Use of smartphones by art and design students for accessing library services and learning
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-02-2016-0015 |
| Published date | 20 June 2016 |
| Pages | 224-238 |
| Date | 20 June 2016 |
| Author | Patrick Lo,Allan Cho,Man-hon Leung,Dickson K.W. Chiu,Eddie H.T. Ko,Kevin K.W. Ho |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Librarianship/library management,Library technology |
Use of smartphones by art and
design students for accessing
library services and learning
Patrick Lo
Faculty of Library, Information and Media Science,
University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
Allan Cho
Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia,
Vancouver, Canada
Man-hon Leung, Dickson K.W. Chiu and Eddie H.T. Ko
Faculty of Education, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, and
Kevin K.W. Ho
School of Business and Public Administration,
University of Guam, Guam, USA
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to explore art and design students’use of smartphones for
accessing library services and learning at the Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI).
Design/methodology/approach –A questionnaire survey involving 51 HKDI students was
conducted to examine the students’utilization of apps and the internet on mobile devices to find
information for the purpose of academic learning, social networking, and collaborative learning.
Findings –Survey resultsshowed that while the HKDI studentswere all smartphone ownersand active
users of such mobile communication devices, only a minority of them “frequently”use these mobile
devices for formallearning purposes. They demonstrateda keen preference to use search engines, social
communications, and other diverse use of smartphones. Except for research and image/audio-visual
needs, the rest of theirneeds and usage behaviour is similar to mainstream university students.
Practical implications –The results suggest opportunities for the libraries to develop services and
facilities that could better fulfil students’information needs, and to improve the network coverage
outside the library.
Originality/value –This is probably the first study of its kind to explore art and design students’use
of smartphones for learning needs. In particular, the recent capability of smartphones and mobile
internet speed are comparable with desktops, it is vital to re-examine the much changed environment
and user needs.
Keywords Academic libraries, Higher education, Information services, Mobile learning,
Attitude surveys, Information need
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Prior research in the adoption of e-learning systems (e.g. Ho, 2014) has shown that the
academic background of students would have an impact on their adoption behaviour.
In this research, we would like to extend our investigation on the e-learning and online
library usage behaviour of a specific group of students, i.e., students who are studying on
Library Hi Tech
Vol. 34 No. 2, 2016
pp. 224-238
©Emerald Group Publishing Limited
0737-8831
DOI 10.1108/LHT-02-2016-0015
Received 2 October 2015
Revised 7 February 2016
29 March 2016
Accepted 6 April 2016
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/0737-8831.htm
This research is partially funded by the Faculty Research Fund, Faculty of Education, The
University of Hong Kong.
224
LHT
34,2
To continue reading
Request your trial