Mobile Learning, the Changing
Faces of Library Services and the
Indian Scenario
What is Mobile Learning?
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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.
What is Mobile Learning?
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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.
What is Mobile Learning?
What is Mobile Learning?
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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)”
Mlearning
Mobile Learning Devices
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Portable Media Player
Personal Digital Assistant or PDA
Smart Phone
Laptop/Tablet PC etc..
Features
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Bluetooth
3G
Wi-Fi
GPS
Web browser
MP3 player
Camera /Video recorder ,etc
Benefits
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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
Limitations
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Small screen size
Short battery life
Poor input capabilities
Limited memory capacity
Easily lost or stolen, etc.
Indian Scenario
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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)
Initiatives
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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
Possibilities in Library &
Information Services
Possibilities in Library &
Information Services
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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
Mobile Reference and Instruction
and Text Alerts
Libraries offering Mobile instruction
,SMS notification
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Denton Public Libraries
Helsinki School of Economics Library,
Finland
Open University Library, United Kingdom
Washington State University Libraries
Mobile Online Public Access Catalog
interface (MOPAC)
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WorldCat Local
AirPac
Polaris (Mobile PAC)
LibraryThing (Library Anywhere)
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
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Access to E-Books and E-Journal
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Here are some of the major vendors offering mobile interfaces:
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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
Libraries offering access to Mobile
collections
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New York Public Library
University of Virginia Library
Duke University Library
Mobile Optimized Library Website
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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
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
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Great mobile optimized Library
Websites
University of Minnesota
QR Codes
What is QR Code
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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”
Application of QR Codes in Library
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Send a text to the reference librarian
Library tours
Library orientation
Library Maps
Libraries offering QR Codes in
Library
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University of Bath Library, United Kingdom
University of Lethbridge Library
Mobile Marketing using Mobile
Social Networks
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Library announcements, news, events
Promote/recommend materials
Share relevant local info
Interact with patrons
Libraries on Social Network
Libraries on Social Network
Issues
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Privacy Concern
Addressing ongoing issues in digital content
Man power issues and capacity building
measures
First, assess
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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?
Questions?
Thank You