NSCC's Mobile App Guide for Teaching and Learning: How-To

Get the best free iPhone and iPad apps of the day here!

Platform(s): iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch

Cost: Free

Web Resources: Apps Gone Free, iTunes

Ideas for Educational Use: Keep an eye out for education-related apps that might be of use to yourself or your students.

Tips and Considerations: Looking for free Android apps? Check out Droid of the Day.

To project from your mobile device while connected to the smart classroom podium (tethered), you will need an adapter that allows you to hook directly to the VGA male cable. Please refer to your device's manual for additional information for adapters and projecting your mobile device onto other screens to determine which adapter, and possibly converter, you may require. 

NSCC classrooms are gradually being equiped with HDMI cables. In such instances, faculty will have a choice of VGA male or HDMI cables for projection.

Please contact Instructional Technology and Design at itd@northshore.edu for more information about projecting tethered.

Credit: VGA cable image courtesy of the Creative Commons.

Currently, Instructional Technology and Design is exploring various options that would allow faculty to project from their mobiles devices without being physically connected to the podium (untethered) in the classroom. A couple of  current options, include: Air Server (for mirroring of images and documents) and Electric Slide (for mirroring PowerPoints when using iPads or iPhones).

Please check back regularly for any updates or recommendations on projecting from your mobile device untethered. We also encourage you to contact Instructional Technology and Design at itd@northshore.edu for more information about projecting untethered. 

Here are some tips for using a mobile device in the NSCC classroom:

1. Be sure to log in to the NSCC wireless network when first arriving to class (particularly for apps that require an Internet connection, such as those that stream video).
2. Turn off push notifications.
3. Close all apps but the ones you plan to use.
4. Make sure the battery is charged before class or that you can charge while using.
5. When relevant, make sure the sound is on (or off).
6. Identify what app you are using (students may want to know or acquire this app).
7. Be sure to have the right adapter(s).
8. If displaying untethered, be sure to also bring adapter(s) for backup purposes.
9. Do a dry run in the specific classroom you are teaching in before using a mobile device with your students.

To utilize the wireless network on your mobile device (instead of your data plan), connect to the NSCC wireless network through the "Settings" on your mobile device. If connecting to the NSCC wireless with that device for the first time, use "northshore" (all lower case) for the network security password.

Once you have configured the wireless settings, open a browser and you will be directed to the NSCC wireless log in page. If you are not automatically directed to the log in page, try to go to any website. It should redirect you to the log in page. If the log in page does not appear, try accessing the URL directly: Danvers Campus, Lynn Campus, Beverly Campus.

On the log in page, enter your Pipeline username and password into the appropriate fields. Check the user agreement box and click "Log In." For additional information, please refer to NSCC's Wireless Network documentation.