Research on Mobile Resources Use

Recently, Zach and I presented at the 16th Distance Library Services Conference in Denver, CO on FNU's mobile project. We examined data from questions on the End of Terms Surveys regarding use of mobile devices for completing school work and referencing clinical information.  We also took a very close look at responses to the survey item asking students to "list up to five apps that assist you with your education at FNU."

Before I go any further, let me take a moment to say "Thank You!" to the students who take the time to respond to these surveys. The information we gather allows us to make evidence based decisions about the services we provide. Sharing the information with colleagues (by presenting at conferences, for example) allows them to help other students across the country. We really do want to know what you think - so when you see a notice about a survey, please consider completing it!

Reviewing the apps that students listed as being helpful for school work was very interesting. We asked students to share this information so that we could be aware of as many apps as possible and share them with other students.

Here are the apps that were mentioned at least 20 times:

• Epocrates
• Lexicomp
• DynaMed
• Email
• AHRQ ePSS
• Medscape
• Blackboard Mobile
• Dropbox
• iGeriatrics
• Sanford Guide
• Skyscape
• Flashcards (ex: gflash, gflash pro, gflash+, flip cards, quizlet, flashcard machine, studyblue, flashcard+)
• Internet browser
• Micromedex
• Pregnancy wheel (ex: perfect wheel, prenatal wheel, the wheel pro, OB wheel, pregnancy calculator, birth wheel)
• Essential Evidence Plus
• Podcasts
• Evernote
• Facebook
• MPR
• Google
• BMI tools (ex: bmi calculator, bmi tool, calculate bmi)
• Lactmed
• Blackboard Collaborate
• Calendar
• Kindle
• Skype

Here are a few other clinical apps that were mentioned:

• STD Meister
• Pap guide
• EFM guide
• DxSaurus
• Qx Calculate
• ATP III
• Shots STFM
• iTriage
• BiliCalc
• GBS guide

(note these are how they were reported on the survey; actual names may vary slightly)

Slides from our presentation are below, and the full paper will be published in a forthcoming issue of  Journal of Library & Information Services in Distance Learning. What apps are you using? We'd love to hear about them!