TechZone – 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 TechZone concept was proposed building on the idea of technology petting zoos

• TechZone was trialed in July at the Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus Library

Equipment available in the TechZone

Combination of e-readers and tablet PCs alongside product descriptions and information

People were encouraged to touch, try out, and question

• iPad• Pocket Projector• Kindle• Dell Streak• Iliad• Kobo• Kogan• Samsung Galaxy Tab• Sony e-reader

Feedback and survey response

• Survey summary– Useful initiative– iPads 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 TechZone 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