2010 Virginia Mobile Learning Apps Development Challenge Virginia Department of Education Apple Guidelines for Participation Overview The Virginia Department of Education, in collaboration with Apple, is issuing a second challenge for developers to produce mobile learning applications. This year the challenge will focus on apps that engage middle school students in social studies. Topics for the challenge were determined by an analysis of student performance by question data from last year’s Standards of Learning (SOL) tests. The 2010 Virginia Mobile Learning Apps Development Challenge is part of Learning without Boundaries (LwB), an initiative launched with support from the Productivity Investment Fund. This initiative is aimed at understanding the potential benefits of wireless handheld technologies in schools. Nearly all children in the United States have access to a mobile device: 93% of 6-to-9 year olds live in a home with a cell phone; more than 50% own a portable video game device; 30% have a personal cell phone; and 20% have personal digital music players. In short, mobile devices are an integral part of children’s lives. The challenge now is to leverage these devices effectively for teaching and learning; however, devices alone cannot achieve this goal. They must be coupled with meaningful learning applications. Perhaps the best example is Apple’s App Store for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. Since its launch in June 2008, more than 261,000 applications have been developed for these devices, ranging from games, to utilities, to social networking, to medical uses. More than 17,000 education apps are currently available. The purpose of the 2010 Virginia Mobile Learning Apps Development Challenge is not simply to add to the growing collection of iPod touch, iPhone, and iPad apps but rather to meet specific learning needs—as identified through an analysis of student performance by question data from last year’s Standards of Learning tests. Furthermore, these new applications should use the features of handheld technologies to represent and model important social studies concepts and skills that will encourage student-directed learning and enrichment beyond. Eligibility This competition is open to anyone; however, applicants must accept and abide by Apple’s App Store Terms and Conditions. Requirements Applications must be developed for use on the iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch. Applications must be made available to users free of charge on the Apple App Store. Applications must specifically address one or more of the stated priorities. Applications must be developmentally appropriate for middle school students. Priorities Applications should reflect one or more of the following priorities: Analyze and interpret United States maps Translate geographic data into graphs Sequence events in United States history in chronological order Obtain historical data from a variety of primary sources Participate in planning for effective civic action Identify international issues that require local decision making Use an economic decision-making model Identify the characteristics of the United States economic system These priorities represent middle school geography, civics, economics, and American history. Applicants should review the Virginia History/Social Science Standards of Learning (SOL) for these priorities and the corresponding curriculum framework to create the applications. Criteria for Judging The following will be considered in determining the best overall applications: Content Instructional design/pedagogy Technical/code quality User experience Extent to which the application leverages the capabilities of the device Awards $15,000 First Place $10,000 Second Place $5,000 Third Place The first-place award will also receive a consultation with and support from Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, the venture-capital group that manages the iFund, a $200 million investment initiative supporting, transformative, market-changing ideas and products that build upon the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Award Announcements Winning entries will be announced and highlighted at the National School Boards Association 2010 T+L Conference being held October 19-21 in Phoenix, Arizona. Submission Guidelines Developers will retain all rights to the applications developed in response to this solicitation. Interested developers should register to participate as soon as possible by clicking the Take the Challenge button below. After registration, submissions must be uploaded to Apple’s App Store by 5:00 PM EDT on September 17, 2010, to be considered. Judging A distinguished panel of judges from across the nation will be assembled to determine the winners of the 2010 Virginia Mobile Learning Apps Development Challenge. Contact Information For more information, contact Sara Marchio, Special Projects Coordinator, at sara.marchio@doe.virginia.gov or (804) 786-0877. The Virginia Department of Education will provide an overview of the data, discuss priorities, and answer specific questions about these topics upon request.