Notifications

Notifications are pop-up alert messages. Depending on your device, they may be accompanied by an alert sound.

When you download the App for the first time, a pop-up message asks if you would like to receive Push Notifications. Clicking OK enables notifications. If you do not wish to receive them, or you are unsure whether you enabled notifications, you can check in the Settings menu on your device.

Badges

Badges are small round red circles shown next to the App icon on your device's home screen. The badges display a number; this represents the number of important new items added to the App since you last visited.

Updating the App

The App is a professional ‘native' App. This means that the App and its contents are saved to your device (Phone or Tablet).  This makes it quicker and easier to use and also means you can use it offline.  The App will pick up the latest updates from the server, either automatically, or by your actions.

When you press the App icon on your device's home screen, the App will open and automatically attempt to retrieve the latest updates from the server. Whilst this is in progress, you will see the static updating screen.

If your device is not connected to the internet, an error message will be displayed. You can still access the App offline but you will not see any updates sent to the App since you last updated.

Once you have reconnected to the internet, you can simply pull down any list view to refresh the App.

If you are in an area with weak mobile coverage, the App may take longer to update. You can skip the update by clicking on the X in the top right hand corner of the update screen. This will allow you to access the App content in offline mode.

Once you are in an area with better coverage, you can simply pull down any list view to refresh the App.

To prevent the annoyance of multiple updates while you are moving in and out of the App, it will wait one hour before triggering a second automatic update. You can trigger a manual update at anytime by simply pulling down any list view to refresh the App.

Navigation

The main App navigation menu can be found by pressing the Menu icon in the top left of the screen. Modules such as Welcome, News Feed, Features, Calendar and Directory can be selected from this menu.

Indicating New Content

The App will indicate new content with an exclamation mark - !  This is displayed in the menu next to modules with new content.  New items are also indicated in the list view with an exclamation mark.

Viewing a module resets the indicator until the next time the App updates and new content is added.

Filters

The Filters function allows you to select which items you would like to see in your News Feed.

The Filters function also allows you to choose whether you would like to view information from . You have the option to select Junior or Senior School. Your selection will also control which notifications you receive.

News Feed

The News Feed module is a scrolling list of the most interesting items from the App, plus feeds from Facebook, Twitter and School Sports. Pulling the list down refreshes the App with any updates.

Scanning the list of entries in the News Feed view, you will see they can be different colours, sizes and formats. You can touch on any of the entries in the News Feed view and items resident in the App will open up directly to reveal further information. Some may trigger a pop-up menu with options to telephone or email the contact directly. Other options such as displaying a map or a website may also be available.

Clicking on the down arrow in the view will allow you to share the post by email, Facebook and Twitter, if these services have been set up on your device. Touching a Facebook, Twitter or School Sports item will open it in the relevant location, but you will need to have an active internet connection to access these online pages. A pop-up message is displayed to remind you.

Features

The Features module displays feature news items from our websites. Press on any item to open the news item. Pressing the back arrow button at the top left of the screen takes you back to the previous screen.

Pressing the thumbnail image and title will allow you to share the item by email, Facebook or Twitter if these services have been set up on your device.  You may also have the option to access the original news item on the website.

Calendar

The Calendar module displays calendar events in an easy-to-use format.  It can be used in the following ways:

Touch on the date to reveal the calendar. The calendar then allows you to pick a particular date and dates with events are indicated by a black dot.

Click on the calendar icon in the header bar to toggle between the daily view, or list of all events.

Use the search function by selecting the magnifying glass icon on the header bar to search all events.

Touching any of the events will trigger a pop-up menu. This menu offers the ability to save the calendar event to your personal calendar, if your device is compatible. Additional options to telephone or email may be shown and in some cases the menu may offer other options such as displaying a map or a website.

Some events will offer a ‘More Details’ option which will open the event details page. Pressing the back arrow button at the top left of the screen takes you back to the previous screen.

Clicking on the cog icon at the top right of the screen opens the category page. Select the category of your choice. The App will save your selection.

Staff Directory

The Directory module is a directory of staff contacts. It works in a similar way to the Calendar module. Click on the Staff Directory tab and you can search the alphabetical contact list, complete with photo and job title. You can touch to select any of the contacts which will trigger a pop-up menu with options to telephone or email. Other options such as displaying a map or a website may also be available.

You can use the search function by selecting the magnifying glass icon on the header bar to search all contacts.  

Some contacts will offer a ‘More Details’ option which will open an additional page. Pressing the back arrow button at the top left of the screen takes you back to the previous screen.

Clicking on the cog icon at the top right of the screen opens the category page.  Select the category of your choice. The App will save your selection.

Other Menu Options

Other menu options may be available. You can touch to select any of the items. Some may trigger a pop-up menu with options to telephone or email. Other options such as displaying a map or a website may also be available.

Some items will open to reveal more details. Pressing the back arrow button at the top left of the screen takes you back to the previous screen.

Help & Feedback

If you need help or would like to provide feedback, please complete our online feedback form or email us: contact@apptree.co.uk

Updated 4/4/2016