Supporting mobile learning: Usability of digital collections in Croatia for use on mobile devices

Abstract

Mobile learning is growing in popularity as use of mobile devices by students worldwide increases. At the same time the number of digital information resources such as digital collections in libraries available online has also increased. Digital collections in libraries are valuable and proven resource of information in education. As students use mobile devices more frequently it is expected that use of digital information resources including digital collections in education will also increase. To achieve this goal user interfaces of digital collections must be developed in such a manner to be easily used, especially on mobile devices. This paper presents results of the research of elements of user interfaces of digital collections in libraries in Croatia available on the Web to establish the level of their mobile usability and accessibility as a prerequisite for their potential use in the learning process. To fulfill that potential, digital collections have to support different screen sizes on mobile devices and be accessible on new and old mobile devices, offer assortment of common functions to user etc. The results of this research will help librarians in planning further development of digital collections and educators in planning use of digital collections in their curricula.