Mobile Learning, the Changing Faces of Library Services and the Indian Scenario

1. Mobile Learning, the Changing Faces of Library Services and the Indian Scenario

2. What is Mobile Learning? • Mobile Learning (M-Learning) is the point where mobile computing and e-learning intersect to produce an anytime, anywhere learning experiences • Mobile learning is the provision of education and training on PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants)/palmtops/handhelds, smartphones and mobile phones.

3. What is Mobile Learning? • Wikipedia defines mobile learning as “Any sort of learning that happens when the learner is not at a fixed, predetermined location, or learning that happens when the learner takes advantage of the learning opportunities offered by mobile technologies” • Mobile learning, sometimes called m-learning, is learning accomplished with the use of small, portable computing devices. These computing devices may include: smartphones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and similar handheld devices.

4. What is Mobile Learning?

5. What is Mobile Learning? • Clark Quinn defines Mobile Learning as “intersection of mobile computing (the application of small, portable, and wireless computing and communication devices) and e-learning (learning facilitated and supported through the use of information and communication technology)” M-learning

6. Mobile Learning Devices • Portable Media Player • Personal Digital Assistant or PDA • Smart Phone • Laptop/Tablet PC etc..

7. Features • Bluetooth • 3G • Wi-Fi • GPS • Web browser • MP3 player • Camera /Video recorder ,etc

8. Benefits • Helpful for people on the go; • Anytime anywhere access to content; • Can enhance interaction between and among students and instructor; • Great for ‘Just-in-Time’ learning or review of content, etc

9. Limitations • Small screen size • Short battery life • Poor input capabilities • Limited memory capacity • Easily lost or stolen, etc.

10. Indian Scenario • The total wireless subscriber base {GSM, CDMA and WLL (F)} stood at 584.32 million on 31st March 2010. • The number of wire line subscribers on 31st March 2010 was 36.96 million. • There were 16.18 million Internet subscribers on 31st March 2010 as compared to 13.54 million on 31st March 2009. • Besides the internet subscribers mentioned above, there are 117.87 million Wireless data subscribers who are accessing internet through wireless (GSM and CDMA) networks using mobile and other handheld devices. • An average Indian sends 29 SMS per month (Source:TRAI)

11. Initiatives • English Seekho by IL&FS Education and Tata Docomo • mGurujee by Aircel • m-school by Reliance Communication • Learn English by BSNL ,Enablem Technologies ,OnMobile Global • BPUTALERT by Biju Patnaik University of Technology

12. Possibilities in Library & Information Services

13. Possibilities in Library & Information Services • Mobile Reference , Instruction and Text Alert services • Mobile Online Public Access Catalog interface (MOPAC) • Access to E-Books and E-Journal • Mobile Optimized Library Website • QR Code Reader

14. Mobile Reference and Instruction and Text Alerts

15. Libraries offering Mobile instruction ,SMS notification • Denton Public Libraries • Helsinki School of Economics Library, Finland • Open University Library, United Kingdom • Washington State University Libraries

16. Mobile Online Public Access Catalog interface (MOPAC) • WorldCat Local • AirPac • Polaris (Mobile PAC) • LibraryThing (Library Anywhere)

17. Libraries offering Mobile OPAC • Duke Libraries http://library.duke.edu/mobile/ • Harvard College Library http://hcl.harward.edu/mobile/versions • New York University Libraries http://library.nyu.edu.8000/mobile • University of Liverpool Library • Ryerson University Library • Virginia Beach Public Library

18. Access to E-Books and E-Journal • Here are some of the major vendors offering mobile interfaces: • American Institute of Physics iResearch iPhone application • EBSCOhost Mobile • Hoover's Mobile company information • IEEE XPlore • Lexis/Nexis Get Cases and Shepardize • PubMed for Handhelds medical database • Questia iPhone application (iTunes link) • Refworks Mobile • Westlaw legal research database • EBL Ebook Library • Google Books • OverDrive • Safari Books Online • Amazon Kindle for the iPhone (US Only) • Zotero

19. Libraries offering access to Mobile collections • New York Public Library • University of Virginia Library • Duke University Library

20. Mobile Optimized Library Website • Catalog search • Room/computer reservations • Reference information • Opening /Closing Hours • Links to useful mobile content • Due dates, Account Information • Floor maps, News about library events • Audio/Video Tour

21. Libraries offering Mobile Optimized Library Website • American university library http://www.library.american.edu/mobile • Ball State University Library http://www.bsu.edu/libraries/mobiles/ • Boston University Medical Center Mobile Library : http://med-libwww.bu.edu/mobile/ index.cfm

22. Great mobile optimized Library Websites

23. University of Minnesota

24. QR Codes

25. What is QR Code • According to Wikipedia “A QR code (abbreviated from Quick Response code) is a type of matrix barcode (or two-dimensional code) designed to be read by Smartphone. The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The information encoded may be text, a URL, or other data”

26. Application of QR Codes in Library • Send a text to the reference librarian • Library tours • Library orientation • Library Maps

27. Libraries offering QR Codes in Library • University of Bath Library, United Kingdom • University of Lethbridge Library

28. Mobile Marketing using Mobile Social Networks • Library announcements, news, events • Promote/recommend materials • Share relevant local info • Interact with patrons

29. Libraries on Social Network

30. Libraries on Social Network

31. Issues • Privacy Concern • Addressing ongoing issues in digital content • Man power issues and capacity building measures

32. First, assess • What mobile technologies do your patrons use? • How many access the web via a mobile device? Which one(s) are most prevalent? • What social technologies do your patrons use? • What library services would users actually want to use via a mobile device? • What library services can you make accessible via a mobile device?

33. Questions?

34. Thank You