The Athabasca University mobile library project: increasing the boundaries of anytime and anywhere learning for students

ABSTRACT

Athabasca University's (AU) has implemented a comprehensive mobile library (M-library) website. The M-library system can auto-detect users' devices and bring them to the appropriately formatted version (mobile or desktop) of the site. It provides opportunities to increase the boundaries of anytime and anywhere learning for students. This paper presents the Mlibrary system design, implementation, and ongoing research on usage of the AU M-library, some of the challenges in design and deploying the M-library are discussed.

REFERENCES

• 1: Cao, Y., and Greer, J. Facilitating Web-based education using intelligent agent technologies. In Proceeding of the 2nd International Workshop on Web-based Support Systems, In conjunction with the 2004 IEEE/WIC/ACM International Conference on Web Intelligence and International Conference on Intelligent Agent Technology, Beijing, China, September 2004, 37--44.
• 2: Clyde, L. A. M-Learning. Teacher Librarian {Internet}. 31, 1 (Oct, 2004), Available from http://www.teacherlibrarian.com/tltoolkit/info_tech/info_tech_32_1.html {Accessed: January 31, 2006}
• 3: McGreal, R. et al. The Athabasca University digital reading room: library resources for mobile students. In Proceeding of International Association for Development of the Information Society (IADIS) Mobile Learning Conference. Malta, 2005. http://www.iadis.net/dl/Search_list_open.asp?code=1974
• 4: Wagner, E. D. Enabling mobile learning. EDUCAUSE Review. 40, 3 (May/June 2005), 40--53. http://www.educause.edu/er/erm05/erm0532.asp?bhcp=1
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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  C. Computer Systems Organization
  C.2 COMPUTER-COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
      C.2.1 Network Architecture and Design
          Subjects: Wireless communication

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.2 User Interfaces (D.2.2, H.1.2, I.3.6)
          Subjects: Screen design (e.g., text, graphics, color)

General Terms:
Design, Experimentation, Management

Keywords:
M-library, distance education, e-learning, mobile and wireless learning