For this app review we are looking at Flipboard; a news and reading app that can also be used for curating online content.
Unlike many apps which moved from desktop computers or the web to mobile devices, Flipboard was made for mobile. Its beautiful layout and interface is seen at its very best on tablets and smartphones.
Flipboard describes itself as ‘a single place to discover, collect and share the news you care about’. As well as bringing together publications you want to read, such as national and local newspapers, you can add blogs that you want to follow and social networks like Twitter, Facebook and Googleplus. Think of it as your own personalised daily paper with sections you have chosen yourself.
Reading is only half the Flipboard story, though. You can also use the app and/or a browser bookmarklet to create your own magazines. These can be private or public, created individually or collaboratively and are easily shared by sending a link or embedding them in a web page. You can also add comments to the content in Flipboard.
To see what a Flipboard magazine looks like, why not have a look at Anne Hole’s HE Teach and Tech Flipboard magazine or browse the Big Ideas category to find something that interests you.
Flipboard is easy to use and there are some quick tutorials to help you.
Is it free?
Yes, Flipboard is free.
Will it work on my device?
Flipboard has apps for iOS, Android, Windows, Blackberry, Kindle Fire & NOOK. You can also browse a Flipboard magazine on the web if you have the URL and there are some web tools available.
Where can I get the app?
Links to all the versions of the app are on the Flipboard website
Flipboard also comes pre-installed on many Android devices.
Ideas for using Flipboard in learning and teaching
- Subscribe to magazines on topics related to your research.
- Create magazines around topics related to your modules – share them with students and perhaps invite them to contribute content.
- Let students create Flipboard magazines as a form of presentation – showing they can find, select and annotate relevant online material around a topic.
What are the alternatives?
Here are some alternatives to Flipboard you may want to look at. None of them have
quite the same functionality, but each does some similar things:
If you would like help with using Flipboard or to discuss how this or any other mobile app could help you in your teaching or learning, please get in touch with the TEL team.
Image with thanks to Shardayyy, creative commons licensed (BY) flickr photo by Shardayyy: http://flickr.com/photos/shardayyy/5620336391
Image with thanks to Jorge Quinteros, creative commons licensed (BY-NC-ND) flickr photo by Jorge Quinteros: http://flickr.com/photos/jorgeq82/6495078887
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