Creating the Ohio State: Discover App

This winter a group of students, staff and developers from Ohio State visited Apple’s Enterprise Design Lab to develop the framework for an app that would help incoming students transition to college. The app, called ‘Discover’, is now available in the app store and is downloaded automatically on to all iPads deployed through Digital Flagship. 

The app contains their orientation schedule, as well as helpful to-do items tailored to the needs of incoming students. Once they’ve left orientation, the app provides tips and tricks for their iPad as well as timely reminders and information about the start of classes. Content will continue to update on the app as students’ progress through their time at Ohio State.

In addition to this curated feed of university information, the app provides class schedule calendars, account updates and updated grades. A course planning feature in the app will help students sketch out a plan of those classes that they might take each semester. Student organization event and meeting lists are available in the app to help students plan to be involved both inside and outside the classroom. 

Learn more about the app creation process and some of its exciting features from the students who participated in the initial design session in Cupertino:

The iPad app is currently available in the app store, and Discover app functionality will be available in the fall on the Ohio State mobile app for smartphones.