We have released a new update to the Art Institute of Boston app today. This update brings a new interface, that loads faster and acts more efficiently. There are now four blogs included of different departments at AIB.

App features include:

• - News from the AIB Facebook feed
• - Shuttle Schedule from all the Lesley Campuses
• - Mobile view of student artwork
• - Library searching
• - Links to department blogs

This app update has been rebuilt from scratch on an HTML5 and CSS architecture, using the PhoneGap open source web-app framework. This allows for faster, more efficient design, usability and updating.

If you already own the app, update today! If you are interested in the Art Institute of Boston, download the app to see all that AIB has to offer.

If you’re asking, ‘Where is Dirk+Weiss!?’, then this may satisfy your curiosity, we hope. Truth is, we are the busiest we have ever been. Maybe a clear sign of a rebounding economy? We have been busy working steadily with our clients to provide the best solutions possible.

Since May, we have broken new ground with our website client from India, and are almost ready to launch a brand new website for them. We have also been in talks for a few new Apple iOS apps with local companies here in Boston, that range from utilities to more advanced experiential applications.

On a more technical note, we have gone 100% HTML5 and JavaScript in lieu of Flash for web and mobile based projects. While we believe flash can still have appropriate applications, the ever growing sector of mobile devices and platforms has shown it’s demand for such lightweight, open programming environments. And at the end of the day, we are looking at solutions for our clients that can range from computer screens to mobile devices, maximizing return on investment, as this is the road we are all on as consumers.

As the summer continues, we are preparing for a busy fall. We have some projects in the pipeline, and are working on what seems like a million things all the time. In addition to all the new projects that we are working towards, Matthew White of DW is working hard expanding his teaching experience over at the Art Institute of Boston @ Lesley University and Bunker Hill Community College teaching marketing and design classes.

Stay tuned to dirkweiss.com for a fresh, new, fast, efficient look coming soon. While the economy is rebounding, we all still live in an environment where trimming the economic fat is a necessity. If you’re unsure who to contact about your new design or marketing project, just give us a ring.

It seems in the last few weeks, the topic of mobile devices and college students has come to my attention frequently. There has been quite a bit of discussion online and on college campuses about the distraction factor of student cell phone usage (i.e. texting, instead of listening to the instructor).

The first wave came from an email I received from the department chair at The Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University. His email was proposing a design wide faculty meeting based on the feedback he received from instructors about “technology distractions”. Observations were made that students are missing key points, due to laptop and cell phone usage during class.

The second wave came from an article on Wired about the very same issue. In this case, the private college took part in a research study that introduces iPhones and iPod touches into the curriculum. The study was a two-fold experiment. The students could choose a device to utilize in their studies, and the instructors must integrate the devices into their curriculum’s. The goal here being to reach the students with the tools that they already are accustomed to. The college had fantastic results. The experiment was a success.

The third wave, and connector for me, is my experience teaching design to 16-17 year old pre-college students. Also known as the future undergraduate design students of the world.

I noticed at the beginning of my class in September, the abundant texting going on with my students. The first thought in my mind was, ‘wait, this could be a distraction problem’. As I began to think about this situation, I decided not to bring up the topic of their phone usage during class, and took the opportunity to observe their behavior. There are some interesting results from my observations.

I found out of all the students (ten total) that one or two may have had a distraction issue when texting. The other students could very easily multi-task and take part in discussion. I also polled the class about their experiences in their high school about their texting. The consensus was in each high school, there was some sort of reprimand for (getting caught) texting during class. These reprimands ranged from withholding of the device, or contacting parents, or detention. They also gave me some great insight on how to text message friends while keeping the phone concealed.

Also, most students could text without even looking at the phone.

So, what does this say? Are students distracted by texting? Or is it time for a fundamental shift in pedagogies. The students in my class answered questions with fast response times, and we’re able to take direction with ease. The model featured in the Wired article above, is just one of many examples of colleges and professors asking critical questions about their teaching model.

What is the answer to mobile tech in the classroom? Maybe a good start, is to ask the students about what they know.

photo: MacDailyNews.com

Indeed! This guy is not alone when it comes to the lure of the iPhone and its apps. We have been busy at Dirk+Weiss. Looks like the economy is starting to bounce back, as businesses seem to be coming out of the shadows once again.

This week, we had two new inquiries for iPhone Apps, finished a small business website and marketing plan, and started a new Dirk+Weiss initiative.What’s the inititiave? Well, lets just say its not about the small, but about the Huge. More to come…

Also, we have been cranking away at creating two new artist websites for one particular client. These sites are turning out quite nice, and utilize some great combinations of flash driven galleries, based on simple to use Content Management. They really showcase the works of the artists, by keeping the interface clean. These sites are in beta stage now.

If you haven’t seen our earlier post, Matt White (Dirk+Weiss) is teaching for the pre-college program over at the Art Institute of Boston (AIB) at Lesley University. So far, students have really stretched their brain muscle and come up with some great concepts. Not to mention the fact, that when asked to create and brainstorm ‘the perfect design scenario’, printed design was not the focus. The focus was on technology, smart devices, and interface. Keep in mind, these students are 16 and 17 years old. The future designers of the world! Nice! Check out the Facebook page for his class ‘Graphic Design Techniques‘.

We will keep you updated with our design adventure of course, and the development of the next great Dirk+Weiss initiative, which again, will be ‘huge’.

Thats all for now, and don’t forget to get on our email list. Scroll up to “Keep Updated” on your right side.

Thanks!

Widely used at colleges and universities, Blackboard is the most common, privately licensed, Learning Management System. Students can use Blackboard to see grades, participate in discussions, share files and notes etc…

Recently I was invited to teach a class over at the Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University. I was promptly emailed credentials on how to log-in to my Blackboard account, and begin building my course. A few problems with that though, and one big one being that I am not familiar with the interface! The other issue being the cumbersome, and somewhat antiquated, posting abilities.

Solution? Facebook.

After finding out that my students already had Facebook accounts, it seemed only logical to build a Facebook fan page. Think about it…

I need to post videos, links to blogs, links to syllabus and course materials, upload photos and media, and message the entire class. Facebook can do all these things. And, the bonus being my students and I already know how to use Facebook. It’s like second nature. Also, Facebook puts a nice presentation on posted items such as videos and links, making them more enticing to the end user.

Yes, there is a Facebook / Blackboard connector app, but my two attempts to use it, resulted in errors and warning messages that the URL I typed has Blocked this app to access it. This is probably due to lack of support by the college network admins, security, and just plain lack of knowing. Pretty far from a solution. I am also aware that some instructors enjoy the use of copyrighted media behind school login credentials. Great. Leave the copyrighted content in Blackboard or authenticate some other way. There is tons of terabytes of servers out there. Or there is also only displaying public domain content via YouTube or other services…

Using Facebook to empower you and your students is pretty much a genius idea. Not only can your students benefit directly, others can watch the progress of your class and through downloads, photos and other media. MIT paved the way with it’s Open Courseware concept. Having your class content open to the public is like “taking the cover off the magical box, and revealing the secrets that lie within”.