1. Enhancing library access through the use of mobile technology: the student perspective and practical implementation Lynne Callaghan & Ruth Charlton Centre for Excellence in Professional Placement Learning University of Plymouth

2. Order of presentation Background to Centre and development activities Construction of library guide Student evaluation of guide and utility of mobile technologies for placement students

3. Background: Centre for Excellence in Professional Placement Learning (Ceppl) one of 74 Centres for Teaching and Learning (CETLs) funded by HEFCE in 2005. 9 Development Activities: Specific areas of placement learning including: Assessment, Interprofessional Education, Enhancing Library Access and m-learning.

4. Enhancing Library Access Aim: to enhance access to library based and electronic resources for health and social care students at the University of Plymouth whilst on placement. Initial study: Qualitative focus group study with Social work, midwifery and emergency care students across South West Peninsula (Callaghan, Doherty, Lea & Webster, 2007)

5. Inequality User education needs Need for guide to centralise and improve accessibility to information and usability of resources University NHS Social Services The need for a guide....

6. The Ceppl m-learning project Aim: To explore how mobile technology enhances students’ learning experience whilst on placement.

7. Construction of the library guide Meetings with NHS librarians and Social Work Knowledge Managers Consultation event with university and NHS librarians Collating information for guide Realisation that a printed guide would be useless

8. First steps to a solutio n Mapping the information needed Producing the web pages Mobile technology!

9. Guide Design Designed by Digital Arts Placement Student Inclusion of interactive elements Need for evaluation

13. Aims to: 1.Explore student perceptions of the utility of the electronic guide to access information regarding resources whilst on placement 2.Explore student perceptions of the potential use of mobile devices to access the guide whilst on placement. Library guide evaluation

14. Workshops and interviews with 31 students from Podiatry, Physiotherapy, Dietetics and Learning Disability Nursing. Provided with macbooks, mobile phones and iPaqs in order to assess the utility of these devices to access the guide. Evaluation Method

15. Students were asked to: 1.Evaluate the guide in terms of anything they would change or add to the guide 2.Evaluate the utility of mobile technologies to access the use the guide whilst on placement by reflecting on their placement experiences.

16. Very supportive of guide and see it as a valuable resource whilst on placement Additions to guide: Interactive map giving and allowing students to provide information re mobile and wireless coverage across region. Links to partner college library systems Links to NHS library catalogues Maps of clinics with information re bus times, accommodation Guide Issues

17. Support Peer Support Suggestions for other useful websites Suggestion of useful chapters etc Star ratings and book reviews Post information re libraries further afield than Devon/Cornwall patch Experiences of placements Cross discipline Technical Support Online tutorials for the use of electronic resources Technical help for mobile devices, FAQs & ongoing technical support.

18. Mobile technology issues Advantages Internet access on placements without access Mobile devices will enable quick referencing/research between patients Phone better than laptop – security Having own access to internet via device would speed up work on placement Could brief yourself prior to meeting with a patient “The phones are perfect as I didn’t have internet access on my last placement and found it extremely difficult to do any work.” (Podiatry student)

19. Mobile technology issues Potential Disadvantages Training Cost Concerns re value of items and insurance May worry students as may be thought of as involving more work Student might feel behind if they have problems with technology

20. Conclusion Enable students to influence guide content Provide information regarding devices and associated charges Timely training and ongoing support Further work and communication with: practice staff NHS librarians