Tech Zone access to current technology for

Tech. Zone – access to current technology for students A trial by Deakin University Library in providing current mobile technology for students and staff to try out and experiment with. Colin Bates, Deakin University Library

Background • During 2010 the library established a “Blue Sky” group of staff to investigate trends that could impact the library and its services • One of these trends was around the range of new educational and mobile technologies now available and the speed of their development • The Tech. Zone concept was proposed building on the idea of technology petting zoos • Tech. Zone was trialed in July at the Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus Library

Equipment available in the Tech. Zone Combination of e-readers and tablet PCs alongside product descriptions and information People were encouraged to touch, try out, and question • i. Pad • Pocket Projector • Kindle • Dell Streak • Iliad • Kobo • Kogan • Samsung Galaxy Tab • Sony e-reader

Feedback and survey response • Survey summary – Useful initiative – i. Pads the most used devices – Many would consider purchasing a device – Potential use included: web surfing 33%); reading (40%); remainder social networking, games etc. • Questions asked • • • Can we borrow the devices? How do I unlock the android devices? Where can I buy one? Can I read textbooks from the kindle? Can you use Deakin’s ebooks on the kindle? Can you read other documents on the kindle (and other ebook readers)? Which device do you recommend? Why is the Library doing this? What’s the difference between this device and that device? What’s the most popular ereader?

Results so far • Worth doing • Will move Tech. Zone to other campus libraries • Shows the Library in a positive light • Staff development opportunity • Learn more about student preferences and needs for mobile devices • Questions