As the use of mobile devices continues to climb, use of dedicated apps is also on the rise. These apps are increasingly being used to support learning (Google Classroom, SoloLearn, iTunes U, ClassNote), social interaction (WhatsApp, Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube) and work practises (from calendars to email and collaborative tools).
Advantages of mobile phone apps
Simplicity. Mobile apps generally need very little instruction on how to use them
They help to engage pupils in education as well as providing them with greater access to educational materials
They create more interactive ways for us to communicate with family and friends across the world
They allow more opportunities for flexible working, such as working from home or outside normal office hours
Disadvantages of mobile phone apps
As web applicationSoftware that runs in a web browser. Most websites are web applications which use scripting to make the site interactive. are designed to be cross platform, unlike native appApplications created for a specific device., they cannot harness the potential of all the hardware (camera, sensors, etc.) of different devices
Native apps may have to be coded for two or more environments (e.g., iOS and Android).
Mobile appls may require access to personal information on your phone. This may feel invasive and could be a potential security weakness
Mobile websites may not contain all the information or functionality of their desktop counterparts
In some cases, mobile apps may be more of a distraction from learning in educational settings. Some commentators claim they accelerate information overload