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Purpose – This paper discusses the development of a system using SMS (short messaging system) to facilitate learning and also as a new method in the evaluation of teaching and learning.
Design/methodology/approach – The design of a system that uses SMS for the quiz is proposed as an alternative for formative assessment of teaching and learning for courses at institutions of higher learning in Malaysia. The fundamental idea of the SMS assessment system is based on the SMS function which is the basic feature of the normal mobile phone to receive and send text messages at anytime and anywhere. This will allow the formative assessment to be done in a course with a more flexible approach.
Findings – It is found that the quiz through SMS has the potential to be used in the teaching and learning environment. However there are some constraints and issues in the operation of this system that needs to be addressed before the system can be utilized optimally. These constraints and issues involve the system stability, the users/students and other general issues.
Originality/value – This article offers a new alternative for lecturers, teachers and students in the implementation of formative assessment quizzes via SMS.
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discover how college students perceive text messaging reference (SMS), chat reference, and face-to-face reference services.
Design/methodology/approach – The authors administered surveys about chat, text messaging (SMS), and face-to-face reference to students enrolled in a one-credit library skills course. Survey results focus on users' willingness to return, their perceptions of chat and text messaging (SMS) reference, and the reasons they choose to utilize different communication mediums for reference service.
Findings – College students value the availability of high-quality, quick, convenient, personalized reference assistance, regardless of medium used.
Practical implications – Academic libraries can personalize reference services, but also need to offer ways for patrons to ask questions anonymously.
Social implications – Robust communication contributes to the perceived usefulness and success of library reference services. Effective reference service provided at the point-of-need helps build positive student-librarian relationships.
Originality/value – This study aims to contribute to reference services research by bringing new technology into consideration. It focuses on two technologies (chat and SMS reference) in light of another available method (in-person reference desk). This study is based on a 2002 study about patron perceptions of chat reference (Ruppel and Fagan), which is compared to the current study's results.
Purpose – Short Message Service (SMS) is an application which is widely used in mobile telephony. SMS messaging through mobile phones is very popular among young and old. This study aims to look at how SMS technology can be very effectively used in library and information services with a glimpse into a pilot project conducted by University of Swaziland and Emerald Group Publishing Limited and the subsequent need for creating a prototype for the SMS-based library alert services and marketing of library services.
Design/methodology/approach – Following the pilot project conducted by the University of Swaziland and Emerald Group Publishing Limited for a period of two months (March-April 2009), the findings and the methodology used for the project prompted further research. Data and experience gained during the pilot project is predominantly used in the paper.
Findings – This study finds that the library users can be successfully motivated and engaged to use the resources through SMS messaging and have the potential to market library services. It also finds out that there is a need to have a prototype for essential services for the benefit of the users as well as to market the library resources.
Research limitations/implications – The pilot project was a short project with specific user base. This project was not tested on heterogeneous user base. The prototype model also works on certain assumptions and limitations. At the prototype level different files are suggested and they are handled separately because of which an open ended script method is suggested. Longer SMSs, which cannot be sent by the SMS server, need to be either split up into several messages or stored in the server as a webpage and sent as a hyperlink in SMSs.
Practical implications – To implement the prototype, various steps highlighted in the paper are to be followed and since each action needs to be operated separately, it cannot be claimed as a single click SMS-based alert service.
Originality/value – This study presents a method for implementing SMS-based alert service in libraries. With the experience gained in a similar practical environment, an attempt has been made to create a prototype. This may serve as an important milestone in integrating such a service into the future integrated library services (ILS).
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine young consumers' motives for using short message service (SMS), their SMS usage frequency, and their attitudes towards SMS advertising.
Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected using convenience sampling via a self administered questionnaire in a large Western Australia university. A total of 211 useable responses were collected and retained for analysis.
Findings – Factor analysis on the motives for using SMS revealed seven factors. The results showed that convenience and economical reasons influence SMS usage frequency. Social involvement is also found to influence attitudes towards SMS advertising.
Research limitations/implications – The sample is only limited to young consumers in an Australian context. As such, limited generalization can be derived. Future research can look into cross cultural studies or other consumer segments.
Practical implications – Marketers and advertisers can look into crafting relevant and targeted messages to reach young consumers. Furthermore, referrals can be another option to reach the young consumer market. Pricing strategies and integrating SMS advertising with other forms of media can be further explored.
Originality/value – Many prior studies have focused on an Asian or European context. Limited research has been done to investigate the relationship between motives for using SMS and attitudes towards SMS as an advertising tool.
Purpose – In an attempt to meet evolving client needs, Southbank Library needed to become more flexible in the way services were delivered. The paper investigates whether providing a short message service (SMS) for students to text the library for information would offer a readily accessible alternative to e-mail and live chat services.
Design/methodology/approach – SMS reference services where thoroughly researched in Australia and overseas to gage their usefulness for Southbank Institute libraries. Demographic statistics of the student population allowed researchers to determine how appropriate SMS reference technology would prove to be for library clients.
Findings – The paper finds that implementing SMS reference allowed the library the opportunity to access students via a familiar accessible service. SMS a Librarian has become part of the Southbank Institute Library Ask a Librarian service, which includes e-mail, phone and live chat access for students and staff. By adding this new technology to the reference services, users are now able to send questions and receive answers from Southbank librarians by using the text messaging facility on their mobile phones.
Practical applications – SMS has become a popular way of communicating particularly among the younger generation. However, it is important that individual libraries evaluate the appropriateness of this technology for their clientele. For Southbank library it was a suitable technology as so many of the students use text messaging. It was felt that a large number of international students would benefit from this service. Often students with English as a second language feel more comfortable texting a question then using more conventional methods of communication. The success of the SMS reference service at Southbank Institute library revolves around three key points: SMS meets our clients' needs instantly; SMS is a relevant form of communication for students; and finally, the ease of providing SMS technology.
Originality/value – When researching other educational institutions using SMS reference technology it became clear that universities were leading the field. Southbank Institute of Technology was the first vocational education institute to implement SMS reference and its experience should benefit similar skilled-based training institutes.