Section Name Description
Facilities Page Computer Facilities

Computer Facilities

Finding Information & Using the Learning Centre URL Library Catalogue

By far the best way to find out what books, electronic books, dvds, etc. we hold, click the link to the Library Catalogue.  As we work in partnership with West Lothian Council Libraries, when you search the catalogue, you will also find books held in the libraries throughout West Lothian, including the High Schools. You can request books from any of these libraries.  For guidance on how best to use the Library Catalogue, reserve and renew your books, click the following link for: Guidance  This information is provided by West Lothian Council.    Please note as a student, your username is your student number  (8 DIGIT NUMBER).   Your PIN number is the first 4 digits of your date of birth.  E.g. If you were born 4th May your pin number will be 0405.

 

Page Finding Information

finding information

Page Electronic Resources including Electronic Books

Electronic Resources

Page What can I borrow from the Learning Centre?

borrowing entitlement

Page How to Join and Borrow Books From the Learning Centre

library card

Electronic Books URL Ebook Central

This is our biggest collection of electronic books and covers a wide range of subjects  . It offers key word and  advanced search facilities.

URL VLeBooks

This is currently our smallest collection of ebooks.  Click on the OpenAthens tab and then select or type in West Lothian College in the Institution tab. If you are already logged into your College Microsoft 365 account the list of books will then open. If you are not, you will be asked to sign in. Use your Microsoft 365 log in i.e., student number@west-lothian.ac.uk and the password you created.


URL Ebsco Electronic Book collection

Only a few books available from this company.  All these books are also available via the library catalogue.

Online Resources URL A - N The Artists Information Company

Alternative insights into the visual arts with fast paced news, comment, debate....

URL Anatomy TV

Anatomy TV is an interactive educational resource on human anatomy. It provides interactive 3D models as well as text, slides and video clips.

Anatomy TV can be used to:

  • find information in an interesting and dynamic way
  • view interactive images and videos
  • find images for use in coursework and presentations   
  • test your knowledge by taking interactive quizzes.

URL Anatomy TV - Resistance Training

 Interactive and video guides to support learning anatomy for resistance training

URL Art and Architecture Image Bank

The Courtauld Institute of Art provides access to a searchable database of over 40,000 images from the Courtauld, The Conway Library, and independent photographers.

URL British Library Business and Management

The Business and Management Portal delivers high quality digital reports and other publications from the British Library’s collections to business and management researchers.  You will need to register to be able to access this resource.

URL British Library Social Welfare Policy

The Social Welfare Portal provides a single point of access to our vast print and digital collections of research and information on policy development, implementation and evaluation.


URL British Standard Institute

This gives you access to a small collection of British Standards the College lecturers have chosen.  Use your Office 365 username and password to access.  As part our licence you are able to print and use these standards for your College work, they cannot be used for other purposes.

URL British Library Sounds

Listen to a selection from the British Library’s extensive collections of unique sound recordings, which come from all over the world and cover the entire range of recorded sound: music, drama and literature, oral history, wildlife and environmental sounds

URL Clickview

Clickview gives access to hundreds of educational  videos and TV programmes. Your tutor may direct you to specific content or you can browse the content on your own.  Sign in using your college Office 365 email address and password. You will find the sign in button at the top right hand side of the screen.

Alternatively google search clickview uk or use the following link: www.clickview.co.uk. to take you directly to the Clickview site and use the same usernames and passwords above.

URL Cochrane Library

A series of healthcare databases..

URL Complete Issues

This resource covers a wide range of topics such as Climate Change, Mental Health, Drugs, Alcohol and many other social issues in the form of Articles, Statistics and Related Web Links.

Username:   westlothian

Password:   westlothian

URL Curriculum Press
Good information on Psychology and sociology 

Username and password required. Available from Learning Centre staff.
URL Getty Open Culture

J. Paul Getty Museum's Open Content Program makes freely available over 109,000+ digital images from the J. Paul Getty Museum and Getty Research Institute.

URL Digital Commons Network

The Digital Commons Network brings together free, full-text scholarly articles from hundreds of universities and colleges worldwide. Curated by university librarians and their supporting institutions, 

URL Library Hub Discover

Library Hub Discover brings together the catalogue of over 80 major UK research libraries: national, academic and specialist.

URL Digimap

Digimap offers access to a range of datasets for the purposes of education and research. Create or interrogate a map online by selecting an appropriate base map, adding annotations and customising the content, use measurement and query tools to learn more about any study area.

You will need to register before use.

https://digimap.edina.ac.uk/help/about/register/

URL Directory of Open Access Journals

DOAJ is a community-curated online directory that indexes and provides access to high quality, open access, peer-reviewed journals. DOAJ is independent. All funding is via donations, 40% of which comes from sponsors and 60% from members and publisher members. All DOAJ services are free of charge including being indexed in DOAJ. All data is freely available.

URL Directory of Open Access Books

Directory of Open Access Books is a joint service of OAPEN, OpenEdition, CNRS and Aix-Marseille Université

URL GoCitizen

Practice online for the British Citizen test.  Sign up for free.

URL Google Arts and Culture

Discover artworks, collections and stories from all around the world in a new way. Explore cultural treasures in extraordinary detail and easily share with your friends.

URL Google Scholar

As the name suggests, this is a more scholarly Google .  It will provide access to lots of online journal articles etc which may support your studies.   If you have problems accessing the full articles, please contact the College Learning Centre staff who may able to help obtain this for you.

URL Guggenheim Art

The Guggenheim offers art catalogues, essays on art history and more all freely available online

Folder HABIA Health & Safety Beauty and Nails

An up-to-date HABIA Health and Safety Resource for Beauty and Nails.  A paper copy is available on the shelves of the Learning Centre.  

Folder HABIA Health & Safety Hairdressing and Barbering

An up-to-date HABIA Health and Safety Resource for Hairdressing and Barbering.  A paper copy is available on the shelves of the Learning Centre.  

URL ISSUES ONLINE

This is an excellent resource covering contemporary social issues such as poverty, equality, homelessness etc.

Username and password are available from the Learning Centre staff   Email: LeaningCentre@west-lothian.ac.uk  Or it may also be listed in your course area in Moodle.


URL Jisc Journal Archive

Enables you to cross search over 600 journals in the sciences, social sciences, humanities, medicine, law and engineering. Examples of some journals are:

British Journal of Social Work

British Journal of Criminology

Journal of Psycholoyg

URL JSTOR

online social science database

You will be able to access this resource using your College Office 365 username and password.  Use the login button at the top right hand side of the screen, then the  "use microsoft" option.

For help to make the best use of this resource use the following guide  Welcome! - How to Use JSTOR - LibGuides at JSTOR

Alternatively use the generic login details below:

username  westlothian

password  poloruva

URL JSTOR Open Access Journals

Growing collection of Open Access journals covering topical areas

URL Kinderly Learn

An online learning platform for Early Years Practitioners comprising of short webinars and courses that you can work through at your own pace e.g How Children Learn, Challenging Behaviour, Development Milestones etc. Simply use the search bar at the top of the Kinderly homepage to find topics that interest you. 

User Name and Password is required. Please contact the LearningCentre@west-lothian.ac.uk or LHartley@west-lothian.ac.uk to get your account set up.



URL Kortext: Open Access and Open Educational Resources

Kortext platform with access to approx. 10,000 curated Open Access (OA) and Open Educational Resources (OER) for the Further Education and Skills (FES) sector. 

URL Knowledge Network

The knowledge network is available to students who go on placement within the NHS and selected teaching staff. Registration details are available from the above link. If you need any assistance accessing and using this resource please speak to the Learning Centre staff.

URL Napier - Edinburgh Napier University Library Search

Provides you with access to the library resources of Edinburgh Napier.  You can use this as a tool when searching for information.  The College Learning Centre staff can help obtaining any resource you may find.

Page Open Education Resources

Open educational resources include full courses, course materials, modules, textbooks, ebooks audiobooks, streaming videos and films that are all available free to everyone.

URL OAPEN

The OAPEN Library contains freely accessible academic books, mainly in the area of humanities and social sciences. OAPEN works with publishers to build a quality controlled collection of open access books, and provides services for publishers, libraries and research funders in the areas of deposit, quality assurance, dissemination, and digital preservation.

URL Oxford Open Journals

The Oxford Open series is a new flagship open access (OA) journal series from Oxford University Press (OUP). Journals in this series will further OUP’s mission to support excellence in research, scholarship, and education. This will be achieved by providing additional high quality, broad scope, fully OA venues for researchers to disseminate their work.

URL Pub Med.

PubMed is a free resource supporting the search and retrieval of biomedical and life sciences literature with the aim of improving health–both globally and personally.

URL SSERC

SSERC offers a broad portfolio of services, principally in support of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) areas of the curriculum.

Username   WLC20189

password  DECHmont91



URL VOGUE

A searchable archive of American Vogue, from the first issue in 1892 to the current month, reproduced in high-resolution colour page images.

URL VADS

VADS: free art and design images for education

vads.ac.uk
The VADS image collection provides over 100000 art and design images free for use in education, drawn from university and college art collections, museums..
URL West Lothian Council Library - Digital library

e-Books, e-Talking books, e-Magazines and digital resources accessible 24/7.   All free of charge using your public library membership card.  Definitely worth a look.

Study Skills File Essay Writing Skills

A brief introduction to essay writing skills

File Report Writing: a Brief Guide

Writing a report can seem daunting. We have broken the process down into manageable chunks that may help you understand it better.

File Report Writing Checklist

Checklist

File Example of a Scientific or Practical Report

Report

File Example of a Business or Social Science Report

Report

File Presentation Skills

During your course you will probably be asked to give a short presentation to your class or colleagues.  Many people find it very difficult to do this especially the first time!  Don’t despair… the following notes are aimed at not just helping you to put together a good presentation but also to improve your presentation techniques.

File Note Taking Tips

Everyone is different and will make notes in different ways, that’s why it is important to make your own notes in your own words. The three main types of notes you take will be from handouts , during class and when doing research. Click here for further information to help you improve your note taking skills.                                                                                                    

File Note Taking Template

Note Taking Template

File Exams

For most students exams are extremely stressful. In order to reduce the stress it is important to develop good revision techniques. Read on for further information.            

File Recommended Reading and Online Resources

A list of books and ebooks to help give you a better understanding of Study Skills. Also includes a list of web sites to give further tips and information.

URL 10 of the Best Study Skills Apps

Recommended by the London School of Economics a list of useful apps that may help your studies. They include Study Planners , help with referencing and a  flash card app for revision. (most are available on iPhone and Android).

URL Digital skills

A collection of short bitesize course produced by the Government's National Career Service.  They are all free to access and cover options from beginner to advanced level.  Well worth a look at.

Page Questionnaire Templates

where to find ideas for questionnaire templates

File Create a Questionnaire - Checklist

Questionnaire Checklist

File Questionnaire Design Video links

Links to useful video presentations on Questionnaire Design.

File Using Google Search

Google Search

File Using Google Advanced Search

Advanced Search

File Using Google Scholar

Scholar

File Tips for Evaluating Information

Evaluating information

File Study Skills Notebook from the Open University
URL Study Skills Handbook Electronic Book

The Study Skills Handbook Cover Image

File Reading Skills

Reading effectively is one of the most important skills for students and will help you perform better. Follow our techniques and tips to help you get the most out reading books, articles, reports etc.

File Learning Styles

Learning styles are the different ways people learn. Understanding and identifying your own learning style can help you learn, problem solve and make decisions in work. Read on to find out more about each style and learn how to identify your own learning style.

File Time Management

Managing your time for college work  is about setting and following a schedule of study. This will help you organise and prioritise your studies around the competing activities of work, family etc.

ClickView Video Time Flies: Time Management Tips
File Listening Skills

Next to reading, listening is one of the most important skills you can develop to help you do better in college. In order to improve your listening skills in class it is important to concentrate on what is being said at all times - try not to day dream! Follow our techniques and tips to become a better listener!

URL Fake News?

To help in the fight against fake news, the BBC has compiled a collection of activities and resources to help students be more discerning when looking at the news.

ClickView Video Interview and Questionnaires
Harvard Referencing File Harvard Referencing Handout

Harvard

File Harvard Referencing Examples

Examples

File Harvard Referencing Template

Template

File Harvard Referencing Powerpoint

A short powerpoint to support a workshop on harvard referencing.

File Using Microsoft Word for Harvard Referencing

A brief explanation on how you can use microsoft word  to create to reference list.

URL How to use Microsoft Word Reference Tab Short Video

A really good short video on the basics of using Microsoft word reference tap to do your Harvard referencing.

File Links to Good Sites for Referencing Information

Provides a selection of useful tools and websites to help your understanding and use  the Harvard Referencing System.   

URL Harvard Referencing using Microsoft Help

Microsoft Help offer great guidance on how to use the microsoft tab to create your citations (in text reference) and reference list at the end of your essays.

File Harvard Referencing Powerpoint

A short powerpoint, generally presented by Learning Centre Staff, explaining the basics of the Harvard Referencing System.

File Harvard Referencing Sample Assignment

This provides an example of how an essay that includes Harvard References should look.   As per the Harvard system the list of references are in alphabetical order and include a  reference to Microsoft and West Lothian College.  Both of these references  are  real references and worth following to provide you with a good source of further information.

URL All My Own Words - How to Avoid Plagiarism

In this interactive film from the Open University, you'll watch a fellow student grapple with a tough deadline in the midst of her busy life. Can you help her make the right decisions?

URL Quiz

testing Kahoot

URL Cite Me

some free access to this information.

Social Information File File Aids and HIV

Aids

 

File Alcoholism and Drug Abuse

Alcohol

File Alzheimers and Dementia Services

Alzheimers

File Arthritis

Arthritis

File Autism Spectrum

Autism

File Babies, Young Children and Families

Babies

File Bereavement Support, Cot Death and Counselling

Bereavement

File Big Picture

Big Picture

File Cancer

Cancer

File Carers

Carers

File Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy

File Child Protection
File Counselling Services
File Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic Fibrosis

File Depression

Depression

File Diabetes

Diabetes

File Disability

Disability

File Discrimination
File Down's Syndrome

Down's

File Dyslexia

Dyslexia

File Eating Disorders

Eating disorders

File Elderly Support

Elderly

File Epilepsy

Epilepsy

File Health and Counselling

health and counselling

File Health Conditions

Health

File Hearing Impairment

Hearing

File Heart Care and Stroke

Heart Care

File Homelessness - Housing Support

Homelessness

File ME/CFS/PVFS

ME

File Men's Support Groups

Men

File Mental Health
File Multiple Sclerosis

MS

File Safety

Safety

File Sexual Health

Sexual Health

File Smoking

smoking

File Spina Bifida

Spina Bifida

File Vision Impairment

Vision

File Voluntary Organisations

Voluntary Organisations

File Women's Support Groups

Womens Support Groups

File Youth Support Groups

Youth Support Groups

Digital Literacy File Student Login Details

How to Log in to Microsoft 365, College Wifi and Moodle for the first time.

URL Using Microsoft Office 365 Courses for Students
URL Using Microsoft Office for Students - You Tube

You Tube video help to use Office 365

URL Using Microsoft Teams Tutorial in under 10 minutes

What is Microsoft teams? Shows you the basics on how to use it.

File Using Teams: A short video

Created by Diane Mitchell from the College Workforce Development Team, an excellent resource covering the basics of using Teams in a brief and easy to use manner.

URL Microsoft Teams for Students

Free for students

Get started watching the video to see how you can use Teams for group work.

  • Group work - edit documents real-time in 1 click
  • Chat securely with anyone at college - just ask for their name not phone number
  • Get job ready skills as you use as Microsoft Teams integrates the entire Office suite into a single hub.

URL Introduction to One Drive

Introduction to OneDrive

OneDrive provides you one place to store, share, and sync your work or school files. It is the Microsoft cloud service that connects you to all your files and gives you the ability to access them from anywhere and on any device.


URL Introduction to Powerpoint

PowerPoint is a presentation application that creates a slide show of important information, charts, and images to display during a presentation. Recent advances in PowerPoint include subtitling on slides, Presenter coach, and other enhanced interactive features.

URL Connecting Scotland

Useful videos from Connecting Scotland covers:

How to choose a device and internet

How to use your device

How to stay safe online

How to do things

Computer terms and jargon.

URL Digital Literacy: Ethical Computing

Short videos covering various aspects of ethical computing:

Protecting Your Online Data

How Your Online Data Is Used

Turning Data into Knowledge

Importance Of Your Online Data


URL BT Skills for Tomorrow

Free courses to help you develop your confidence and develop your digital skills. A mixture of short videos, games and courses covering many aspects of using digital devices safely and effectively. Covers basics for beginners and digital wellbeing  Broken down into  two sections, Home Life and Work Life, so also includes sections on getting a job and launching a business.

URL Technology Guides from Digital Unite

Our award-winning range of 400+ how-to guides covers a whole host of digital topics. Written by subject matter experts and updated daily, the guides are perfect for supporting others with digital skills or improving your own knowledge.

URL Young Scot - Digi Know

Whether you use websites and social media or chat to your pals online and do a bit of shopping... Find out why it's important to keep yourself and your data safe with 'Digi Know?'

URL Internet Matters

Supporting families online

Get expert support and practical tips to help children benefit from connected technology and the internet safely and smartly.

URL SQA Digital Skills

A range of learning guides. You can work through the guides at your own pace using the 'Play' and 'Pause' buttons.

You may find it helpful to print out the documents below which give step-by-step instructions to getting online using a PC or tablet. 


URL AbilityNet

Free Resources

Get the most from your computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone


Student Information A-Z URL Student Information A-Z

New to the College? Feeling Confused? Need Information?  Use this guide to help answer those questions e.g Where do I find the College holiday dates? Can I Borrow a Laptop from the College? How Do I report Absence? etc


Subject Resources (A-C) File Accounting

A list of Books, EBooks, Videos and Online Resources to support this topic

File Addiction

A list of Books, Ebooks, Videos and Websites to support this topic

File Anatomy and Physiology

A list of Books, Ebooks, Videos and Websites to support this topic.

File Aromatherapy

A list of Books, Ebooks, Videos and Websites to support this topic.

File Beauty Therapy

A list of Books, EBooks and Websites to support this topic.

File Built Environment

A List of Books, EBooks and online resources to support this topic.

File Business Administration

Content will be available in the near future.

File Challenging Behaviour

A list of Book, Ebooks and websites to support this topic.

File Chemistry

A list of Book, Ebooks and websites to support this topic.

File Child Development

A list of relevant Books, EBooks, Videos and websites to support this topic

File Child Observation

A list of Books, Ebooks, Videos and Websites to support this topic

File Child Protection

A list of Books, Ebooks and online resources to support this topic.

File Civil Engineering

A list of Books, EBooks and online resources to support this topic

File Coaching (Sports)

A list of Books, Ebooks and online resources to support this topic.

File Construction

A list of Books, Ebooks and web based resources to support this topic

File Contemporary Arts

A list of Books, EBooks and online resources to support this topic

File Cookery (Professional)

A list of Books, E-Books and online resources to support this topic.

File Counselling

A list of Books, Ebooks and online resources to support this topic.

File Criminology

A list of Books, E-books and online resources to support this topic.

Subject Resources (D-F) File Discrimination

A list of Books, Ebooks and Websites to support this subject.  Have a look at 'Equality' in our Subject Hub for further information.

File Engineering Mathematics

A list of Books, Ebooks and Websites to support this subject.

File Family

A list of Books, Ebooks and Websites to support this subject.

Subject Resources (G-L) File Hair Removal

A list of Books, EBooks and online resources to support this topic.

File Human Resource Management

A list of books, ebooks and electronic resources to support this topic

File Human Biology

A list of books, ebooks and electronic resources to support this topic

File International Business

A list of Books, EBoooks, Videos and electronic resources to support this subject

File Leadership (Early Years)

A list of Books, EBooks, Websites and Videos to support this topic.

File Leadership (Management)

A List of Books, EBooks, Videos and Web Links to support this topic

Subject Resources (M-P) File Make-up

A list of Books, Websites and Videos to Support this unit

File Mathematics and Numeracy

A list of Books, E-Books, Websites and Videos to support this topic.

File Mechanical Engineering

Content will be available in the near future.

File Medical Conditions

A List of Books,EBooks and Online Resources to support this topic

File Mental Health

A list of Books, E-books, Videos and Websites to support this topic.

File Nails

A list of Book, Websites and Online resources to support this subject.

File Nursing

A list of Books, E-books, Videos and Websites to support this topic.

File Nutrition

A list of Books, E-books, Videos and Websites to support this topic.

File Outdoor Play

A list of Books, E-books and Electronic resources to support this topic

File Philosophy

A list of Book, EBooks, Weblinks and online resources to support this topic.

File Play

A List of Book, EBooks, Websites and Online Resources to support this topic.

File Plumbing

A list of Books, EBooks and Electronic Resources to support this topic.

File Psychology

A list of Books, E-books, and Electronic Resources to help support this topic.

Subject Resources (Q-Z) File Rights of the Child

A List of Books, EBooks and Online resources to support this topic

File Sociology

A list of books, e books and other resources to support your course work

File Sport & Fitness

A list of Books, E-books and Online Resources to support this topic.

File Study Skills

A list of Books, EBooks and Electronic resources to support this topic.

File Theorists (Child Development)

A list of Books, E-books and Online Resources to support this topic.

AI (Artificial Intelligence) for Students Folder What is AI, it's limitations and How best do we use it

Provides an introduction to AI  (Artificial Intelligence), how AI systems are created and their benefits and limitations for users

This information was provided to the College by Jisc, Oct 2024.

Folder Using AI Responsibly

This section considers how we as end users of AI tools and systems can act responsibly and use AI to support our work mindfully.

Folder Using AI to Support your Education

This set of resources provides a series of examples of practical uses of AI tools in education by learners. 

A practical example: A practical scenario and explanation of how a learner can work with an AI tool. All examples are focused on using AI as a supporting tool to enhance learning, not to replace the learner’s work.

Suggested tools: We’ve compiled a list of tools and services that can achieve the example provided. We’ve focused on those that are generally most accessible to learners, but suitability can vary depending on individual needs and your institution's policies. We recommend checking our AI Tools directory blog to learn more about the tools mentioned if you are unfamiliar with them.

Examples provided include:

Preparing for interviews

Translating languages

Reading & Writing: Summarising

Reading & Writing: Text to audio