Bodystorming Mobile Learning Experiences

Bodystorming is a technique used by designers to better understand how the settings where interactive systems are deployed might affect their intended uses. The articulation of design concepts “in the wild” and using forms of performance and improvisation are intended to help designers become more aware of contextual issues that may not be revealed in traditional brainstorming exercises. Bodystorming can be a useful technique for designers of mobile learning experiences, as it helps make interactions between learners, devices, and locations more explicit. The general method is described in this paper and followed by two case studies of its use in the design of mobile learning experiences.     

Web Accessibility Assessment of Urban Public Library Websites

In an age of ubiquitous information and communication technologies, urban public libraries are some of the only places to provide free Internet access for all members of the community regardless of ability or disability. This study provides a website accessibility assessment of the 127 U.S. public library members of the Urban Library Council, using the World Wide Web Consortium’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines to establish the level of Web readiness of urban public libraries to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities. Findings suggest these libraries require additional and ongoing maintenance to be digitally inclusive.     

Altitude and wind effects on long jump performance with particular reference to the world record established by Bob Beamon

An analysis of long jump performance, including both the approach and aerial phases, is applied to Bob Beamon's legendary leap at the Mexico City Olympic Games of 1968. It is shown that the combined effects of altitude and wind assistance yielded an increment in the length of the jump of about 31 cm, compared to a corresponding jump at sea level under still air conditions. The main factor is shown to be the increased sprinting speed attained under favourable conditions of wind and altitude.     

Psychological assessment and dyslexia: parents’ perspectives

The purpose of this paper is to explore parents’ perceptions of the process of having their child assessed for dyslexia by an independent Educational Psychologist and the affective impact on the child or young person. The research was carried out as part of an evaluation of the services offered by the Northern Ireland Dyslexia Centre (NIDC). The methodology involved the use of a postal survey questionnaire with both qualitative and quantitative outcomes. Findings are discussed in the context of strategies for promoting partnerships with parents and affective-academic pathways for learners with dyslexia.     

Medical informatics: the Pittsburgh experience

This column reports the results of a survey conducted of medical librarian participants in medical informatics training at the University of Pittsburgh. This small study was undertaken in order to identify issues in training different kinds of library and information science practitioners in medical informatics.