MOBILE APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT

Society is daily moving to a constant feed of communication, transfer of information, and the need to access or process information in a mobile environment. Mobile Applications are necessary to provide users with the ability to be productive while away from their full computers. Mobile Applications can be used as a lite version of something that would be done on a full computer, or they can provide a tool for something that users would only need to do on their phone.

This event consists of two (2) parts: a prejudged mobile application and a performance component. Participant(s) are required to complete both parts to be eligible to win an award. The program must address the topic given. Performances should describe the program completed. Specifically, the performance should address the program creation, processes used, and results of the program.

COMPETENCIES

The topic for this program will be announced in the Chapter Management Handbook that comes from the national office. In addition, it will be announced in the State Adviser Briefings.

ELIGIBILITY

Participants must have paid state and national dues postmarked by February 15 of the current school year.

State Each chapter may enter one (1) individual or team composed of two or three (2 or 3) active local members. Participants must be on record in the FBLA-PBL national office as having paid dues by February 15 of the current school year.

This is an individual or team event. In the case of a team, it must be composed of two to three (2-3) members. The individual may not have competed in this event at a prior National Leadership Conference or placed 1st or 2nd in this event at a previous State Leadership Conference. In the case of a team, no more than one (1) team member may have competed in this event at a prior National Leadership Conference or placed 1st or 2nd in this event at a previous State Leadership Conference.

National See publication: Chapter Management Handbook—current edition.

REGULATIONS

State When it has been determined that a team will represent the charter at state competition, the appropriate entry form must be sent to the state adviser received by the date specified in the SLC registration packet.

National See publication: Chapter Management Handbook—current edition.

• Participants in this event must be registered for the State Leadership Conference or their entry will not be judged. Finalists must complete both parts of the event to be eligible to win an award.
• Projects must be submitted as a URL with a Statement of Assurance to be received by the date listed in the State Conference Registration Packet.
• The individual or team will research the topic, and then create a mobile application on the national topic.
• The prejudged submission must include the source code and screen shots of the GUI in PDF format for review.
• The solution must run standalone with no programming errors.
• May use one of the following platforms to develop the mobile application: Google’s Android™, Apple iOS™ or Microsoft Windows Phone™.
• The application may deploy from a smartphone, tablet, or both, but must be smartphone deployable.
• The application must be presented to the judges (projection equipment may be used).
• The application does not need to be available for download from a digital-distribution multimedia content service such as Google Play™, Apple Store, or Microsoft.

• Based on the highest prejudged project scores, a maximum of five individuals or teams will be selected to make an oral presentation at the State Leadership Conference. The individuals or teams selected will be notified prior to the State Leadership Conference…only these five will participate in the presentation.
• A maximum of fifteen (15) finalists—or an equal number from each group—will advance to the final round. The prejudged program score will be used to break a tie.
• Five (5) minutes will be allowed to set up and remove equipment or presentation items.
• The following will be provided: Internet, screen, power, and table. Access may not be via WiFi, so participants should plan appropriately when selecting laptops/tablets on which to present.
• The individual will have seven (7) minutes to describe the program, address copyright laws, explain development software used, and explain features and functionality.
• A timekeeper will stand at six (6) minutes and again at seven (7) minutes. When each individual or team is finished, the timekeeper will record the time used noting a deduction of five (5) points for any presentation over seven (7) minutes. . When the presentation is finished, the timekeeper will record the time used, noting a deduction of five (5) points for any time over seven (7) minutes.
• Following each presentation, judges will conduct a three (3) minute question-answer period.
• Visual aids and samples related to the project may be used (including a mobile device with the App loaded); however, no items may be left with the judges or audience.

JUDGING

Programs will be judged by a panel of judges prior to the State Leadership Conference. Presentations will be judged by a panel of judges during the State Leadership Conference. All judges’ decisions are final.

AWARDS

State State awards for the top five places are presented at the State Leadership Conference.

National The number of awards presented at the National Leadership Conference is determined by judges and/or number of entries. The maximum number will be ten.