International Journal of Information Services and Technology ISSN: Vol.1 No.1, 2014, pp. 6-10 © Central Library, KL University, www.kluniversity.in Availability and Impact of NPTEL in Selected Engineering Colleges Around Thiruvallur District : A Case Study M. Saravan and S. Mohammed Esmail 1Research Scholar, , Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. Librarian, RMD Engineering College, , Tamil Nadu, India. 2Associate Professor, Dept. of Library & Information Science, , Tamil Nadu, India. E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Abstract - Due to fast development of information and availability and impact among selected engineering colleges communication technology, student and faculty needs relevant in Thiruvallur district, Chennai. and current information as on time, they quickly adapted into print form to electronic form in current scenario. More II. LITERATURE REVIEW demand of digital information leads to remarkable position of According to Pillai s Deepti, Dr.Kevin Stephen (2013) increase in publication sector and usage of EIS in all discipline The study shows how free access to quality enhanced especially science and engineering. In view of more e-resources & technology enabled web and video content in the demanded, NPTEL is an Indian portal dedicated and provides Engineering & Science subjects has many takers in the form technical e-content to solve this issue of one side increased of students, faculty members & working professionals from e-resource demand and other side deficiency of qualified urban & rural parts of India, as well as from 140 different faculty. This paper studies the impact of NPTEL on student nations. Boumarafi, Behdja,(2010) made an attempt to and faculty in engineering colleges of Thiruvallur district, determine present status of Electronic Resources at the Tamil Nadu. It focuses out the variations in perceptions and University of Sharjah Medical Library: An Investigation of preferences of user using NPTEL. It is found that majority of Students’ Information-Seeking Behavior. The highlighted respondents accessed NPTEL for their teaching and learning the importance of e-resources and usage level. M. Tariq purpose. Most of the respondents opined that NPTEL is very Bandaya, et al.,(2014) Applications of e-Learning in useful for teaching and research purpose. engineering education: A case study explains that results Keywords - Electronics information, NPTEL, Higher Education are discussed in light of relevant research to suggest Colleges, E-content, Video courses. recommendations for improving e-learning implementations in engineering education. I.INTRODUCTION III. NPTEL (National Programme on Technology Indian economy is growing at a fast pace presently. Enhanced Learning) Sustaining this growth requires technically trained professionals in large number. It requires providing The National Programme on Technology Enhanced education and training to population in increasing number. Learning (NPTEL), proposed for the first time in 1999 by The technological advancement can be of great help in this Professor M. S. Ananth, Director, IIT Madras and funded by regard. Studies needs to evaluate Technology Enhanced the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government learning, with particular reference to NPTEL - a portal of India, has developed curriculum based course contents dedicated to technical e-content(video/web) These programs for more than 240 engineering courses in five disciplines at fulfilled the gap between the user and subject expert from the undergraduate level. The programme has been executed various places from major Indian technical institution. One jointly by all seven Indian Institutes of Technology (Bombay, side short of subject expert in engineering and technical area Delhi, Guwahati, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras and Roorkee) and other side user needs are increased toward the digital and the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. More than form of information. 350 faculty members from the above have participated in the programme to develop content. It is coordinated by the This NPTEL video/web course program is helped to IIT Madras. the faculties and student in the field of engineering and technologies. This paper deals with the NPTEL program

6 IJIST Vol.1 No.1 July - December 2014 K. Bharathi and H. R. Sujatha The disciplines covered are Civil Engineering, Computer B. R.M.D. Engineering College Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics The college was established at 2001 with 5 UG courses and Communication Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and 2 PG courses. The present strength of students and and Core science, Management Studies and Language staff about 3860. The Computerized and Automated Air- courses that all engineering students are required to take. Conditioned Central Library of the college has a collection The course contents are available freely on the Internet of nearly 48126 books, 11495 titles , e-resources such (URL: http://nptel.ac.in). The courses have been prepared as e-journal, e-books, NPTEL web and video e-learning in two formats, namely as web based lectures (slides, courses(as mandatory by AICTE/UGC). chapters or modules with animations), or as a sequence of C. R.M.K. College of Engineering &Technology thirty to fifty video recorded lectures of one hour duration each. They are modularized in such a way that a large part The College is located at Puduvoyal, Thiruvallur District, of each course covers basic learning materials for different was founded in 2007. In the year 2008, was recognized by University syllabi throughout the world on that topic. The (AU), Chennai with 5 U.G departments. contents of video lectures are available as video streams on The present strength of the students and faculty about demand through the generous offer of free web hosting by 2130. The College Library Contains 16295 Volumes of YouTube : http://www.youtube.com/iit). The video archive books with 3248 titles. The Library also subscribes to 60 that has been created through this project is the single largest National Journals and 25 Magazines. Library has digital open video archive containing contents in engineering and resource facility including NPTEL video and web courses technical courses at the undergraduate level anywhere in for students and staff. the world. Contributed by more than 200 faculty members D. Vellammal Engineering College from all partner Institutions in this project, it is also a The College is located at Surapet, Redhils Thiruvallur unique exercise in which eight competing Indian academic District, was founded in 1995-96, was recognized by Anna institutions of international repute have worked together University (AU), Chennai with 5 U.G departments. The to deliver a common cause, namely, improve current present strength of the students and faculty about 5000. The engineering education in India and at the same time, provide Library also subscribes National and international Journals. for any student in the world to undertake a systematic Library has digital resource including NPTEL facility for and self-study of engineering concepts. Approximately students and staff. 5,000 one hour video lectures have been recorded under this programme. More than 3,500 hours have been made E. Prathyusha Institute of Technology And Management available already through the above site, with the rest to The college is established at 2001 and located at be uploaded within the next few months. Many different Aranvoyalkuppam, Tiruvallur. Prathyusha Institute of styles and pedagogies have been accommodated using a Technology And Management, Chennai popularly known few simple guidelines for faculty contributors to adopt in as PITAM. PITAM is a self-financed Telugu Minority content creation through the video and the web. The web Institution approved by AICTE, affiliated to Anna University, based contents are already registered with Google Analytics accredited by NBA and a recipient of ISO certification. The and the statistics provided by Google is being used to study college offers 7 UG courses and 7 PG Courses with an annual the effectiveness of this programme. intake of 1068 students. The over all students strength of the college is 3000.Collge have subscribed digital materials IV. PROFILE OF ENGINEERING COLLEGES IN including NPTEL. TIRUVALLUR DISTRICT A. R.M.K. Engineering College F. Indira Institute of Engineering and Technology The college was established at 1995 with 7 UG courses The College is located at Pandut Thiruvallur District, was and 4 PG courses. The present strength of student and founded in 2002, was recognized by Anna University (AU), staff about 4500. The Computerized and Automated Air – Chennai. With 5 U.G departments under Anna University. The Conditioned Central Library in an area of 1125 sq.m, the present strength of the students and faculty about 2000. The Library has 70188 Volume of Books with 20379 Titles. Library also subscribes National and international Journals. The Library subscribes 148 national and 478 International Library has digital resource facility(nptel) for students and staff. Journals. The Library Subscribed E –resources are available.

IJIST Vol.1 No.1 July - December 2014 7 Availability and Impact of NPTEL in Selected Engineering Colleges Around Thiruvallur District Tamil Nadu: A Case Study G. A.M.S. College of Engineering Technology Table I shows that 54.34% male respondents were participated and 45.67% female respondents are major part of this survey. Established in 1990, Aalim Muhammed Salegh Trust aims TABLE II FREQUENCY OF VISIT TO THE LIBRARY to impact technical and medical education to aspiring students. It also focuses on providing educational opportunities to Frequency No. of respondents % students belonging to weaker social and economic sections as Daily 173 57.66 well as to those who hail from backward communities. was Several Times week 71 23.66 recognized by Anna University (AU), Chennai. With 5 U.G Once a week 28 9.33 departments under Anna University. The present strength Once a month 23 7.66 of the students and faculty about 5000. The Library also Occasionally 05 1.66 subscribes National and international Journals. Library has digital resource facility (NPTEL) for students and staff. Table II Highlighted that majority (57.66%) of respondents are visiting to the library and accessing daily. Subsequently V. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY several times a week (23.66%), once a week (9.33%), once 1. To examine the frequency of access NPTEL video a month (7.66%) and very few (1.66%) respondents and web content; opined that they are visiting library occasionally. 2. To Find out the level of access point of NPTEL; TABLE III DISTRIBUTION OF RESPONDENTS ACCESS AND 3. To know the purpose of using NPTEL; AWARENESS Experience of awareness 4. To find out the Road block(problem) for access Position NPTEL; 1-2 3-5 6-10 5. To guide road map for maximum level of usage to Student 128 70 NA end users. Faculty 53 26 23 VI. METHODOLOGY Total 181(60.33%) 96(32.00%) 23(7.66%) The present study was conducted using questionnaire- Table III Shows that respondents have experience of based survey method; The questionnaire was pre-tested accessing NPTEL video and web courses. Majority of on users which included the two groups; the faculty and respondents 181(60.33%) have experience in Nptel access students. A total number of 350 questionnaires (randomly) about 1-2 years. and 3-5 years 96(32.00%), 6-10 years were administered among the users of selected engineering 23(7.66%) respectively. This data clearly shows that majority colleges in Thiruvallur District Under this study. Out of of respondents have awareness of using about 1-2 years which 300 (85.71%) questionnaires were received back because of NPTEL e-content were designed and organize the duly filled in. The sample respondentss chosen for the purpose of teaching, learning and research activities. study consists of 100 (33.33%) faculties, and 200 (66.66%) students. The data collected were tabulated and analyzed TABLE IV DISTRIBUTION OF RESPONDENTS FREQUENCY OF with simple percentage method. ACCESS PER DAY Hour Student Faculty % VII. SCOPE AND LIMITATION 1-2 118 15 39.33 3-4 42 32 14.00 There are nearly 33 engineering colleges in Thiruvallur District Affiliated to Anna University. The present Research 4-5 40 53 13.33 is based on a random sample of users (faculty members and students) from 7 engineering colleges. The present study is Table IV Highlighted that frequency of access NPTEL confined only to the Thiruvallur district engineering college per Day. Majority (39.33%) of Respondents access 1-2 hours students and faculty members. per day, The followed by (14%) respondents were accessed VIII.DATA INTERPRETATION AND ANALYSIS 3-4 hours daily,(13.33%) respondents were accessed 4-5 hours TABLE I DISTRIBUTION TO RESPONDENTS’S GENDER WISE access. This study found that respondents were accessed 1-2 Gender Respondents % hours daily for their learning process at remarkably because Male 163 54.34 of student have cyclic library hour and laboratory period and Female 137 45.67 faculty have leisure hour. Total 300 100

8 IJIST Vol.1 No.1 July - December 2014 K. Bharathi and H. R. Sujatha

Fig. 1 Highlights that most favored access point Fig.3 Distribution of respondents for purpose of access NPTEL.

Majority of them (74.33%) using from college library, Computer It is highlighted that more respondents 158(52.66%) were Lab and college Hostel (10.66%). This followed by the other location accessed for Teaching purpose especially faculty member of access point is Browsing centre 9.33% and Home 5.66%.The data are using for their class room reference. The next level is show that majority of user are accessing from their college Library. It is learning 51(17.00%) is major role for students and faculty. clearly said that library is to take part to provide information to the user. This is followed by update knowledge 31 (10.33%), Research 28(9.33%) and General studies 18(6.00%).

Fig. 2 Frequency of common search technique Fig. 4 Difficulties for access video and web courses. More respondents (59.33%) accessed NPTEL using subject search methods for getting information because of The study shows that respondents answered major problem other parameter of search methods is not very familiar and for access in lack of campus wide network 103 (34.33%) this study prove that subject is known for common search and wi-fi connectivity provided for NPTEL video and web technique for respondents because this e-content designed content. In this study noticed it is about some colleges have for teaching purpose subject wise. Subsequently using title not campus wide connection. Respondents opined that search 89 (29.66%), keyword search 27 (9.00%) and few Difficulties for access followed by Lack of Training (31.00%), respondents 6 (2.00%) opined that access by author search some respondents felt that they need some orientation class method. It clearly showed that subject is vital sources of for how to access this e-content. Limited Subject (17.33%), search method in NPTEL video/web courses. At the same time author search method is using by few respondents only Slow Network speed (16.00%) and infrastructure (1.3%) due to NPTEL e-content author were not familiar and reach to respectively. It clearly shows that respondents need awareness the respondents. and training for NPTEL video and web courses.

TABLE VII DISTRIBUTION OF RESPONDENTS ACCESS DIFFERENCE SUBJECT Subject Respondents % Humanites 23 7.66 CSE/IT 78 26.00 Civil 28 9.33 Mechanical 23 7.66 Fig.5 Level of satisfaction in providing NPTEL EEE/ECE 148 49.33 Majority of respondents opined the fully satisfied in video courses, web courses, infrastructure, computer facility provided, availability subject, and Staff cooperation.

IJIST Vol.1 No.1 July - December 2014 9 Availability and Impact of NPTEL in Selected Engineering Colleges Around Thiruvallur District Tamil Nadu: A Case Study Few respondents opined that Not satisfied in web courses REFERENCES (16.33%) and subject availability (18.33%). It is highlighted that this video and web courses (NPTEL) is to take part [1] Pal, Y.; Iyer, S. “Comparison of English versus Hindi Medium provide to electronic information to the user at maximum Students for Programming Abilities Acquired through Video- Based Instruction”, Technology for Education (T4E), 2012 level of satisfaction. IEEE Fourth International Conference on, On page(s): 26 - 30 XI. FINDING AND SUGGESTION [2] Ravi, J.S.; Jani, H.J. “Segmentation of NPTEL Users: A Study of Gujarat State”, Technology for Education (T4E), • It is found that majority of respondents are regular visitor 2012 IEEE Fourth International Conference on, On of library in selected Engineering colleges in Thiruvallur page(s): 111 - 118 District. [3] Desai, D. “Usage of Online Educational Courses • These studies found that more respondents were having by Undergraduate Engineering Students in experience in access NPTEL with the duration of 1-2 Karnataka”, Technology for Education (T4E), 2013 IEEE Years. Fifth International Conference on, On page(s): 200 – 203 • It is found that more respondents’s browsing point of [4] Boumarafi, Behdja, Electronic Resources at the University NPTEL was from college Library and computer laboratory. of Sharjah Medical Library: An Investigation of Students’ Information-Seeking Behavior. Medical Reference • This study clearly show that majority respondents Services Quarterly; Oct-Dec2010, Vol. 29 Issue 4, p349- are accessing NPTEL from electrical, electronics and 362, 14p, 4 Charts. communication subject and followed by computer science and information technology.

Main Objectives of this study is to identify solution to the above difficulties to increase the access to the maximum level of end users. NPTEL digital content of information services should be strengthened by adding more video and web content in different science and engineering subject available in all engineering college libraries. Information literacy and user education courses with emphasis on retrieval software, tools and techniques of searching, etc., should be provided to all categories of the users. Adequate practical sessions should be included in such courses. High speed internet, more computer terminals, round the clock service of the libraries and computer centers, should be provided by the colleges.

X. CONCLUSION

As libraries are built with ever-larger collections of electronic resources, finding ways to manage them efficiently becomes a major challenge. The number of electronic journals, citation databases, and full-text aggregations held by most libraries has grown rapidly. Managing these electronic resources involves providing the library’s user with convenient ways to find and access them and providing library staff with the tools to keep track of them. Now a day’s NPTEL is the new born of digital library collection, as a librarian and faculty should know all the technical parameter of this video and web courses to provide to the user effectively, this study will definitely focuse the evaluation of usage and road map for access successfully.

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