INTRODUCTION: Good afternoon, I’m Mulenga a Social media apprentice assisting in this Social media project Introduction about what were doing. Central London Connexions App. Connexions Central London (CLC) is working to develop an Information, Advice and Guidance application for young people called ‘Get Connex’d’. The ‘App’ will be developed on a web-based platform, which would be used across any mobile device.
Our key objectives are to develop an App that is accessible to all users on mobile phones; to devise and test an empowerment model with a range of partners; and to provide a unique method which enables young people to source their own information.
The main issues that we were faced with was that young people didn’t know where exactly they can find information, advice or guidance on particular areas such as education choices; personal matters; or events in the area; and we also noticed that they felt uncomfortable asking for assistance, so they were unaware of the different choices, and information available to them. Also, less young people are reading paper based material to find out information.
We used social media to deliver impartial IAG choices into the hands of young people, through mobile devices. And by delivering an application that is available on all mobile phones, this will encourage interaction with young people, which support them in their key decision making in learning, training and work opportunities.
The app will targeted to 13 – 19 year olds, and up to 25 years olds who have learning difficulties, it will also be targeted to parents, so that they too can raise their own awareness. Our main target is to reach 200 pre 16; 200 post 16; 200 young people from youth clubs, from each borough, which amounts to reaching 4,200 young people to sign up for the application.
This shows a site map of the app, what it includes is the home page which will lead to 6 main pages such as Education; Jobs and Training; Advice; Finance; Contacts; and Feedback – which will then lead to other sub headings or pages.
The App will include pre and post 16 options, which will be based about courses and college opportunities
It will allow the young person to sign up for information, allowing alerts to be sent on areas of their choice.
In order to achieve our goals, we are setting up a range of sign up sessions around schools, colleges and youth clubs. The aims of these sign up sessions are to generate awareness about the app, allow young people to preview the app; and encourage young people to sign up.
So far, we have been able to create a mobile web app; and started to implement our promotional plan which were in the process of launching the App to young people.
When we first considered the project we had to appreciate the different platforms that an app can be built on, we needed to understand what these different options were. We had to take into consideration the full implications of developing a native app, which is more costly because it would have to be developed on each mobile device, than developing a web based app which is cost efficient and could be accessed on all internet mobile phone users.