The Mobile Playground: Can Databases and iPads Play Nice?

Kelly Meadow & Ngoc-Yen TranUniversity of Oregon Libraries

Thanks

This study was completed as part of a Summer Reference Internship at the University of Oregon.

• Paul Frantz, Head of Reference and Research Services

• Barbara Jenkins, Director of Instruction and Campus Partnerships

The Mobile Playground

Try it! Your Favorite Database on a Tablet

Try accessing your favorite database from a tablet and imagine that you are demoing it to a class. What worked and what did not work?

Presentation of the page

Access to multimedia content

Database specific tools

Email full text

Separate app required

Methods: Functions measured

Coding system divided each task into 4 areas of functionality:

• Fully functional

• Requires workaround

• Not functional

• Not applicable

Methods: Coding

What we found: Presentation of Page

What we found: Presentation of PageTop 7 Most Common Vendors

What we found: Multimedia Content Access

What we found: Multimedia Content Access Top 7 Common Vendors

What we found: Database Specific Tools

What we found: Database Specific Tools Top 7 Common Vendors

What we found: Email Full Text

What we found: Email Full Text Top 7 Most Common Vendors

What we found: Apps

96.2% of databases did not require any app or specific software to operate.

Many vendors do offer apps for their databases and mobile websites.

Can database apps be useful in an instruction setting?

Discussion: What Does this Mean for Library Instruction?

Barriers from results:

• Email full text

• Java/Flash (small amount of databases)

Other potential barriers:

• IT staff time

• Student comfort levels

Discussion: What Does this Mean for Library Instruction?

iPads and Databases do “play nice.”

Questions?

Kelly Meadowkellylmeadow@gmail.com / @kellylmeadow

Ngoc-Yen Tranyentran@uoregon.edu

Credits

References:Bohyun, K. (2013). Mobile consumer behavior. Library

Technology Reports, 49(6), 9-14. Calkins, K. and Bowles-Terry, M. (2013). Mixed

methods, mixed results: a study of engagement among students using iPads in library instruction. Paper presented at ACRL 2013 Conference, Indianapolis, IN.

Matamoros, A. B. and Neary, M. A. (2012). Librarians, legal research, and classroom iPads - a winning combination. AALL Spectrum, 18, 27-29.

New Media Consortium (2013). Horizon Report: 2013 Higher Education Edition. http://www.nmc.org/publications/2013-horizon-report-higher-ed

Wells, V. (2012). Hunting for QR codes: Linking students to the music collection. Music Reference Services Quarterly, 15, 137-148

Zickuhr, K. (2013). Tablet Ownership 2013. Washington, D.C.: Pew Research Center Internet and American Life Project. http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2013/Tablet-Ownership-2013.aspx

Photos:Play Quest http://playquestadventureplay.co.uk/images/DSCF0012_rsz.jpg

Wikimedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:IPad_1_PSD_Mockup.png

Miami University Libraries http://www.flickr.com/photos/muohio_digital_collections/3190693985

Emory Maiden http://www.flickr.com/photos/44551921@N04/6240707542/

Media Station http://www.flickr.com/photos/cayoup/5604750561

James F Clay http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesclay/3509154015

Craig Chew-Moulding http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigmoulding/8399214678

Access My Library http://publishingperspectives.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Access-My-Library-App-202x300.png

EBSCOhost http://cdn.appato.com/ebsco-publishing/ebscohost/icon/256

Artstor http://vrc.bard.edu/files/2011/04/artstor-mobile-advert.jpg

Ebrary https://multcolib.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/ebrary_0.png

Thomson Reuters http://gpt.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/thomson-reuters-ipad-apps.jpg

Robert and Talbot Trudeau http://www.flickr.com/photos/robert_trudeau/8288865378

Randolf Jorberg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/3gstore/4746266790

Sean MacEntee http://www.flickr.com/photos/smemon/7469170810/

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode