With the newest versions of Ashford Mobile and Rockies Mobile, students and instructors at Ashford University and University of the Rockies can access their online classroom with native iPad® and Android®-tablet apps. The expansion of Ashford Mobile and Rockies Mobile to support these devices is another step in the universities’ ongoing quest to provide students with innovative learning technology.
Originally introduced for Apple’s iPhone®, Ashford Mobile and Rockies Mobile users can now connect with their coursework, classroom dialogues, university news, instructor support and student services through iPhones, iPads and Android-powered smart phones and tablet devices. Just as importantly, more apps are on the way. Both Ashford University and University of the Rockies – academic institutions of Bridgepoint Education, Inc (NYSE: BPI) – continue to benefit from ongoing development of the software architecture supporting Ashford and Rockies Mobile.
“We began to engineer Ashford and Rockies Mobile for the iPad and tablets as soon as we could,” stated Cory Jones, director of software development for Bridgepoint Education. “Between the opportunity to support more students with our mobile apps, expand the online classroom and take advantage of the high-profile market presence of the new iPads and tablets, it was at the top of our to-do list.”
Development of native Ashford Mobile and Rockies Mobile apps for big-screen devices evolved from the processes established by Bridgepoint’s Learning Resources and Publishing (LRP) and Business Technology Services (BTS) departments while creating the original Ashford Mobile and Rockies Mobile. Because of the increased working space on iPads and tablets, special attention was paid to providing a pleasing interface that supported multiple presentations of divergent data, particularly while running other university apps. Lessons were applied from the development teams’ experience in comprehensive app design, and extensive student and faculty surveys contributed valuable user insight that helped shape the final applications.
As of the publication of this release, both Apple iPad and Android-powered tablet versions of Ashford Mobile and Rockies Mobile are available to students and instructors via Apple’s App Store (apple.com/ipad/from-the-app-store/) and Android’s Market (market.android.com/).
About Bridgepoint Education
Bridgepoint Education’s postsecondary education services focus on offering associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in such disciplines as business, education, psychology, social sciences and health sciences. Bridgepoint Education’s regionally accredited academic institutions – Ashford University and University of the Rockies – deliver their programs online as well as at traditional campuses located in Clinton, Iowa, and Colorado Springs, Colorado. For more information about Bridgepoint Education, visit www.bridgepointeducation.com or call Shari Rodriguez, associate vice president of Public Relations at 858.668.2580.
About Ashford University
Founded in 1918, Ashford University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association (www.ncahlc.org). The University offers graduate and undergraduate degree programs online and at its Clinton, Iowa, campus. The University is known for its high quality yet highly affordable online and on-campus programs. For more information, please visit www.ashford.edu or call Shari Rodriguez, associate vice president of Public Relations, at 858.513.9240 x2513.
About University of the Rockies
University of the Rockies is a graduate school specializing in master's and doctorate degree programs in the social and behavioral sciences. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association (www.ncahlc.org), classes are offered online and at the University's Colorado Springs, Colorado, campus. For more information, please visit www.rockies.edu or call Shari Rodriguez, associate vice president of Public Relations, at 866.621.0124 x2513.