2012 - gov on the go: mobile content assessment and evaluation
DESCRIPTION
Government information is now being made available on the go via smart phone applications. This session will explore creating mobile applications using government information as well as one government library’s experience evaluating mobile applications for use in an agency setting.TRANSCRIPT
.GOV ON THE GO MOBILE CONTENT ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION
RESEARCH SPECIALIST
photo by flickr user xraijs_
HEIDI PETERS DoD SUPPORT CONTRACTOR
• Context o Wide Angle o In the Weeds
• Goals • Methodology • Results • Next Steps
OVERVIEW
photo by flickr user un_cola 07-18-2012 | SLA Annual
CONTEXT: WIDE ANGLE January 2012—29% of U.S. adults own tablet/e-reader
March 2012—46% of U.S. adults own smartphone
April 2012– 10% global Internet traffic is mobile use
May 2012– India mobile web use surpassed desktop web use
Source: May 2012 KPCB “Internet Trends” report; March 2012 Pew Internet report 07-18-2012 | SLA Annual
CONTEXT: IN THE WEEDS • Support DoD R&D agency with highly
mobile user base
• Avg. 30-50% of work week spent on travel or off-site program development work
• Need immediate access to authoritative information
• FY12 user survey demonstrated 17% growth in interest for mobile content
07-18-2012 | SLA Annual
• Utilize iPads being trialed by agency to support off-site research work
• Provide high quality, authoritative content to our user base at their point of information need, regardless of their physical location
• Investigate “state of the field” for STEM-oriented mobile applications
PROJECT GOALS
07-18-2012 | SLA Annual
METHODOLOGY 1. Select mobile resources to review 2. Obtain IT evaluation/approval 3. Develop assessment toolkit 4. Content and usability assessment 5. Analyze results 6. Formulate next steps
07-18-2012 | SLA Annual
SELECTION OF RESOURCES
07-18-2012 | SLA Annual
• ID current STEM resource vendors offering apps or mobile optimized sites
• Focused testing on familiar, trusted resources for our user base
• Apps had to be available at no additional fee
• Included non-mobile optimized sites to establish performance baseline
PARTNERSHIP WITH IT
07-18-2012 | SLA Annual
• Installation required security evaluation and approval by IT department
• Had to determine correct POC and procedures
• First group of apps submitted took over 2 months to approve
• Second group of apps submitted took less than a week to approve
TOOLKIT DEVELOPMENT
07-18-2012 | SLA Annual
• Created assessment tool to objectively gauge usability & content provision
• Based tool design on guidance outlined in NSF “Project Evaluation” handbook
• Metrics included: o Content availability & currency o Ease of sharing or saving content o Functionality & navigation o User interactivity o Affective design
ASSESSMENT & RESULTS
07-18-2012 | SLA Annual
• Simulated work environments of off-site agency personnel
• Strengths o Provision of dynamic content & news o Quick reference
• Weaknesses o Apps trying to replicate desktop
database research o Interface scaling & design
NEXT STEPS
07-18-2012 | SLA Annual
• Technology open house event to showcase accomplishments of pilot
• Use of assessment toolkit going forward to evaluate new mobile content
• Communicate our findings with vendors o Evaluation of content and container o Participate in mobile conversation o Drive innovation and change