From homework assignments to meal plans, colleges in China are increasingly using apps to provide student services. However, many students complained that schools’ insistent use of apps is having an adverse effect on students, instead of making campus life easier, Xinhua News Agency reported.
On December 2, students at Changsha University of Science & Technology voiced dissatisfaction after they were informed a dedicated app would be required to access their dormitory showers.
This reflects a growing trend as schools across China move toward app-based services. While many praise their convenience, others are complaining the sheer number of apps has become a burden on students. Some schools are requiring more than ten dedicated apps to handle things like paying electricity fees, singing up for classes and other services. Worse still, some apps are plagued with commercial ads and personal information leaks.
Currently there is a big push to develop “smart campuses” in China, which many experts see as an inevitable trend. But some students complain the prevalence of apps has become a nuisance, said Li Bin, sociology professor at Central South University.
Ding Jiayong, a professor at Hunan Normal University, suggested that schools follow suit with some universities that have created their own all-in-one platforms.
Li added that schools should first strengthen supervision while developing apps to ensure they meet demand and are secure. Students should also be provided the choice to access the same services without the app, which instead should aim to attract users with extra features and more convenience.
User experience should be the focus of smart campuses. Apps will only be valuable if they focus on effectively serving teachers and students, as well as inhibit the proliferation of ads and false information, Ding said.
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