by Nicole Hennig | Nov 17, 2015
Photo by Marcus Kwan (aperturismo on Flickr).
Natural user interfaces are making computing easier for all ages and abilities
The widespread adoption of mobile computing is a good thing for librarians who care about access for all. That’s because mobile devices make use of “natural user interfaces,” and those interfaces are making computing easier for people of all ages and abilities.
Success stories
Have you heard the many stories of success that people with disabilities are having with mobile apps? Here’s an example.
Todd is a successful businessman, entrepreneur, and public speaker. An accident at age eight caused a spinal cord injury that left him as a C4 quadriplegic. (more…)
by Nicole Hennig | May 14, 2015
The reason I got an Apple Watch (besides that I enjoy being an “early adopter”) is that I teach courses about mobile apps for librarians and educators. So I’m interested in the future of wearable technologies, how they might be used for education, and how they could make computing more accessible.
Unboxing my Apple Watch. Comes with an extra band.
The watch taps you.
I’m also very interested in what’s happening with “haptic” technology — Apple’s “force touch” is an example of this and it’s explained on their website: (more…)
by Nicole Hennig | Mar 28, 2015
There are many possibilities for using apps in creative ways in libraries. In my online course, “The Book as iPad App,” one of the assignments is to participate in a virtual brainstorming activity about this topic.
Librarians in my course are from school, academic, and public libraries, and this list is based on the many creative ideas they came up with. Since this course was focused on interactive book apps, the ideas are mostly about those. Feel free to imagine using these ideas for all types of apps.
The list is grouped into these categories: (more…)
by Nicole Hennig | Mar 20, 2015
I recently learned that Goodreads has a feature where authors can give away free copies of their books in “giveaways” managed by Goodreads. So I signed up. I have 10 copies of Apps for Librarians to give away.
The contest begins on Monday, March 23 and lasts for a month. On April 22 Goodreads will randomly pick 10 entries from all who entered and send me your name and address so I can mail you your free copy. (USA & Canada only)
They don’t have giveaways for ebooks yet, so this is for a print copy. (list price: $45)
It’s not required to review the book, but if you’re a winner Goodreads will encourage it, and I would appreciate your ratings and reviews!
Enter here (or use the button above) — between March 23 and April 22.
by Nicole Hennig | Feb 26, 2015
In my online course, Apps for Librarians and Educators, one of the assignments is to read some of Apple’s iOS Human Interface Guidelines.
These guidelines are for app developers, but it’s also very useful and eye-opening for app users to become familiar with them — especially if you are an information professional or educator who helps others with mobile apps and writes reviews of them.
These are the sections I ask my students to read: (more…)
by Nicole Hennig | Dec 26, 2014
I’m in the midst of creating a new online course called Organize Your Life with Mobile Apps. If you’ve ever lost important information or forgot to bring it with you, this will help.
Have you been too busy to find and set up the best apps for organizing your life?
I’ve met many people who tell me they are too busy to set up and use any new apps. They use email, web browsers, Facebook, and a few games on their iPhone or Android smartphone — but not productivity apps. If this sounds like you, this course will help. (more…)
