HOW TABLET PC TECHNOLOGY CAN BE UTILISED IN THE
DEVELOPMENT OF LIBRARIES
Sub-theme
Managing Digital Libraries and Digital Publications (Information Technology Application)
Irma Irawati Ibrahim
School of Computer Science – BINUS University
Jl. K. H. Syahdan No. 9 Kemanggisan/Palmerah Jakarta Barat 11480 [email protected]
ABSTRACT
The widespread use of tablet PC technology in Indonesia, specifically in education, presents an opportunity for librarians to improve their services. With the help of Information Technology experts an application installed on tablet PCs can be developed to access library services conveniently.
The objective of this paper is to come up with a design scenario and interface for a library application which may encourage university libraries to develop a tablet PC-based application for their services.
The PDCA approach (Plan, Do, Check, Act) was used in the process of developing the library application discussed in this study as it allowed for a continuous systems development. This study entailed a thorough review of related literature, a survey of some tablet PC applications such as iBooks, KOBO, Newsstand and Scoop, and the creation of a modeling system. The stages of system construction and deployment were not within the scope of this study.
INTRODUCTION
According to Purwanto, D. and Wahyudi, R. (2012), the use of tablet PCs is pervasive. Up to quarter of 2012 where the number of tablet users in the world increased by 15 million users, up 77.6 percent of that value over the same period last year. Indonesia is the largest tablet user in Asia after China, India, and Japan.
The demographics of Internet usage in Indonesia is dominated by the 18-24 year age group at 44% and the age group 24-54 years follows at 30%. Furthermore, 30% of these internet users take advantage of a portable mobile devices such as smartphones, ultra / netbooks and tablets (Salahuddien, M. 2012).
What is Tablet PC? A tablet PC is a wireless, portable personal computer with a touch screen interface. The tablet form factor is typically smaller than a notebook computer but larger than a smart phone. There several styles of tablets, ie. A convertible tablet typically has a display that rotates 180 degrees and can be folded to close, screen up, over the integrated keyboard. Convertible models may allow user input through a variety of methods in addition to the hardware keyboard, including natural handwriting with a stylus or digital pen and typing through a screen-based software keyboard. A slate tablet, such as an iPad, has electronics integrated into the touch screen unit and lacks a hardware keyboard. However, external keyboards are available for slate tablets, some of which function as docks for the devices. A hybrid tablet, sometimes referred to as a convertible or hybrid notebook, is like a regular notebook but with a removable display that functions independently as a slate. A rugged tablet is a slate-like model that is designed to withstand rough handling and extreme conditions. Rugged tablets are usually encased in a protective shell and have shock-protected hard drives (Tablet PC. 2012).
Currently, Tablet PC technology is widely used for the development of teaching and learning in various educational institutions in the world, such as at California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA), major Computer Science they have developed the Collaborative Project-Based Learning model using Tablet PCs (Avery , et.al. 2010); at Boston University to assist students in learning mathematics, the University take advantage of tablet PC technology for sharing ideas, slides, and problem solving in events concerning students and senior lecturer. So, the students can experience an enhanced understanding rather than the conventional "chalk talk" (Romney, C. 2009); From a study at Virginia University, learning methods utilising tablet PC technology are said to have great positive impact and develop learning quite rapidly (Olsen, D., et.al. 2008); The Clemson University conducts the learning process by using MessageGrid, a web-based system that enables instructors to interact electronically with their students through Tablet PCs. These combined technologies make active learning a reality in the classroom while maintaining the necessary pace of the course. All students, including those who are reluctant to participate in class, are able to share their work and receive feedback from the instructor (Benson, L. and Pargas, R. P. 2008).
students and lecturers. By looking at the phenomenon of the use of the Tablet Computer in Indonesia, especially among 18-24 year olds, the general age of university students, and the use of tablet technology in education, librarians must take this opportunity in the development of libraries, especially at university level in order to attract a wider range of users.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The method used in this study is Plan-Do-Check-Act, also known as PDCA. Why was this method chosen by the researcher? The PDCA method is suitable as a model for the development of a continuous process; suitable to be used to initiate the development of new projects; suitable for the development process, product, or service; analysis of repetitive work processes; for collection activities of data and analysis of the major problems in finding a process, and suitable to be used to implement the changes that occur (Tague’s, N. 2004). PLAN is an activity to identify opportunities and plan for change, even the problem indentification carried out before the problem show up for anticipation. The activities carried out include the identification of opportunities for development / improvement, documented processes that are running, creating the vision / goals for process improvement, and defining the scope of the process that will be repaired; DO is to carry out planning activities that have been made, it is advisable to first perform smaller scope activities within a certain limited time frame as a pilot phase before fully implementing this phase; CHECK is the activity of reviewing the test results that have been conducted, to analyze and identify the learning that results from a series of processes that have been made; ACT is an activity to take necessary actions based on the various processes that have been passed, if the result is not as expected, then return to the starting point with a different proposed plan. If success can be continued with broader development plans, and start again from the beginning. As PDCA is a method which is a continuous cycle (Goetsch, 2003).
INNOVATION PROCESS
Planning. A planning series in connection with the use of tablet PC technology should be carried out for user requirements analysis, modeling, construction and deployment. However, the construction and deployment phases are not discussed in this paper. The interest is on the use of Tablet PCs in the education community, some of the user requirement surveys carried out, literature and the observation of online library and application usage of the tablet PC. The process of systems modeling analysis was made prototyping a GUI (Graphic User Interface) to be discussed further with the development team before the construction process. After Planning process we move to other process is Do process. We will do what is already planned. On the user requirements of the review of the literature regarding the use of tablet PCs. the following was obtained:
1. Purwanto, D. and Wahyudi, R. (2012) state that users tend to use a table to enjoy tablet applications in their devices, especially to download digital media with a variety of exciting interactive media such as newspapers, magazines, and other electronic media. With this trend, media publishers also need to follow these developments by providing an electronic platform for its issue. This is done to reach more readers instead of just presenting in the conventional manner. Developing a digital library that is comfortable for tablet users certainly needs an analysis of eReading applications currently being used by tablet users, so that later application libraries provide the comfort level required by tablet users..
2. According to Rachman, T. (2011) the Apple iPad Tablet is predicted to continue to dominate the tablet market in the coming years, and in 2011 the number of iPad sales worldwide reached 73.4 percent compared to other tablets. This phenomenon can be observed through several iPad eReading applications performed in this study, namely iBooks, Newsstand, Scoop and Kobo.
3. In Salahuddien, M. (2012) it is shown that The development of internet infrastructure in Indonesia is improving, characterized by the proliferation of broadband internet services that provide both affordable and accessible post-paid and pre-paid schemes. Thus, to access e-content through a tablet is not a constraint.
Based on observations of a number of eReading applications, analysis was made as follows: 1. iBooks is an application created by Apple for reading electronic content. Electronic
content can be obtained through the iBooks application store (iBooks Store) but users can also add their own ePub and PDF files via data synchronization with iTunes 2. Newsstand gathers all your magazine and newspaper app subscriptions in a single
location.
3. SCOOP is an application to read magazines on the iPad. SCOOP brings whole magazines right to the reader’s iPad.
Considering the three applications of iBooks, Newsstand and Scoop there are two major facilities offered, ie :
• Store is the place to store collections of e-content that users download from the iBooks site. The collections can be stored as book shelf images or viewed in list form. Users can create storage categories of their own. Store is also provides a search facility. Scoop has the additional facility ie connects fellow Scoop reader through facebook and twitter like Kobo.
• Library is a facility that displays e-content that have, most can be downloaded for free and some are paid. Besides being equipped with the search menu, the user is also given the freedom to show the list of e-content based on the release date, top charts and categories.
4. Kobo consists of two applications, namely www.kobobooks.com to download e-content and e-Reading Kobo to read. When the Kobo eReading application opens, Kobo will display lists of recommendations for user e-content, recently read e-content by the user, new releases, what friends are reading, and the user’s own stats. Kobo downloads the user’s five most recently opened books automatically, but users can manually change the setting. Interestingly, Kobo has the facility of finding out what friends are reading in Kobo, and in the menu for this facility the user is asked to sign in to Facebook or Twitter for the list and for discussions with other users. In addition the Stats facility is also very interesting, since Kobo provides information on user performance such as what percentage of a book being read is completed, how many hours the user has read the book, etc.
By combining some of the usual library facilities offered by digital libraries and eReading applications that have been observed, hence made a requirement modeling and user interface design scenario. This application can be accessed from tablets directly so that its access time is faster than web-based applications, and the interface is made similar to eReading application tablets so users become familiar with using the tablet as well.
In general, the proposed application consists of a main menu that can be read on a detailed scenario modeling application, as follows:
1. User Management, consisting of a Register sub menu where, the first time the application is installed on the tablet, some user information is required, ie Library ID, password, email, IM ID/Twitter/Facebook/Skype, and the terms of conditions with respect to copyright issues. Other information is already defined by the library, such as the type of membership which is automatically present depend on the Library User ID, which will determine user access rights to the collection depending on the policies of each library. Login: this menu appears if the user wants to collaborate. The user will be prompted to login to one of the desired collaboration applications. Edit Profile is created when the user wants to change the data e.g. personal passwords, Email, and YM ID/Twitter/Facebook/Skype information.
2. Store is a storage server library collection. The facility consists of the search sub-menu Simple/Advanced Search. Through a simple search a user just enters the desired keywords and then the application will find a match from all the library collections in question and would display them beginning with the most relevant. The Advanced Search menu allows users to search the collection, more specifically by author, title, subject, date of publication (range), and the type collection. Search results can be displayed based on the most relevant or by published year or the most favorite (Top Chart). New Arrivals and All Collections can be sorted by collection released date categories, Collection Type, and Top Chart. Overview: describes the collection itself, and there is a link in this sub-menu if the user wants to borrow, share, and make comments or recommendations on this collection for other users.
3. Collaboration: This facility allows the user to conduct a discussion about the book being read by other users who may also have found the collection that the original user was reading. In addition, users may contact the librarian either to discuss or request something else, because it will connect with a librarian reference. Collaboration can be done via email, Yahoo Messenger, Skype, Facebook or Twitter. 4. Circulation. This facility allows users to directly transact a loan after searching the
collection. If the collection is being borrowed by another user, the user must make a booking so that the loan will be placed on a waiting list. For a collection that is being borrowed, a user can borrow it and read it offline from the tablet after the download. And if the loan is up, then the collection would instantly disappear from the list of loans and be put in the history list automatically.
5. My Library. This sub-menu provides information from the user's readings specifically and personally, consisting of User Recommendation Collections, Collection Borrowing, My Selection Collection, Booking Collection, and My Reading Statistics. User Recommendation Collections is a collection list recommended by the system to the user based on his/her library collection searching and borrowing history, Collection Borrowing consists of the collection lists that are being borrowed by the user, My Selection Collection is the collection that had been borrowed by the user along with any comments and/or information and/or advice given by the user of the collection read. Booking Collection is information from the waiting list on booked loans. The information provided is the waiting list titles and waiting time estimates. My Reading Statistics gives user information on reading performance such as percentage of reading completed for collections being read, the numbers of turned pages, and reading hours. While for all the collections that have been read the system will provide total information on collections that are read, total hours, pages per hour, numbers and types of collections, and favorite reading hours.
6. About Library. This sub-menu informs users about the library, such as history, types of services, contact information, etc.
Some examples ofGraphic UserInterface(GUI) can be seen inthe image below:
Picture 2. Store Interface
Overview
[Title...]
[Author]
[edition, publisher, year]
[... ... ... ...] Borrow Related Titles Share Give review &
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 12 ‐6 AM 6 AM ‐12 PM 12 ‐6 PM 6 PM ‐12 AM
Picture 4. My Library Interface
FUTURE WORK
Once the interface is created the next step is the construction and deployment in cooperation with a team of IT developers (system analysts, programmers, quality assurance system, etc.). Is required graphic design experts who can make this application becomes extremely interesting and interactive. Apart from the development application a few things should be done by the library is the provision of e-content in this application. Availability of e-content in significant amounts and in accordance with user needs is critical to successful application. Things that need to be done is the library should be able to convince publishers that willing work together to give permission to the library to lend its digital collections in the application has been made, certainly to ensure that copyright infringement can be well anticipated. In addition the library is also have to cooperate with the tablet application provider in application development library. With the rapid development of tablet technology, the tablet library application should also continue to be upgraded in various application tablet, then the library should get full support from the IT expert in the development of sustainable applications
Furthermore, after the deployment (implementation) Check and Act steps remain to be done, which receives inputs from the user, or errors found during the implementation. Hereinafter, do repairs and anticipate the next error, as well if there are subsequent system development based on technological developments and user needs.
REFERENCES
Avery, Z, et. al. Implementing Collaborative Project-Based Learning Using the Tablet PC to Enhance Student Learning in Engineering and Computer Science Courses. 40th ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, 2010, F1E 1 - F1E 7.
Benson, L. and Pargas, R. P. Work in Progress - Tablet PCs as Interactive Web- Based Instruction Tools in a First Year Engineering Course. 38th ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, 2008, T4A 15 – 17.
Olsen, D. et. al. Work in Progress - Can the Tablet PC Provide “New Opportunities to Learn?”. 38th ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, 2008, S4A 5 -6.
Purwanto, D. and Wahyudi, R. “Bacaan” Digital Lebih Banyak Diakses Pengguna Tablet. Kompas.com, Feb 29, 2012.
Rachman, T. Hingga 2014, iPad akan Dominasi Pasar Tablet. Republika.co.id, 2011.
Romney, C. Work in Progress - Tablet PCs in Interactive Undergraduate Mathematics. 39th ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, 2009, W1J 1- W1J 2.
Salahuddien, M. Keamanan Internet Indonesia: Catatan 2011 dan Proyeksi 2012. http://elmoony.wordpress.com, 2012.
Tablet PC: Definition. http://searchmobilecomputing.techtarget.com/definition/tablet-PC . Retrived March 22nd, 2012
