Dive Brief:

• Versal on Wednesday announced the release of its new mobile player for iOS and Android devices.
• According to a blog post, the mobile-optimized player is not an app, but transforms the desktop experience of the company's interactive courses — including its gadgets — for the small screen.
• The mobile player was developed in response to feedback from educators, who told Versal that while not all students have access to a computer at home, most do have access to a smartphone or tablet.

Dive Insight:

Offering a mobile player shows Versal's desire to meet students where they are: on their smartphones and tablets. As stated above, most students likely have smartphone access at home if they don't have a computer available, and many schools have deployed tablets in the classroom, as well. 

This makes mobile compatibility a necessity, regardless of whether the platform is app- or browser-based, especially if Versal wants to offer the easiest platform for teachers and students to collaboratively create their own online courses. As we've previously reported, Versal co-founder Gregor Freund sees the platform facilitating blended, flipped, and student-led learning, with its current focus primarily on the K-12 space. For more on the background of his vision, check out our interview from the platform's early days.