Multiple studies suggest that the majority of students have access to smartphones at home. These tech-savvy students use their mobile devices to understand a topic by accessing digital learning content in multiple formats. The increase in mobile device access and screen time makes digital libraries essential for schools, colleges, universities, and other educational institutions.
A digital library enables educational institutions to boost learner experiences by meeting the changing needs and expectations of students. Students can use the digital software to access learning content anytime and anywhere. Also, the software creates opportunities for them to acquire knowledge by accessing content in multiple formats and languages.
Cloud-based digital library solutions enable educational institutions to deliver multi-format content without increasing upfront and ongoing costs. Also, an educational institution can use the digital library as a robust tool to drive self-paced, instructor-led, and blended learning. We can understand the growing significance of this edtech solution by discussing the key benefits of digital libraries for educational institutions.
10 Ways Digital Libraries Are Benefiting Every Educational Institution
1. Anytime and Anywhere Access
Unlike conventional libraries, digital libraries do not impose time-based access restrictions. A student can access the web-based software anytime and anywhere over the internet. New-age digital library software delivers a seamless user experience across devices and platforms. Hence, it becomes easier for students to access learning content at their own pace using computers or mobile devices. The unrestricted access helps educational institutions deliver online learning and remote learning.
2. Multi-Format Content Delivery
As noted earlier, internet users these days access digital content in a variety of ways. Some of them prefer reading eBooks and journals, while others opt for multimedia content. A digital library is developed as a repository of multi-format digital content. Content diversity helps educational institutions boost students’ learning experiences by creating opportunities for them to acquire knowledge in a preferred way.
3. Curated Content Sharing
The off-the-shelf content delivered by the digital library enables educational institutions to curb content creation time and costs. At the same time, the digital library helps students understand topics deeply by sharing curated content. New-age digital library solutions use artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to share relevant and valuable content collected from credible online sources. The feature creates opportunities for students to acquire knowledge by accessing thought leadership content.
4. Learner Engagement
Most educational institutions find it challenging to increase online course completion rates. They overcome the challenge by keeping students engaged and motivated. Digital library software boosts learner engagement by supporting gamified and collaborative learning techniques. It gamifies students’ learning experience by providing features like badges, scorecards, and virtual coins. At the same time, it enables students to collaborate in a virtual learning environment using features like discussion forums, query corners, and chat tools.
5. Multiple Language and User Support
Digital libraries are developed with multi-user capabilities. A large number of users can access the online software seamlessly and simultaneously. Hence, an educational institute can enable multiple students to read the same eBook or watch the same video without escalating costs. At the same time, the multilingual support provided by the virtual library enables each student to access eLearning content in his preferred language.
6. Search Capabilities
In addition to delivering off-the-shelf content and sharing curated content, digital library software makes it easier for students to find relevant learning resources. Students can use the intuitive search interface provided by the software to find relevant learning resources related to specific topics or subjects. Also, they can find content in the preferred format using filters, tags, and other options. The robust search capabilities help students understand a topic deeply as well as conduct research.
7. Real-Time Updates
Physical books make it challenging for educational institutions to provide up-to-date information to students. Digital libraries provide up-to-date information about topics and concepts to students by sharing curated content. Also, the software tracks the changes and updates made to the learning resources regularly. It helps students access updated content by sending real-time notifications. Likewise, it makes administrators update content proactively by sending notifications.
8. Administrative Task Automation
Leading digital library platforms come with built-in automation tools. These tools help educational institutions manage virtual libraries efficiently without deploying additional staff. While implementing the software, administrators can automate common library management tasks like material acquisition, cataloging, user management, and preservation. In addition, the software helps them monitor and boost the library management process by generating reports based on real-time access and usage data.
9. Integration Capabilities
The cloud-based digital libraries come with robust application programming interfaces (APIs). The APIs help educational institutions build an integrated unified learning platform by combining the digital library with various eLearning tools. For instance, an educational institution can boost eLearning content access and delivery by integrating the digital library with a learning management system (LMS) or online classroom software.
10. Sustainability
Like enterprises, educational institutions protect the planet by fostering sustainability. The negative impact of physical books on the environment makes it challenging for them to become sustainable without abandoning conventional libraries. A surge is being noted in the number of schools, colleges, and universities implementing digital libraries to protect the nature and environment. However, digital libraries help them curtail upfront and ongoing costs by eliminating the need to invest in infrastructure, staff, and physical books.
Conclusion
Digital libraries help educational institutions boost traditional and online learning by meeting the changing needs and expectations of students. An educational institution can leverage the edtech solution to boost traditional learning by enabling students to replace print books with outdated books. At the same time, the software makes it easier for educational institutions to deliver remote and online learning efficiently by enabling students to access multi-format eLearning content.
However, every organization can make the most out of the edtech tool only by implementing the right digital library software. Decision-makers must opt for digital library software that can be customized and scaled on demand. In addition, they should boost the digital library by integrating it with important edtech tools like learning management systems and online classroom software. That is why; most educational institutions these days prefer cloud-based digital libraries to onsite digital libraries.
