Award Report- Tablet Technology Competencies for Teaching
The Schaffer Library of Health Sciences used the National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Middle Atlantic Region Technology Improvement Grant Award to fund the purchase of four Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet computers. Librarians are developing expertise and compiling practical recommendations to meet the technical support needs of students.
Approximately fifty percent of reference questions asked within the first month of the academic year were related to tablet technology. Initially, about half of these questions were referred to the Information Services (IS) Department. The number of referrals decreased in the following months.
Librarians are now able to provide support for connectivity, software, and other device-related questions. Generally, the questions that librarians are unable to answer relate to institutional infrastructure issues or defective devices.
Tablet training sessions have been conducted for large student groups with individual follow-up sessions as needed. Additionally, institutional wireless network connectivity enables librarians to bring the tablets to offices, conference rooms, and small group study venues to deliver real-time education programs and point of need service.
Enid Geyer- The Schaffer Library of Health Sciences , Albany Medical College. Albany, NY
