Mobile Design: Interactive Multimedia to Support Learning and Teaching" and "Mobile Library: Connecting New Generations of Learners to the Library in the Mobile Age"

We had a three hour, hands-on workshop at the m-libraries conference. Our workshop was completely filled and went very well. People were very interested in the work that we have done and were eager to try our technologies. Participants ranged from those with no mobile development experience to those with a great deal of experience. All feedback we received was positive and some of the contacts we made will most likely lead to some future collaboration. Also, the participants were able to contribute ideas for future enhancements and uses that we had not previously considered. For the other papers, they were again well received and well attended. Our library is considered as one of the leaders of mobile development and this was reinforced by our positive reception1. Aim of the workshop: The Athabasca University Library has developed many mobile friendly websites and features to help our students access resources. These include an autodetect feature which displays either mobile or desktop content depending on the type of device; a mobile-friendly Digital Reading Room (DRR) for students to access their course readings, and mobile language websites including ESL grammar, workplace English, and accent reduction. In this workshop we will introduce participants to the mobile technologies that we have adapted and developed, model and explain best practices for mobile multimedia content creation, and have participants create digital content for mobile phones using the iPhone and our mobile knowledge management system. Objectives of the workshop: * Introduce participants to AU’s innovative mobile technologies * Showcase multimedia mobile learning * Hands-on creation of mobile content including interactive exercises 2. Digital library services delivered through mobile devices can offer flexibility in terms of access and content, increased hands-on experience, and enhanced information and mobile literacy skills of learners. Athabasca University (AU) library is pioneering the development of a mobile- friendly digital library (M-library) including the mobile-friendly Digital Reading Room (DRR), Digital Thesis and Project Room (DTPR), Digital Reference Centre (DRC), and AirPAC. The M-library system can auto-detect users’ devices and accommodate both desktop and mobile access to AU library services and resources. This presentation demonstrates the system design, implementation, and evaluation of the M-library system. It provides examples of how AU has applied mobile learning and mobile technology to support and enhance delivery of library services and learning resources, and offers lessons learned to others in the practice. The AU Mobile library project was the recipient of the 2006 Canadian Library Association Library Research and Development Grant for its innovative approach to connecting users and libraries