iPads & CSUDH

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.

EBooks Expand Our Collection by 150,000+

You may have noticed a large number of ebooks appearing on the results screen when you search the Library catalog for books.  The Library is building its online collection through ebrary, Safari Books Online, and EBSCO e-books and currently has more than 150,000 titles available!  Students and faculty like the convenience and immediate access to these books which are accessible 24/7 from your computer, laptop, and mobile devices.  Recently, one book had 1,112 hits with 45, 818 pages viewed!  Students are not only taking advantage of this new resource as a research tool, but also are finding that the features inherent with online resources are very helpful for completing assignments. 

Ebooks are quite easy to use.  When you search the Library catalog on a topic, the results screen will show ebooks along with print books that we hold in our collection.  Click on the title of the ‘electronic resource’ to see detailed catalog information about the book and to find the link to open the ebook.  If you click on the ‘This title has an electronic version’ hyperlink the ebrary book will open while the EBSCO record will open for an EBSCO ebook, and the table of contents will display for Safari Books Online. 

Ebrary

All ebrary books can be read on any device that can access an internet browser including smart phones and tablets.  You also have the choice of using a mobile app for iOS or Android based systems.  Once you open the online book you can turn pages with the forward/back arrows, jump to particular sections by clicking on a link on the table of contents, search the text for specific terms, copy, and print.  If you create an ebrary account (using the sign-in link at the right top on the menu bar) you have the ability to highlight text, take notes and “check-out” the book by downloading specific chapters or the whole book.  You also have the ability to save the link to the book, complete with your highlights and notes, on your personal bookshelf. 

EBSCO ebooks

When the EBSCO ebook detailed record screen opens you have the option to read the book online through the eBook Full Text option or download the book to read it offline on your computer or other electronic device.  Reading it offline will require you to create an EBSCO user account (see the Sign In tab on the top right menu bar) and download and use Adobe Digital Editions.  Once you have downloaded the book you can keep notes and get direct access to the Oxford American College Dictionary.  EBSCO ebooks also can be accessed on smart phones and tablets.

Safari Online Books

Safari books are primarily related to technology subject areas.  When you open the link to a Safari Online Book, the table of contents will appear as hyperlinks to the text.  You can also choose to read an overview of the book or search within the book.  Clicking on the ‘Start Reading’ icon will open the ebook and you will have the option to read it in HTML format or as it was printed.   

In the event that an ebook does not open, it is most likely in use by another party.  Just as we check out print books for a single user, ebooks that are downloaded are also checked out for a period of time thus making them unavailable to others until they are “returned.”  Don’t get frustrated, but continue to check the title as, often, the book is available within a few hours or a few days.

Don't be afraid to try these great online resources for your assignments, or encourage your professors to use them instead of costly textbooks, and let us know what you think!