Build your first app with Curtin’s latest MOOC

Budding digital entrepreneurs across the globe will be given the ‘app’-ortunity to launch their very own iOS app as part of Curtin University’s latest Massive Open Online Course (MOOC).

The free, seven-week MOOC, delivered through the edX online learning platform, is the first of three professional courses designed to teach online learners how to design and build an iOS app using Apple’s Swift programming language.

The three-stage program will cover the tools and techniques needed to build an app, how to integrate augmented reality into iOS apps, and a step-by-step guide from start to finish including preparing an app for the App Store.

The first course, titled ‘Build your very first iOS app’, starts on April 30, and is currently open for enrolments.

Course Coordinator Dr David McMeekin, from Curtin’s School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, said the MOOC offered beginners the opportunity to learn coding language and build a functioning app.

“This MOOC will help educate the programmers of tomorrow, regardless of their skill level, to build their very first app in an easy and accessible way through its online delivery and simplicity,” Dr McMeekin said.

“Technology is increasingly becoming a greater part of our lives and this course will provide the tools, knowledge and essential skills for online learners to build an app and take their business ideas into the digital age.”

Curtin University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic Professor Jill Downie said online education continued to evolve and innovate to ensure the next generation capitalised on the latest developments available.

“This new online program is innovative and relevant to people all over the globe who may be interested in turning their business or technology ideas into a functioning app,” Professor Downie said.

“Through our relationship with edX, Curtin offers greater flexibility to online learners by presenting new and innovative ways for them to learn new skills and develop their existing qualifications.”

Participants can enrol now in Build your very first iOS app, which starts on April 30, 2019. It will run in self-paced mode so participants can complete the course at any time.

The second course, titled ‘Work with augmented reality and the web’, will begin on July 30, 2019 and the third course, titled ‘Create an iOS app from start to finish’, will start on October 8, 2019.

To successfully complete this course, participants will need access to an Apple Mac computer or laptop capable of running macOS10.14 and Xcode 10.

Curtin is the only university in Western Australia in the edX Consortium.

*A video outlining the new MOOC is available here.