In a conventional learning environment, students access prescribed and recommended learning materials by visiting the school library. They have to visit the school library when it is open. A librarian issues printed or physical books to students subject to availability. However, digital technologies and tools are all set to make conventional school libraries obsolete.
A surge is being noticed in the number of schools switching from conventional libraries to digital library platforms. A digital library platform for schools allows students to access content without any restrictions. A student can access the digital library software anytime and anywhere using a desktop, laptop, smartphone, or tablet.
Also, he has the option to understand a topic or concept in a variety of ways – reading eBooks, watching educational videos, listening to audiobooks, and taking quizzes. Hence, digital library platforms help schools meet the expectations and preferences of Gen Z students. However, there are a slew of reasons why digital library platforms have become essential for educational institutions.
10 Reasons Why Digital Library Platforms Have Become Essential for Schools
1. Surge in Smartphone Access
Several studies suggest a rapid increase in the number of students with access to smartphones at home. In India, about 74% of students studying in private schools access smartphones at home. Likewise, over 40% of undergraduate students in the USA complete course-related activities using smartphones or tablets. Access to smartphones and tablets has changed the way students access learning materials. No school can meet the expectations and preferences of Gen Z students without setting up a digital library.
- 2. Anytime and Anywhere Access
Most schools these days offer online courses and degrees. No school can boost distance or online learning without ensuring the seamless delivery of learning material across regions. Conventional libraries do not help schools offer online courses and certification programs. However, a digital library platform for schools facilitates and drives online learning. Students can access the digital library software anytime regardless of their location. Also, they can acquire knowledge by accessing eLearning content using computers or mobile devices.
- Multi-Format Content
Mobile devices enable students to understand a topic by accessing multimedia content instead of reading textbooks. However, the choice of digital content format varies across students. Top digital library platforms for schools cater to the varying needs and preferences of students by delivering content in different formats – eBooks, journals, audio, video, quizzes, and simulations. The multi-format content enables students to understand a topic in a variety of ways.
- 4. Vernacular Learning
Top schools these days support and promote vernacular education. They enable students to acquire knowledge by accessing content in their mother language. Conventional libraries make schools purchase books in English and regional languages. However, leading digital library software supports multiple languages. Hence, it becomes easier for schools to enable students to access learning materials in their preferred language.
- Learner Engagement
Several studies suggest that over 85% of students do not complete online courses and certification programs. No school can provide online and distance education successfully without increasing the online course completion rates. As a tried and tested learner engagement technique, gamification helps schools increase online course completion rates by keeping students engaged. New-age digital library platforms for schools keep students engaged by providing gamification features like badges, coins, and scorecards.
- Curated Content
In the age of big data, schools must focus on helping and encouraging students to analyze information. They must promote critical thinking by exposing students to various perspectives and viewpoints. Digital library platforms share curated content with students. Leading digital library software gathers and shares thought leadership content using artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. The curated content helps students understand a topic deeply by accessing content shared by subject matter experts.
- Up-to-Date Content
In the digital age, no school can boost knowledge delivery without updating learning content regularly. Conventional libraries make it difficult for schools to provide students with access to updated content. Also, many schools lack the resources required to update content regularly. Digital library software helps schools provide up-to-date content to students without escalating costs. The administrator can provide the latest information by making students access the most recent edition of eBooks and multimedia content.
- Information Retrieval
While visiting conventional school libraries, students put in extra time and effort to find relevant information. Leading digital library platforms for schools feature intuitive search interfaces. A student can use the search interface to access relevant information in seconds. In addition, he can use filters to access the content in his preferred format.
- Cost Reduction
Conventional libraries require schools to incur upfront and ongoing costs. In addition to investing in infrastructure and printed books, schools spend money on procuring new books and preserving existing books. However, a school can implement a cloud-based digital library platform based on the pay-as-you-use pricing model. Also, it can curtail costs by customizing and scaling the cloud-based software according to precise content needs.
- Sustainability
Most schools these days prepare and motivate students to reduce their carbon footprints by teaching sustainability. They help students protect the planet by sharing various sustainability best practices. However, conventional libraries make it difficult for schools to become sustainable. On the other hand, digital library platforms make schools sustainable by replacing printed books with multimedia content.
Conclusion
In addition to boosting learning experience and learner engagement, leading digital library platforms drive online learning and distance learning. Cloud computing helps schools implement, customize, and scale digital library platforms by reducing costs and complexities.
A school can further build a unified learning platform by combining the cloud-based digital library with existing eLearning tools like online classroom software and learning management systems. However, decision-makers must evaluate leading digital library platforms for schools using the right parameters or criteria.