Self-Access Center

Atılım University established the Self-Access Center in order to give the university students the opportunity to work outside of the teaching environment. In this way they can learn how to study independently and so become more effective learners. By gaining control over the learning process the students will improve their studies both in the Preparatory School and in their Departments. With these aims, the Self-Access Center provides expert help should the students require assistance in mastering either the technology or study materials while not interfering with those who are happier to work alone.

The Self–Access Center has facilities such as Learning Centers and Computer-Assisted Language Laboratories. The Learning Center provides materials for students in order to assist them in learning autonomously, so they can use dictionaries, grammar and reference books, readers and supplementary materials which they can borrow for personal photocopying. In order to enhance students’ classroom learning in a multimedia environment, CALL provides computerized learning materials, programmes to practice the major skills and lists of web addresses. Students can practice language with web-based materials and the collection of ELT and training literature, tapes, videos and software. Students are allowed to use the internet, the printer and the scanner for their studies. They can also visit the center during the breaks to check their e-mails and surf the web.

Use of the Center has steadily increased and it is now regarded as an essential part of students’ extracurricular activities and their studies. Having in mind the idea that using the Center in order to learn independently motivates the students, our intention is to make more improvements in the Center for them and to incorporate familiarization sessions into the Preparatory School programme in order to make sure that the students are able to make optimum use of this resource throughout their university careers.