South Kent Students Dive into Android-Based App Development with MIT App Inventor
Students at South Kent School are exploring the exciting world of Android-based smartphone app development through a new class that utilizes MIT and Google’s App Inventor platform. This web-based environment enables them to create real-world applications using simple drag-and-drop features for both design and coding. Each student can instantly test their projects on mobile devices using the MIT App Inventor Companion App.
Early lessons focus on user interface (UI) design and the actions triggered when users tap or swipe their screens. Building on these fundamentals, students have now embarked on a more advanced project: creating a digital version of the classic arcade game “Whack-A-Mole.” This engaging exercise requires them to integrate dynamic user interaction, timing mechanisms, and score tracking—all while emphasizing collaborative problem-solving.
STEM faculty member, Tim Smith, who teaches the App Inventor class, says, “I feel programming, also known as coding, is both a science and an art. It is a science because of the use of technology, structure and discipline. While there are multiple paths to a solution, each path does have its own set of rules. It is an art because, essentially, you start with a blank canvas and create something that has never existed before. I try to take these two ideas and incorporate them into all of the teaching I do, so our students understand that science also has its own beauty and purpose.”
Before coding began, the class held a design discussion to plan functionality, user interface flow, and overall gameplay experience. Such discussions reflect real-world software development practices, highlighting how thoughtful planning is essential for successful projects.
By the end of the term, students will have gained valuable experience in both the technical and creative aspects of mobile app development, opening doors to further exploration in the rapidly growing field of software engineering.