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No that isn’t a typo in the title this post is all about apps, specifically mobile apps for libraries and education.  In this post I’ll explore the work going on around mobile libraries and list some of my favourite educations apps.
Recently a discussion on #UKlibchat (a fortnightly discussion group held on Twitter, you can find out more here) asked what mobile apps would you like to see in libraries. Two replies to this really caught my eye, the first from @joeyanne:

“I’d like to see innovative use of mobile functionality to help users find materials whilst in and out of library so in the library it might be augmented reality and location based services, out of the library would be electronic resources”

@joeyanne is the Twitter username of Jo Alcock who is working on the m-libraries support project.   The aim of the m-library community support project as part of the JISC Mobile Infrastructure for Libraries programme is to “provide a mobile library community support project to help support and engage the emerging m-library community by reviewing and synthesising existing research and  evidence-based guidance.”  The project aims to build a collection of useful resources and case studies based on current developments using mobile technologies in libraries, and to foster a community for those working in the m-library area or interested in learning more.  There is a brilliant presentation on Slideshare which Jo Alcock gave at the CoFHE 2011 Conference, available here which gives numerous examples of mobile technologies being used in libraries.
The second reply was from @calire: “I want an app that can scan a book barcode and tells me if it’s in my local library…”
To me this seemed like the most obvious choice for an app, there are so many shopping based services that do just that but what struck me from both comments is the ability for learners to be able to access learning resources both inside and outside the learning resource centre in a way that is convenient and easy to access, blending there learning and access to resources with their daily lives.
#UKlibchat also asked what are the advantages and disadvantages of mobile apps over mobile versions of websites?
•    @librarydonna functionality better thought out, more user control and interactivity in general
•    @JohnGreenaway  unless after really fancy stuff like augmented reality – mobile web much more cost effective to reach lots of models
•    @librarydonna  disad of apps – have to download, mobile version of web quicker
•    @joeyanne Interesting article on mobile web vs. mobile app:http://t.co/Uf4NKa9F Useful graph on how people use them both
There have been some great discussions on #UKlibchat about apps for libraries/Learning Resource Centres.  I highly recommend joining in #UKlibchat if you get a chance or keep an eye on the blog for a summary of the conversations.
If you’re interested in that you might also be interested in Educational Technology Creative Collection.  It is a collaboration of educators investigating and experimenting with digital technologies to enhance education. It is open to anyone (especially educators). The first iteration of #edtechcc will run for 12 weeks and enrolment is now open.  You can register here.
I did also mention at the start that I would be looking at some useful apps for education.  I’ve compiled a short list below of some of my favourite apps, please feel free to share your ideas by commenting below, on Twitter @sharon_crossan or @rscwales or get in touch here.  Some other posts from the RSC Blogs which might be of use are Codes, symbols and nearest tubes: Augmented Reality and Mobile Phones – Blessing or Curse?

So here are a list of some of my favourite apps for learning and access to resources:
•    iProcrastinate (for Mac/iPhone): Task management app designed to help students plan their schedule.
•    inClass (forMac/iPhone): Task management app which also lets you take multimedia notes.
•    Quizlet: Make your own flashcards
•    Bluefire Reader: An e-book reader (also lets you read the free e-books from the public library e-book pilot project)
•    Evernote: Note taking app that can also synchronise across devices.
•    Mendeley:  For reading and organising papers.
•    Aurasma: An augmented reality creator.
•    Bambuser: For live video streaming
•    Qik Video: For video sharing

The rather spectacular Gregynog Hall

This week I attended three days of the Welsh Higher Education Libraries Forum (WHELF) Gregynog Colloquium.  Although the focus was on HE libraries there were several sessions that I thought would be useful for other sectors too.

Being innovative with information literacy training was apparent in several of the sessions, including a very high energy session from Samuel Nikoi, Joy Cadwallader and Karl Drinkwater (of RSC Wales fame) from Aberystwyth University in collaboration with Katrina Dalziel from Swansea University talking about how to make information skills interesting.   This included a variety of innovative ways to conduct inductions and information skills sessions including beanbags, congas (yes congas!) and a Love Your Library day.  The aim was to make these sessions relaxed and informal, all very well received by students and greatly enjoyed by staff too!   On the technology side of things I was most impressed by Peter Godwin (University of Bedforshire) who discussed their experience of using mobile devices for information literacy.  Including one minute videos and details of their Android App for mobile devices. This got me thinking about the use of QR codes and Augmented Reality for library use and although I’ve seen examples of the use of QR codes, the use of augmented reality seems to be more of an issue.

On the subject of being innovative I attended a presentation by Cath Wright-Jones (University of Glamorgan) on Graphic Design for everyday use: some simple principles.  Cath had a fantastic eye for design and shared some of her best tips.  This made me think about the diverse nature of library work, from information skills to design, librarians really do a variety of things and have a variety of skills.  But this also sparked a bit of a debate on Twitter (#gregynog11), are librarians trying to be Jack of all trades? Should we leave non library work to the specialists?  Or should we be getting involved and creating our own material? I think this a debate that could go on and on but the general consensus was that usually it’s not the librarian’s choice, or how often have other departments put your priorities to the bottom of theirs?

Another key theme was partnership working/collaborative working and shared services, both internally and externally.  Paul Jeorrett looked at this externally, working in partnership with a variety of institutions (and sectors) across North Wales.  Rebecca Davies took an internal view, giving a presentation on the shared services with IT at Aberystwyth University, and Paul Riley discussed WHEEL: a collaborative approach to electronic resource procurement.

The presentations from the event should be available on the website soon, however if you would like to discuss any of themes don’t hesitate to get in touch!

It seems that every day we hear about new technologies, tools and websites. The question is always: does this enable us to do something new, or perhaps to do something in a better way? Learning technologists focus on how the tool can enhance learning. My focus is a more specific sub-question: how can this tool improve the library service for users, enabling them to find, evaluate and use the LRC resources more effectively in order to enhance their learning?

I thought I would bring together a few tools or sites that I had played with over the last year:

• QR codes
• Cartoons
• Animoto
  
• Crosswords
• Quizzes

QR codes

The basics of these have already been covered by Sam. I have been following examples of use, from US studies of their potential, to commercial uses such as Google’s ‘Favorite Places’. I also tried things out using my work mobile phone, and was impressed at how easy it was. You just have to download some software to your phone if it isn’t already on there (I used QuickMark software but I have also heard good things about the Kaywa Reader). Then you can point your phone camera at QR codes and in a fraction of a second the code is deciphered and displayed on the screen. You can make your own (e.g. try here or here), or point at the code below.

How might libraries use QR codes? Below are a few ideas:

• QR code on textbooks in the library – scan to get a subject guide to resources that area (e.g. catering), including classmarks to look at, core texts, useful magazines, websites etc.
• Fiction collections – scan the code to get the e-book version, e.g. from
  Project Gutenberg if it is a classic text.
• Reference collection book – scan the code to go through to a reference
  website on that subject (e.g. online dictionary or style guide), or the library’s own virtual reference collection.
• Posters linking to the relevant web pages. Or notice boards could have
  QR codes next to headlines, which when scanned take the user through to a blog entry on that subject.
• Used as part of induction, for an innovative quiz where there are blocks of QR code information around the library, with a sort of treasure hunt following QR code clues on signs and hidden in some books. Students would be lent a phone if they don’t have their own. The hunt would involve using library resources such as the OPAC, and only if things are done in the correct order will they get the correct final code (which might open a safe; be a classmark for a book with a voucher in; it could be a map reference; or something more imaginative).
• Library cards could have QR codes with user information on, or to take the user to their library account on their phone so they can renew books etc (after some other form of authentication too, of course).
• Other uses for QR codes on a physical item, enabling users to see the
  catalogue record, reviews, similar items etc.
• On the OPAC so users can get locations, classmarks and item details onto their phone for finding item on shelves, or adding to bibliographies. This was done at Aberystwyth University as one of the mobile phone enhancements (the OPAC also has the ability to send an SMS with item details to a mobile phone). To view the QR code function, search the OPAC then click on the “QR code” link in the “Availability” section when viewing a record.
• To provide context specific help and information in the library, as
  at Huddersfield University.

Will any of this be commonplace in LRCs in 5 years? Let me know if you are
using them yourself!

Update 27 April 2010: I have just become aware of this article by Andrew Walsh, ‘Quick response codes and libraries’ (2009).

Cartoons

Librarians are always looking for ways to get information across to users. Pictorial methods are attractive, but not many of us have any artistic talent. That is where sites like Bitstrips come in, since with Bitstrips it is easy and quick to create a cartoon. You can design your own characters to appear in it, or use the hundreds that are provided on the site already. The system is easy to use – pose the figure, choose a facial expression, stick some props in the background, and add a text or speech bubble; then tweak until you are happy with it. The end result is that you can link to the cartoon on Bitstrips, or download it as an image to use in newsletters and on notice boards. Bitstrips are obviously aware of educational uses, since they have recently launched ‘Bitstrips for Schools‘.

I created a few for my RSC Wales job, see the RSC Wales LR Netvibes account. Also in my other role at Aberystwyth University, to promote our federated search tool. The fact that it is so easy to edit the cartoons means it is simple to go back in and create a Welsh version.

Animoto

I have always been a fan of Animoto. It is a site that lets you upload images and select music, and they get mixed together into a video slideshow which can then be viewed online, embedded on a webpage, or downloaded. In the early days you had to add words to an image yourself if you wanted text, but nowadays there are options to include titles and subtitles, and even to incorporate video clips. The basic version which creates short 60 second clips is free to use; however I took out a subscription so that I can create videos of any length.

I have used Animoto in various ways.

• Sometimes when I am doing a teaching session I like to have looped music and video playing as people come in and settle down: to help create an informal atmosphere, act as a border between the ‘outside world’ and the session proper, and possibly to raise some questions in advance of the session. This is an example I used in a session I ran on using multimedia resources.
• An attractive way of getting a simple message across.
• To promote a new service (ac yn Saesneg)
• As an ‘attract mode’ running on a laptop when you are on a stall e.g. a recent stall I ran demonstrating e-book readers had this animation playing to pull people over.
• A fun way of introducing people with photos and names.
• For your own projects outside of work e.g. presenting a poem, holiday snapshots.

Crosswords

LRCs often like to offer quizzes as ways of summarising information or reinforcing it later. Crosswords are an easy way to do this, something some users might enjoy (though they shouldn’t be over-used, and many students will hate them – it is just an alternative way of giving information). Creating a crossword by hand is a daunting task, and thankfully unnecessary! Lots of software is available. My favourite is Eclipse Crossword, which is free and simple to use, yet powerful and fast. If you haven’t tried it before, why not incorporate a quick crossword into one of your information literacy sessions, leaflets, inductions or competitions, or use one as part of a promotion of resources and services?

Quizzes

At the end of a teaching session it is good to include some way of reviewing the content. Institutions with voting systems or interactive whiteboards can use those, but there are many other options for running a quiz. One of my favourites at the moment is ‘Multiple Choice Quiz Creator‘, which resembles ‘Who Want To Be A Millionaire?’ in format and sounds. I like the fact that you only need a laptop/PC, speakers, and (ideally) a projector. Sometimes I get a student to take part, helped by the rest of the people at the session; sometimes I get people to call out answers; other times I put the lecturer on the hotspot (depending on the vibe of the session and how relaxed people are!) It has proven to be a fun way to finish off with a laugh, with a prize of some sort for the winner (e.g. a USB memory stick or some pens). The quizzes are free to play (since the display software has no limits), but the quiz creator programme itself is only free for thirty days. You can download sample quizzes here if you want to try it out.