Last week a few librarians attended the iPad learning
session, IPAD Basics and Course Application, hosted by the CSUDH Faculty
Development Center along with Title V and Instructional Technology. The session
was quite informative as we learned how to make a movie using the iMovie app
and link our iPad screens to classroom laptops so the tablet screen can be displayed
on class projectors (Doceri and Reflector apps). Other apps presented, or shared by attendees,
included Notability, Good Reader, and CloudOn, along with those that keep track
of our ever growing collection of online resources and documents such as
Evernote or Dropbox. These apps allow students
and professors to easily integrate iPad features into course presentations or
Blackboard posts.
iPads and other tablets are increasingly becoming more
visible here at the University Library.
Students often have them out on desktops as they also work on their laptops
or Library PCs. Not only are tablets
out, but smartphones are plugged in and calculators are visible. As tablets become more common students will quickly
discover the use and relevance of the many apps available. To stay abreast of the literature on using
iPads in the academic environment, be sure to search our Library databases for
recent journal articles. Use the
Articles & E-Resources tab at the top of the search box on the Library homepage,
inputting keywords such as iPad, teaching, faculty, or student to quickly get
to relevant articles. The
infographic shown below provides an interesting synopsis on today's use of tablets.
As students continue to interact with mobile and digital
technology the University Library is working to expand access to digital
materials. Through the Affordable
Learning Initiative of the Chancellor’s Office, the Library now has access to
more than 150,000
eBooks accessible through EBSCOhost, Safari Books Online,
and ebrary. Many of these books are used as textbooks. Students can not only read these materials on their desktop or laptop, but many can be downloaded
to an iPad and a number of dedicated e-readers.
And, to allow students to explore the many possibilities inherent
in the applications of an iPad, the Library now loans out 30 iPad 2s for
student use. More information on the
checkout program can be found
here.
Please feel free to post your comments on which iPad apps you find useful! Let's start a conversation about what is working for you!
Click to see full size image
The infographic above was published on Aug. 21, 2012 as a blog post from OnlineUniversities.com.