Education apps (Windows)

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The education app idea book describes a fictional education app for Windows 8. You can gain inspiration for the design of your own education app by reviewing the scenarios in this topic and seeing how the Windows 8 Microsoft design language is utilized in the app.

Education app scenarios

The education app described in this topic uses Microsoft design features to create an engaging education experience for teachers and students.

Teacher	Student

Draw users into the content of your app

You can use the Microsoft design language to easily access media from the file system. You can also use live tiles to draw users into your app. Follow along with this scenario to see how you can show content in your education app that is relevant to the user.

large image of teacher using an education app

The Teacher view gives an overview of the teacher's day, organized by class. Selecting another class instantly reveals the relevant content.

image of the teacher's schedule

The teacher views all of her current tasks in the assignment overview and selects the Add button from the app bar to add a new assignment.

image of teacher tasks

From the pannable assignment view she can add details about the assignment, add students and groups, include grading information, and associate resources for the assignment.

image of a panoramic view where a teacher can create an assignment

The teacher uses the file picker to add video files to an assignment.

image of the file picker choosing from the videos library

After she has finished creating the assignment, the teacher publishes the assignment to the students.

image of the teacher publishing the assignment

The live tile for the Lucern LBS app receives a pushed update and alerts the student about the new assignment.

image of a student viewing a live tile update

Summary of app content

In the first scenario, we see that...

You can place large amounts of content onto one panoramic canvas.
You can easily access files and media from the file system.
You can use live tiles to draw users back into your app with information that is relevant to them.

For information on live tiles, panning, and the AppBar, see the following:

Continually engage with users

You can use the Microsoft design language to engage users using toast notifications and by keeping your app available in snapped view. You can easily share information from your app with other apps.

Steve is working on his Microsoft PowerPoint presentation when he receives a toast notification about a new assignment.

image of a student receiving a toast notification

Steve selects the toast and the Lucerne LBS app launches and navigates to the assignment page for Steve's assignment. The assignment page lists chapters from a textbook and a web article, along with the members of his group.

image of an assignment page

Steve views the assignment using snap view and clicks on the web links provided.

image of snapped view

Steve views the web site while taking notes in the Lucerne LBS app in snap view.

image of taking notes in snapped view

After reviewing his notes in full screen view, Steve swipes in the Share charm and sends the notes to his group members.

image of sharing notes using email

Summary of driving user engagement

In the second scenario, we see that...

Toast notifications deep link into your app and give the user an opportunity to re-engage with your content.
A fully-featured snap view lets your users increase their engagement with your app.
You can make your app into a Share source and send content, links, or any other type of structured data.

For information on toast notifications, snapped view, and Share, see the following:

Explore the possibilities

Windows 8 is full of new features that can make your app shine. For more information, see the Windows 8 Product Guide for Developers.

Education apps