ICT ELC DEPT.

VIRTUAL LIBRARY

HOW TO ACCESS AND PLATFORMS

LATEST DEVELOPMENT

OBSTACLES THEN AND NOW

ELC VIRTUAL LIBRARY

FUTURE DEVELOPMENT AND PROJECTS

IBRA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

Ms. Laila Al-Hajri Mr. Majid Hilal Amur Al-Rashdi Mr. Kerem Karacaer

ICT ELC DEPARTMENT VIRTUAL LIBRARY The VIRTUAL LIBRARY is a directory of resources that consists of 500 readers collected from all of the world publishers converted in to electronic format with audio files to accompany them. The Virtual Library was created and is currently maintained by Kerem Karacaer. The project started when students wanted to access books not only for reading in the library but also to keep as a future reference to use as English material. Unfortunately, due to the number of restrictions and limited opportunities it was not possible for students to do. Therefore it was thought that, if there was a repository of unlimited access to the same material with tremendous variety presented in a nonstatic platform students would be able to benefit from this at any time and place at their convenience. The idea of the virtual library was thus born. The materials utilized were 500 books with audio files from a personal repository, a 4 TB network hard disk from a cache of materials and communication with the IT department. The first step was to utilize the personal Network Hard Disk and create an isolated environment to work on the development of using the first test area. Once completed, establishing a network domain using real IP numbers was successful with team work from the side of the IT department. Later, eliminating material that would not be suitable according to religious or cultural standards was done. Finally, after separating the books according to the learners levels, the IT department provided a static area that could be manageable by ELC to move the library to its final home. All of these operations took an immense amount of time with much of it done on any available breaks, weekends and overtime every day. At the same time, it was gladly done in the spirit of contributing to the students of the College and to future learners who may pass through these halls. How to access and platforms The virtual library resides in a static home inside the ITC server. Its location is: \\Files-server\ict\ELC\ELC LIBRARY Currently, all teachers are able to access with read only access authority. This level of access has been granted only in the nature of preservation and to prevent any tampering with the material. As a platform, the files can be accessed by desktop computers, laptops, notebooks, tablets (Android, Windows, IOS Apple) devices, Smartphones, Pocket PCs and any device that can acquire an IP number. The library is versatile in its standards possessing the ability to be accessed from any known device having its own operating system. Latest Development In accordance with its completion of its first phase the virtual library will be developed in many structural levels as enhancements as well within the quality of platform of which the material consists. The files are all multi-platform recognizable PDF electronic documents accompanied by Wav and Mp3 sound files. 50% of the files have their own audio files where the other half are PDF documents. One idea is to develop a new e-book architecture where all of the books will be converted into a new design in which each page will have its own audio file making listening easier to access. A new class of multimedia file may be more attractive and more user friendly than ever. A second approach is to add journals periodically and various material regarding each department. Journals of English language teaching, IT, architecture and business are being obtained as of the moment to incorporate into the library. A third idea is to download movies associated with particular books. Students, if given a chance to read a specific book in which the movies can be downloaded, within the English Club a date specified can be given to all students in which to watch the movie and

complete a report or worksheets. There is even an opportunity to raise a grade or have a pop-quiz. Consequently, much vocabulary can be obtained, new lexical chunks can be learned more over an interactive lesson with a step-by-step occasion where interacting with students pausing the video material and sessions of Q&A can be achieved. A synopsis of both the video and the related book could be analyzed. Possibilities with such material is infinite when left to the discretion of the teacher. Obstacles then and now The greatest obstacle was to be able to create an electronic atmosphere with the correct components. Strong relationships established with the IT department has granted opportunities to utilize the college network as needed and complete Phase One faster with a adequate deposit area. Future obstacles will be in the areas of the development of new multimedia files which could be time consuming. Discovering new digital periodicals, creating worksheets, querying and downloading related movies may all require much time but will be accomplished.