Educational use of smart phone technology

Abstract

Purpose – This paper aims to present the results of a survey of undergraduate student use of smart phone applications. Design/methodology/approach – Undergraduate students currently enrolled in an information literacy course answered an online survey regarding their use of applications (apps) on their smart phones. Findings – However, still a small percentage of most frequently used apps (10.4 percent), search engines, online encyclopedias, and libraries are used by undergraduate students. The apps used most often are familiar to them and allow mobile access to popular web sites available on personal computers. Furthermore, a significant number (76 percent) of undergraduate students also report that they use apps to find academic information. The type of app most frequently used to find academic information is search engines. Originality/value – This research provides evidence on the actual use of mobile devices by students for library administrators and educators interested in developing integrated mobile academic library applications.