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Libraries Without Books: How Online Library Collections Are Shaping E-Learning in Today’s Universities October 22, 2010

Posted by elearningtyro in : Useful Resources , 1 comment so far

This guest post is contributed by Angelita Williams, who writes for online college courses.  She welcomes your comments at her email Id: angelita.williams7@gmail.com

E-learning has picked up speed in university settings with the advent and rapid expansion of online courses over the last 10 years, as well as the use of e-learning platforms like Blackboard to supplement traditional courses. Virtual university libraries emerged as the next logical step to aid college students in the e-learning process. The idea of universities’ virtual libraries making e-books and research articles available to students online is nothing new. But until now, the virtual university library has primarily been a supplemental thing the cherry on top of a physical library where real volumes of real bound books sit in neatly organized rows. What’s new is the idea of eliminating physical books from libraries entirely and moving all or at least the lion’s share of books and research articles online.

I read an interesting article in USA Today recently that explores how the University of Texas at San Antonio’s Applied Engineering and Technology Library lays claim to being perhaps the first university library to make its on-site collection available only online. You’ve probably heard of people going paperless with their bills. In this case, the library has gone bookless. You heard it right you won’t find any bound books sitting in this university library. This virtual library isn’t shrimpy either. Students have access to 425,000 e-books and 18,000 electronic journal articles from this bookless library.

The reason an accomplishment like this is possible is due to the fact that today’s modern students are well acclimatized to reading books and conducting research online. The introduction of products like the Kindle and Nook have facilitated a move to reading books online for leisure. Online degree programs are continuing their push toward making textbooks available online along with everything else. It only makes sense that you can find complete library resources online and even instant message librarians for help.

The article also discusses how some university libraries have greatly reduced the number of bound books they have on their shelves, instead investing in collecting more online books and materials. Many physical books have been moved to off-site storage at these libraries, where they are available on request. In addition, many university libraries are beginning to devote less space to books and more space for study and meeting space.

Is UT San Antonio’s bookless library a sign of things to come? This remains to be seen.

Best E-Learning Bloggers & Blog Posts (October 03, 2010 to October 09, 2010) October 13, 2010

Posted by elearningtyro in : Announcements , 1 comment so far

We are pleased to announce the best e-learning bloggers and blog posts of the previous week (October 03, 2010 to October 09, 2010).

Best Bloggers of the Week

The “Best E-Learning Bloggers of the Week” are:

Best Blog Posts of the Week

The “Best E-Learning Blog Posts of the Week” are:

Here are the aspects we look into a blogger or a blog post when selecting the above list.

Congratulations winners!