E-Learning through Cloud Computing ServicesProvided by Academic Libraries for PromotingResearch and Development

Abstract

E-learning is a means of becoming literate, involving new
mechanisms for communication, such as: computer
networks,multimedia,
content portals, search engines, electronic libraries, distance
learning, and web-enabled classrooms. Different web based
applications such as email, real-time conference, cloud computing,
WebCam etc. are being used as important tools in the process of elearning.
Cloud Computing is a completely new Virtual
Information and Communication Technology and it is known as
the third revolution after PC and Internet in IT. To be more
specific, Cloud Computing is the improvement of Distributed
Computing, Parallel Computing, Grid Computing and Distributed
Databases. The basic principle of Cloud Computing is making
tasks distributed in large numbers of distributed computers. By
collecting large quantities of information and resources stored in
personal computers, mobile phones and other equipment, Cloud
Computing is capable of integrating them and putting them on the
public cloud for providing required information to the users.
LIBRARY is not only a Knowledge Ocean, its main aim is to
provide quality and satisfactory information services for all the
users. In this Digital era, to provide timely updated digital
information services and to promote Research and Developments,
the Library should improve itself by adopting new technologies.
Cloud computing is one of the fastest emerging Digital Information
and Communication Technologies, being applied and used by
various Libraries and Companies at present. Cloud Computing is
the use of outsourced Digital Information resources which can be
accessed through networking or Internet. Dissemination of
required and relevant information to the users of the Library can
be provided easily and regularly through the cloud computing
services. Since Cloud computing offers flexibility in usage and
reduces cost, it is very much suitable and accessible for promoting
research and development. This research paper explains about
what are Cloud Computing, its History, benefits, advantages, and
services. How Cloud computing services can be adopted, various
best companies of Cloud computing, kinds of services which can be
provided through Cloud computing also have been discussed in this
paper.