Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) For E-Learning in Tertiary Education in Sri Lanka

A Study of Undergraduates from State Universities in Colombo District

Bibliographic Data

ID22257881
AuthorsThushari Madhubhashini Galagedarage (Open University of Sri Lanka), Kaushallya Indrasena Kaushallya Indrasena, Kaushallya Indrasena (Open University of Sri Lanka)
Year2023
Volume4
Issue2
Pages33-48
Publication date2023-07-30
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Media and Communication Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2722-1423 • E-ISSN: 2722-1423
PublisherUIR Press (PUBLISHER • ID)
DOI10.25299/ijmcr.v4i2.13692
OpenAlexW4390930176
LanguageEN
References cited22

E- learning was introduced to tertiary education during the Covid 19 Pandemic. Therefore, the study aimed to investigate the opportunities and challenges faced by undergraduates in state universities in Colombo District in relation to e-learning. Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was used as the main theoretical framework and the qualitative approach was applied through interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Data were collected from all state universities in Colombo district using purposive sampling. The results showed that the majority of undergraduates have a positive attitude towards e- learning. Because e-learning is timesaving, convenient and cost-saving during the pandemic and socio-economic issues in the country such as fuel issues, power cuts etc. On the other hand, the undergraduates faced some challenges in e- learning such as a lack of ICT tools and equipment, connectivity issues, the cost of data, background noises, a lack of interaction with peers and teachers, health issues such as eye issues, anxiety etc. The results showed that the challenges of e-learning mainly occur due to the issues connected to ICTs. Therefore, the responsible authorities should take proper measures to provide adequate ICT infrastructure and resources for students to have a convenient and flexible e- learning system. In this context, it is also important that the state universities make the arrangements to have flexible learning for undergraduates. Therefore, hybrid learning allows undergraduates to attend traditional face to face sessions while also attending online classes, reducing transport issues, expenses, optimizing ICT infrastructure and resource utilization

Blended Learning · Business · Educational technology · Focus group · Geography · Higher education · Information and Communications Technology · Medical education · Nonprobability sampling · Pedagogy · Political science · Public relations · Sociology · ICT in Developing Communities · Medicine · Mobile Learning in Education · Psychology · Technology Adoption and User Behaviour · Marketing

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Open DOIOpen Access