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Tips + Taps: Integrating Apps in the Research Process. April Kelley and Mary Oberlies VLA Annual Conference September 27, 2013. Who & Why. http://techinell.blogspot.com/2012/04/advantages-and-disadvantages-to.html. Objectives.
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Tips + Taps: Integrating Apps in the Research Process April Kelley and Mary Oberlies VLA Annual Conference September 27, 2013
Who & Why http://techinell.blogspot.com/2012/04/advantages-and-disadvantages-to.html
Objectives 1). Create a workshop for students to evaluate and utilize mobile applications for research 2). Survey user needs to plan workshops 3). Develop criteria relevant to audience 4). Find resources to identify relevant apps
Our Final Products http://www.cartoonscrapbook.com/l-p/002/yogis-space-race_L11.htm 3 Workshops Infoguide Appy Hour
DIY in 4 Easy Steps http://www.millionaireplayboy.com/mpb/index.php/gi-joe-season-1-1-dvd/ • Survey • Investigate • Focus • Assess & Adapt
SURVEY Image from: http://www.angelahagebusch.com/2013/06/life-lessons-from-phineas-and-ferb-1
Purpose of Survey • How do students and faculty interact with libraries via social media? • Is there interest in an apps workshop? • What kinds of apps interest students and faculty?
Institutional Review Board (IRB) The Institutional Review Board (IRB) reviews all research activities involving human subjects. Surveys need to go through IRB to determine whether exempt prior to being distributed.
Survey Tools Survey Monkey Limited options for free version - 10 questions/100 responses Confidential Google Forms Free – no limitations on number of questions or responses Confidential Graphs and charts available
Marketing and Distribution • Focus on Arlington Campus students and faculty • Advertised on listservs, library blog, social media, flyers, bookmarks and campus news • Survey link converted to a bit.ly and QR code • Survey ran from January 14 – February 28, 2013
Survey Questions • What types of social media do you use? • What devices do you use for your academic needs? • Would you attend a workshop that demonstrates how you can use apps on your smartphone or tablet to access library resources or to help you with your research needs? • What type of apps would you be interested in learning about?
Results http://picsbox.biz/key/funny%20old%20lady%20cartoon
Mobile Device Preferences Tablets Phones
DIY Tips: Survey • Effective, detailed questions • Google Forms = Happiness • Incentives to increase participation http://collider.com/captain-planet-season-1-dvd-review/
Image from: http://bestofthe80s.wordpress.com/2011/02/17/inspector-gadget/ Investigate
App Identification • Friends • Blogs (reviews) • Libraries • E-Courses (Udemy, ALA, ACRL)
Testing = Playing http://soundcinemas.wordpress.com/2011/03/02/posible-precuela-sobre-los-origenes-de-peter-pan/ • What do the apps do? • Features, bugs, quirks, uses and failures • Become familiar with the apps • Play to your hearts content
Selection Criteria Customizable to the needs of your patrons What have you observed about your patrons? Pit your apps against each other! Multiple rounds of evaluation is good (and necessary!)
Before committing to an app consider: Rinse and repeat as necessary Ease of use Shareability Practicality Functionality Included Features Synchronization Cost Reviews
DIY Tips: Investigation • Have uninterrupted time to play with the apps • Start with many apps and winnow • Don’t settle for bad apps - read reviews! http://collider.com/captain-planet-season-1-dvd-review/
Image from: http://www.comicsocialclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Cyclops.jpg Focus
Audience • Graduate students and faculty who are: iOS mobile device users Interested in apps for research and collaboration
First Incarnation Research, Productivity, Storing & Sharing Weakness: Too broad When: Pre-workshop
What it Included Super Note Mindmeister WorldCat Mobile Redlazer m.gmu.edu Article Search ebrary GoodReader Ebsco Bluefire Reader TED Talks Dictionary.com Flipboard CampusBooks Feedly Jotnot Pro
Weaknesses Process started off with gathering every app that potentially assisted with research. 60 apps identified 40 apps tested 23 apps selected 16 apps made final cut
Second Incarnation Research, Read, Write Good: Helped target specific apps Weaknesses: Too ambitious When: First workshop
What it Included Dictionary.com SSRN WorldCat Mobile Flipboard Pocket Bluefire Reader GoodReader Evernote Mindmeister CloudOn Honorable Mentions: Super Note RedLazer Congressional Record Blackboard
How it Succeeded Whittled list to 10 apps with 4 “honorable mentions” No duplication Workshop had a purpose and focus
How to Whittle Vs. Vs. Vs.
Weaknesses Discussing 14 apps in an hour is too ambitious. Some apps required too much troubleshooting or had limited features. Assumption of everyone following same process when researching.
Third Incarnation • Find, Read, Write, Present • Follows research process from start to finish • Works for faculty and students • Simple, identifiable categories
What it Included Honorable Mentions: Blackboard RedLazer SSRN SpringerLink Flipboard Pocket Bluefire Reader GoodReader Evernote CloudOn Slide Shark
How it Succeeded Highlights apps most in-line with research Increased participation of attendees Knowledge sharing, questions, etc. Can easily cover 9 apps in an hour
DIY Tips: Focus • Trial & error develop your focus • Keep your audience in mind • Embrace mistakes http://collider.com/captain-planet-season-1-dvd-review/
Assess & adapt http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2010/193/3/c/Powermaster_Optimus_Prime_by_darksage78.jpg
Workshop Evaluation Five short answer questions follow learning objectives What apps they would recommend (knowledge sharing) What apps they really liked (benefits gained)
Adaptation • Workshop adjusted to fit research process • Revamp survey and redistribute • “Appy Hour” on Facebook • Subject specific app workshops • Infoguide (infoguides.gmu.edu/researchapps)
DIY Tips: Assess & Adapt • Customizable • Strong assessment questions enhance workshop evaluation • Apps become living organisms Need constant update and attention http://collider.com/captain-planet-season-1-dvd-review/
Today’s Take-Aways • Take time into account • Think outside the screen • Who else can join the conversation? • How can apps be used/highlighted? • Have fun! http://collider.com/captain-planet-season-1-dvd-review/
Questions? http://www.toonzone.net/forums/drawing-board/96861-twinkie-theatre-artwork-bic-19.html#.UiYLipLQk3s