14 - Mobile applications and services in academic libraries: a survey of the university libraries of New Delhi

Summary

Introduction

Mobile devices are everywhere and they have changed the way we live. Today the new society is a mobile society, in which the mobile devices have become the remote control for our lives. Mobile devices are connecting, communicating and sharing knowledge and information to make our lives easier. The mobile society of today works on a new logic and a new way of thinking, not only in the fields of health, business, commerce, industry and education but in almost all spheres of life. It is also seen that mobile devices have brought about a breakthrough in education all over the world. They have transformed and influenced the learning preferences of students and faculty, both within and outside the classroom and libraries (Moore, 2008). The use of personal devices by both teaching staff and learners has blurred the line between formal and informal learning. With more digital books than print books in circulation, academic activities are being influenced by mobile technology. Cloud computing and cloud space are also driving the use of more digital educational materials. Mobile devices are becoming the student's backpack (BLE Group, 2011), and so a survey was carried out in six major academic libraries of New Delhi, the capital city of India, to explore the applications and services provided and needed in these academic libraries.

Mobile devices in education

Mobile technologies are playing an increasingly important role in education and academic lives. Devices such as smartphones, tablets, iPads and e-book readers connect users to the world instantly, increasing access to information and enabling interactivity with others. Mobile devices are playing a great role in all these activities by providing many benefits to students, teachers, parents and universities themselves. Applications that run on these devices let users not only consume but also discover and produce content (Dahlstrom, 2012). The changing educational technology theory, research, and pedagogy are re-conceptualized to provide better opportunities and learning to the students and academic fraternity. Mobile devices are now being used as research tools and e-book readers, for SMS chat rooms, group chat rooms for classes, photo sharing for academic documents and mobile diaries, and to set reminders, make notes and organize schedules, connect with guest speakers in classrooms via Skype and scan QR codes for use as a reference point for assignments and projects (Lepi, 2014).