In this article
It is Banana's vision for the teaching of accounting, that the program can be run directly on the student's computer, tablet or smartphone, thus allowing to practice keeping accounting and carrying out exercises and exams, without being connected to the Internet. As a matter of fact, the program is already available for the Windows, Mac and Linux desktop operating systems, as well as for Android and iOS mobile systems. The features offered for the mobile version are in line with that of the desktop version. The program adapts itself automatically to the screen size, presence or absence of the keyboard. Once it is installed, you are able to keep the accounts even if there is no internet connection available.
Banana Accounting for Smartphones and Tablets
In order to be able to introduce accounting learning with the support of software in schools, each student must be able to have access to computers with which to practice, and to carry out homework and exams. Unfortunately, this condition is not yet met. Schools are either not able to provide computers in all classes or not all students have computers to bring to the classroom.
In most parts the world, however, most high school students own a mobile phone and thanks to the advancement of technology, ever more students will have access to smartphones on which it is possible to install the Android or iOS version of Banana Accounting. Students will thus connect to software that allows them to practice with professional accounting software on the device in their possession. At the moment they will have to settle for a small screen, but in a few years these smartphones will be able to turn themselves into computers.
The use of these devices by a student offers significant advantages:
- Even schools that do not have computer classrooms will be able to introduce the use of software in teaching.
- Students know their device very well, there is therefore no need for training for the use of computers, or handling of files.
- Once installed on the mobile, through the app store, students can use the software at any time, even if there is no internet connection.
Smartphones turn into portable computers
Smartphones are becoming increasingly powerful. When switched to Desktop Mode, the new generation of Android phones turn into a actual computers, as soon as they are connected to an external screen.
Thanks to technological advancement, all smartphones will offer this functionality, and so all those who have a mobile phone will also have a computer available. Accessories that allow you to transform your mobile phone into a computer inexpensively, are already appearing on the market. Banana Accounting will allow all students of Business Schools, to learn how to use accounting software other than on small screens only.
Next Dock is an accessory that integrates the screen, keyboard and battery. By simply connecting the smartphone it will turn it into a laptop. It's mode of use is similar to that of Windows. The cost of this accessory is low, because, unlike a laptop, the processor, memory and other very expensive parts are not required. You therefore have the benefit of working directly on your mobile phone, with the internet connection and access to programs and data already available.
Currently the price is above US$ 200, but it is likely that in a few years the price, with an 11-inch screen, could approach US$ 100.
Other solutions are already being envisaged. In the photo you can see a screen with an insert on the back that allows you to insert the mobile phone. Just connect it and your phone becomes a tablet, with the phone acting as a central unit as well as a high resolution camera
Comparison with other tools
Installing Banana Accounting on the student's smartphone / computer offers a great opportunity for schools compared to other solutions:
- Classrooms equipped with computers.
Currently this is the only way to ensure that all students in a school can practice. It is, however not a solution that can be applied to all schools.- Many schools do not have available classrooms that are equipped or do have the necessary funds to face the high installation and management costs.
- Then there is also the problem of availability. Classrooms, that must be shared with other teaching subjects, making it difficult to find available spaces. A few hours a week are not enough to support a comprehensive accounting teaching program. Classrooms should also be available to students after hours to practice and perform the tasks assigned by their teacher and for exams.
- They do not lend themselves to distance learning.
-
Accounting programs that run in the cloud.
- They require constant internet connections and high transmission quality.
- They keep the data on their servers. They are difficult to integrate into an e-learning platform (moodle type) where the teacher makes the exercise files available, the student solves it and reloads the file.