Teacher’s Awareness and practices of Digital resources in MAHATMA GANDHI kashi vidyapith, VARANASIV. K. BharatiPh.D. ScholarDepartment of Library and Information ScienceBabasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, (Central University)Lucknow U.P. INDIA-226 025Email: bharati.
[email protected]. M.P. SinghProfessor and HeadDepartment of Library and Information ScienceBabasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, (Central University)Lucknow U.P. INDIA-226 025Email: [email protected].
comABSTRACTA digital source is an important source of information which is available online as well as offline in digital form. It is increasing day to day rapidly. The uses of electronic resources have been essential for education and research. From the last ten years, free online information sources like electronics journals, books and databases etc have been increasing continuously. Earlier, Data and information were communicated by mouth or through manuscripts, and communication process was a very slow but now a day these are passing from one user to infinite users through media easily and vastly. At the University level this is utmost important for faculty members as well as students. In this paper, we are discussing the utilization and awareness of digital resources by faculty members of Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith, VaranasiKeywords: E-Resources, Internet, Awareness, Search Engines, Faculty Members1.
INTRODUCTIONWe are living in digital age .The education systems are continuously going on in the digital direction. Research and development works are getting base of the e resources in any institutions. The data and knowledge are available in the form of CD-ROMS, OPACs, web databases, Internet. The digital resources are replacing the user’s view towards print media, which were placed for centuries as the primary recorded information. Online resources have reached the fingertips of users in their convenient places. Donald, A.B.
L. (2005) reveals that, ” By 2015, many publications are issued only in electronic form, thousands of back runs of journals have now been digitized, and electronic copies of books, manuscripts, and images abound.” With the emergence of information technology the role and applications of libraries have been changed. As the use of digital library the users are expected to develop information literacy skills in research and development works. The library and information centers have been a hub of research and development work due ue to the widespread availability and use of various kinds of digital learning resources. The main purpose of the present study is to investigate the practices and awareness of digital resources by faculty members of the mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith Varanasi. The aims of the study is also to understand the use pattern of the digital resources whatever available in CD-ROM, online databases, online journals, Internet, e-mail and search engines form and also examine the methods of learning of digital resources by faculty members of the university.
2. about Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith is a UP state university placed in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The university might have been established eventually perusing Babu Shiv Prasad Gupt and Bhagwan Das in 192 with the name Kashi Vidyapith. The university name changed as Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith in 1995. The university has more than 400+ subsidiary colleges spread over five regions. It offers a range of academic courses for arts, science, commerce, law, registering also management. The university is having about 30 departments which are providing knowledge from UG to PhD. There are about 300 faculty members and 1000 technical and non technical staffs in various disciplines.
In 1974 the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, Pt. Kamlapati Tripathi initiated a state government determination on aggravate as much institute of higher education as university. At this duration the Prof. Raghukul Tilak might have been the vice-chancellor and the representative of U.P.Govt.
,to be chancellor become as UP university act. At present, the university is blossoming under the administration for Vice-Chancellor, Prof. T.
N. Singh. (MGKVP, Website, 2018). The Central library of the university is established in 1921 as Bhagwan das Swadhyaypith later on renamed as Dr.
Bhagwandas Central Library. The Library has huge collection of books and manuscripts. A large number prestigious pioneers about India similar to Pandit Jawahar lal Nehru, Jamunalal Bajaj, Acharya j. B.
Kripalani, Puroshottamdas Tandon, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai, Sampurnanand, Lal Bahadur Shastri, and Pandit Kamalapati Tripathi were nearly connected with this library. Library will be hosting enormous gathering for books in humanities, social sciences and science. It is developing as a centre of modern learning. It is a most lively place on the campus providing a safe, comfortable and friendly environment that enables learning and advancement of knowledge, and promotes discovery and scholarship. The Mission and future planning of the Central Library is to facilitate new knowledge through acquisition, organization and dissemination of digital resources and providing for value added services (MGKVP central library, Website, 2018).3. OBJECTIVESThe objectives of the study are:To find out the purposes for using digital resources.To assess problems faced by the faculty members while accessing e- resources.
To know the adequacy of information in digital format.To investigate the digital resources can replace the print resources.To suggest improving the quality services regarding digital library.
4. LITERATURE REVIEWLiterature reviews are a very important part of any study. Digital resources are the significant sources of research and development. These e-resources are speedy, reliable, useful and effective.
During the review several studies had been found related to this topic.Md. Sohail and Andleeb Alvi (2014) had been studied on Use of Web Resources by Medical Science Students of Aligarh Muslim University and they reveals that 76.08% of students find web resources as a reliable source. Mostly prefer digital resources for updating his /her knowledge.
Ellis and Oldman (2005) find out that through the use of digital resources, researchers and students now have access to global information resources particularly the Internet for their scholarly communication.Tenopir (2003) studied on the topic Use of digital resources in libraries and reviewed around 200 studies. He fined out that the digital resources are fairly used in the academic field.Asemi & Reyahiniya (2006) had been conducted a survey on “Awareness and use of digital resources in the libraries of Isfahan University of Medical Science, Iran” and indicate that majority of students are having awareness regarding digital resources of the university database Most of them are using the resources very well. Further, they point out that more awareness of digital literacy is increase the use of resources.
Kaanungo, Neena Talwar (2007) reveals that the 91% of the social scientists use internet as an important tool for research and development. Internet has indeed become a very fast communication medium for enhancing teaching, research and professional development for social scientist.5. SCOPE AND LIMITATIONThis study is based on the survey of the faculty members of Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith Varanasi only.
The study is limited to the use of digital resources by the faculty members only.6. METHODOLOGY This study is the based on survey method. Questionnaire was used for data collection. It cover relevant aspects of the study and the copies were distributed to the faculty members of Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith, Varanasi .Overall 100 questionnaires were distributed and 96 filled in questionnaires were returned by the respondents.
The collected data have been organized and tabulated by using M.S. Excel .Explanation have been showed in percentage and number both.7.
Data Analysis:7.1 Frequency Distribution of Respondent’s GenderFigure No.1Figure No.1It is clear from above chart that 100 questionnaires were distributed to the students and 90 were duly filled and received back. Out of 90 respondents responded against the questionnaire, of which 12 (13.
33%) were female faculty members and 78 (86.66 %) were male faculty members.7.2 Familiarity with Digital ResourcesFigure No.2The distribution of faculty members according to their familiarity to use digital resources is shows that 85 (94.44 %) of the faculty members were familiar with digital resources, while 05 (5.5 %) of the faculty members replied in the negative.
7.3 Frequency of using digital resourcesThe respondents were asked to indicate the frequency for which they make use of digitalresources.Figure No.3It is clear from above chart that 45( 50 % ) faculty members use digital resources weekly followed by 22 (24.44 %) monthly.
18(20.00%) faculty members use it daily, followed by 8(08.88 %) bi-annual and 7(07.77%) use annually.7.4 PREFERENCE of Using Search EngineFigure No.4It is clear that from above chart 64 (64.
81 %) Faculty members confirm that they prefer using search engine as Google, followed by 12 (18.15 %) on Yahoo, followed by 8(7.40 %) on internet explorer, followed by 4(7.40 %) on MSN, followed by 2(7.40 %) on Firefox.
7.5 PURPOSE of Using Digital ResourcesThe respondents were asked to indicate the purpose for which they make use of digital resources.Figure No. 5The above chart reveals that 35(38.38 %) of the faculty members indicated that the digital resources were used for research purpose, 25(27.
77 % ) for publishing articles/books, 20(22.22 %) for keeping up-to-date in subject area and 10 (11.11 %) for getting relevant information for other purpose.7.6 Place of Using digital ResourcesThe respondents were asked to indicate the purpose for which they make use of web resources.Figure No.
6It is clear from above chart that a majority of the respondents 73 (81.11 % ) accessed the digital resources from the university, while 12( 13.33%) accessed these from home and 05(5.55 %) used Internet café for accessing the digital resources.
7.7 Extent of digital resource awareness and usageFigure No. 7The table 7 reveals with regard to awareness and usage of digital resources. It is found that 68(75.55%) are having awareness of E-books followed by 60(66.66%) of e-journals. Further observed that 48(53.33%) are having awareness of Consortium, 58(64.
44%) of E-thesis and dissertation, 31 (34.44%) of Library web portal and 52(57.77%) of Institutional repository.
Regarding uses it is found that 58 (64.44%) are using frequently E- books followed by 50(55.55%) of E-Journals.37 (41.11%) are using Consortium, 45 (50.00%) E-thesis and dissertation, 23 (25.
55%) of Library web portal and 23(25.55%) of Institutional repository.7.
8 Reliability of Digital ResourcesFigure No. 8The table no.08 shows that 58(64.44%) % of the faculty members indicated that the information available in the digital resources was always adequate and 32(35.55 %) indicated the information available in the digital resources was some time adequate.7.
9 Assistance for Using Digital Resources Figure No. 9The figure no.9 shows that 58 (64.
44 %) of the faculty members learned the necessary skills to use digital resources through self-study/instruction, 7(7.77 %) learned from colleagues/friends and 25(27.7 %) from guidance from the library staff.7.
10 Problems Faced while Using Digital Resources Figure No. 10The figure no 10 shows that the faculty member’s problems faced while using digital resources. It is clear from above chart that 42(46.66 %) are facing slow access speed, 24(26.66 %) from difficulty in finding relevant information. 15(16.66 %) feel to lack of IT knowledge and 28(31.11 %) limited access to computer as the main problem to use digital resources.
7.11 Digital Resources versus Printed Resources:Figure No. 11 From the analysis of above diagram, it is clear that 54 (60 %) faculty members are getting information from the digital resources and 36 (40%) faculty members are getting information from the printed resources.7. CONCLUSION AND FINDINGS:The study of awareness and use of the digital resources by faculty members of Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith Varanasi show that most of the faculty members (85 %) were familiar with the use of digital resources. Mostly research scholars were availing the digital services twice in a week. Most of them were using search engines, e-mail, Internet, online journals, CD-ROM, and online databases. The study reveals that Majority of the faculty members were using digital resources for research purpose and publishing articles.
Majority of the faculty members were learned the required skills for the usage of digital resources through self-study. Majority of the faculty members felt that the information available in the digital resources is always adequate. A large majority of the respondents were of the opinion that the digital resources can never replace the printed resources. Majority of the faculty members are having awareness of E-books and E-journals and they are using also.8. RECOMMENDATIONS:With the help of the findings, the following recommendations are made to improve the use of digital services among the users of library of Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith Varanasi.
Digital library awareness program should be organized time to time by Central Library.There are need to improve IT infrastructures for the use of digital resources facilities.The speed of the Internet should be increase.9. REFERENCES:Donald, A.
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