Augmented Reality?

So, it's been on my mind all week as I attended this conference. If you're not familiar with augmented reality, it's basically a way to use a mobile device's camera that adds information to the screen on whatever the user is looking at through the camera. Examples - heads-up displays on cars or fighter planes. The little yellow first down line that you see on football broadcasts. Could we implement augmented reality in the library? *Should* we try this at the library? What kind of information could we put up that would be useful? I could imagine using it to direct a user to a call number, or a specific section of the library. Maybe to show a student where a librarian's office is, and the contact information for that person. Stuff like that. Thoughts?

Yale Medical and iPads

Interesting article:  http://www.yaledailynews.com/news/2011/aug/26/med-school-gives-students-ipads/.

This is interesting because there's been a lot of discussion among medical librarians about the limitations of iPads for medical professionals:  namely, the lack of Flash.

However, the article really does emphasize the benefits of iPads in education--electronic texts, note-taking, and accessibility.  Take a look!

Did you see???

http://www.alastore.ala.org/detail.aspx?ID=3495

Rebecca, Carolyn, and Heather will be facilitating a webinar series for ALA TechSource entitled, "Integrating iPads and Tablet Computers into Library Services."

iPads and People with Disabilities

Interesting Mashable article:  4 Ways iPads Are Changing the Lives of People with Disabilities

It works, it works!

Just so you know, the author of this post, azcavalier, is Neal. That's just the username i've had on my Google account for years.

I've just finished editing the first stop of the new "Newman Library Audio Tour", stop no. 1. Then I uploaded it to the web, and created the QR code to activate it. I printed the code and took it to the Circulation desk, where I scanned it with the iPad. Almost *instantly* it started playing! Then I tried it with my iPod Touch. It didn't work, and then I realized I was a moron, and my iPod was not connected to the internet. Once I connected to VT Wireless, it worked great! Then Scott from Circulation came over and tried it with his Android phone. Perfect! I'm so stoked I think i'll do the next one....

7 Things You Should Know About iPad Apps for Learning

Available: http://www.educause.edu/Resources/7ThingsYouShouldKnowAboutiPadA/223289

An EDUCAUSE publication covering the basics of iPad apps in education!

Welcome!

This is the first post for the VT M.Library blog, where Virginia Tech librarians will discuss and review various applications, tips, and tools related to mobile technologies. While we are interested specifically in the iPad and its different uses in higher education, we may also discuss other types of mobile technologies and tools on this blog.