Mary K. Van Ullen and Jane Kessler
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the accuracy and functionality of a selection of basic Android and iOS apps for mobile devices designed to generate bibliographic…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the accuracy and functionality of a selection of basic Android and iOS apps for mobile devices designed to generate bibliographic citations.
Design/methodology/approach
A number of inexpensive or free apps were installed on several different tablets and phones. Book citations in MLA and APA format were generated and evaluated for accuracy.
Findings
Results show that the majority of the apps tested produced unacceptably inaccurate citations, and many had limited functionality. The best of the apps tested was EasyBib.
Research limitations/implications
There are infinite combinations of operating systems, apps, citation styles, material types and devices. Testing for this study was limited to uncomplicated apps likely to appeal to undergraduate students. It did not include more sophisticated apps for managing reference libraries. The study investigated how well several Android and iOS apps installed on mobile devices functioned to generate MLA and APA citations for print books.
Practical/implications
As the role of mobile technology in education continues to grow, librarians need to remain aware of solutions that can help students manage their research. Librarians have an opportunity to provide feedback to developers by reviewing and rating apps.
Originality/value
Undergraduate students face challenges in learning to appropriately acknowledge materials they have consulted in their research and writing. Librarians can play an important role in helping students select the most appropriate tools to make citing sources easier and more accurate.
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Christopher C. Brown and Elizabeth S. Meagher
This paper seeks to demonstrate the value of adding links to freely available web content to the library catalog (OPAC). This aims to answer the research question: “Is there value…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to demonstrate the value of adding links to freely available web content to the library catalog (OPAC). This aims to answer the research question: “Is there value to cataloging freely available Internet resources in the OPAC?”
Design/methodology/approach
Using a URL redirection system for tracking user access to freely available web publications, three years of click‐through use statistics were gathered by placing redirect URLs in the 856 field, tabulating the use data by project category, and redirecting the user to the desired resource.
Findings
Usage statistics over three years show that cataloging free resources is well worth the effort.
Originality/value
This is the first study to track use of free resources by click‐throughs to the OPAC.
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Anita K. Foster and Gene R. Springs
Academic libraries are struggling to support the growing demand for streaming video. The purpose of this paper is to detail the experience of running three long-term pilots with…
Abstract
Purpose
Academic libraries are struggling to support the growing demand for streaming video. The purpose of this paper is to detail the experience of running three long-term pilots with different streaming video platforms, including processes involved, lessons learned and next steps.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses a mixed methods approach, combining analysis of usage data with case study observations.
Findings
The length of the pilots allowed for deep understanding of the needs of this academic library’s community’s engagement with streaming video in the classroom, and confirmed anecdotal information that availability of multiple platforms supports diverse needs which led to continuing access to all platforms, operationalized to be managed within existing processes. Using usage data and feedback from a task force led to decisions to continue with all three platforms that were piloted.
Research limitations/implications
While this research describes the experience at one academic library, the information may be generalizable enough that other libraries may use it for their streaming video collection development decisions.
Originality/value
Long-term pilot studies for streaming video platforms can be challenging for many libraries to undertake. With a modest initial financial commitment, the library was able to explore how the community might use streaming video. Through analysis of usage data, the library was able to see when, where and what was being used and could make better informed decisions about where to concentrate future funds for streaming video support.
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The purpose of the paper is to provide a detailed account of pre-service teachers’ viewpoints on the use of tableaux as pedagogy to analyse short stories in secondary schools…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to provide a detailed account of pre-service teachers’ viewpoints on the use of tableaux as pedagogy to analyse short stories in secondary schools based on their exposure to the use of tableaux and their active participation in the process of tableau creation.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopted a qualitative approach and a phenomenological design as it provides a detailed account of PGCE English Methodology pre-service teachers’ views on the use of tableaux to teach a short story. The data collection method used was written narratives based on the participants’ detailed accounts of their learning during the process of tableau creation and their viewpoints on the use of such an approach in the teaching of literature within secondary school contexts. The “rich, thick data” extracted from the written narratives were analysed thematically.
Findings
The findings indicated that although pre-service teachers were initially sceptical towards the use of tableaux as a strategy to teach a short story, as they grew in their understanding of the practices involved their insights into the themes, motifs and characters’ emotional, personal and psychological states of being were enhanced.
Originality/value
Research in the use of tableaux as a strategy for pre-service teachers to critically analyse and engage with short stories is a novel approach to teaching and limited research has been conducted in the field.