Apps on higher edudcation: statistics, info, rankings
We include apps related to various available large scale statistics, rankings, and other information about higher education. Excluded this time are apps that are specifically targeted towards students and instructors, such as various learning and time management apps.
World Bank EdStats DataFinder
Overview and usefulness: The app allows you to sort the data according to country, topic and indicators, in addition to the option to create advanced queries. The countries can be viewed in terms of alphabetical order, regions, and economic development. It is possible to customize the reports based on selected indicators and createvisualisations, in addition to saving these for later viewing. The app is free, and the amount of data available is massive. The statistics cover 2,000 indicators for more than 200 countries.
Drawbacks: Only availabole for iOS for the time being.
THE World University Rankings 2012-2013
Overview and usefulness: An app that visualises the data from the recent Times Higher Education rankings for 2012-2013. In addition to the overall rankings, there is in-depth data per institution. The mapping tool shows the best universities in a gegraphical overview. Overall, easy access to the recent rankings and also allows for customization options.
Drawbacks: A pity the apps are separate for each year, a better option would be to have a single app where one can select various years to avoid clutter on your screen if you would like to have various years handy. In addition, the app is only available for iPhone, without a good version for iPads, or any devices operating with Android.
Higher Education Statistics Agency (UK) stats
Overview and usefulness: Basic available data of UK higher education. The data sets currently includ academic years 2008-09 & 2009-10, and it is possible to examine a number of indicators regarding students, staff and finances of higher education, also in terms of percent wise comparison to previous years to examine trends. If you need quick data on UK available, this can be useful, especially as this does not require any internet/3G connection to function.
Drawbacks: The geographic limitation is clear, as is the fact that Android version yet again is lacking.
Reader for Times Higher Education (THE)
Overview and benefits: The free reader functions are quite basic, as it includes a button to get to the table of contents, a page viewer to examine either one or two pages simultanously on an iPad. However, in addition to this, there is a useful search option to the archives, and it is possible to save whole editions of THE into your own archieve. However, some content is for fee-paying subscribers only.
Drawbacks: Overall, the added functionality c0uld be better, and in many ways the opportunities that can be offered through an app are not used. Though, in its simple version it works great. Yet again, not available for Android.
Reader for the Chronicle of Higher Education
Overview and benefits: An basic free app to read the Chronicle. In addition to the very basic viewer, the options include a quick view of the latest news, opportunities to save stories to your own library.
Drawbacks: Users have reported a number of bugs, and it seems that the app works best if one has a paid subscription to Chronicle, as it seems that the News Stand item does not load at all when tested. Oh and guess what – no Android.
In addition, a number of individual HE institutions have developed their own apps, including Harvard, Stanford, LSE, MIT and University of Texas, but also some Norwegian institutions such as University of Agder and University of Nordland, all of which can be found on the iTunes store.
Do you know of some that are useful that we have not included? Any recommendations?