Higher Education E-Learning Challenges in Sri Lanka During COVID-19

This report investigates the challenges and success factors in online learning among higher education students in Sri Lanka during the COVID-19 pandemic. It addresses key questions regarding the challenges students face, the background of e-learning, and factors contributing to its success. The report highlights the increased adoption of e-learning due to the pandemic and the issues students encounter, such as internet connectivity problems and preferences for different web tools like Zoom and WebEx. It emphasizes the significance of e-learning, especially during the pandemic, and its role in continuous education. Key concepts discussed include e-learning platforms, ICT integration, and the challenges associated with technology access and infrastructure. The report also touches on the importance of computer literacy, addressing multicultural communication, and overcoming issues like slow internet connectivity to ensure equitable access to technological and academic information. It concludes by acknowledging the benefits of e-learning in facilitating continuous education during challenging times.

BARRIERS TO AND SUCCESS IN ONLINE LEARNING AMONG HIGHER STUDENTS DURING THE COVID 19
PANDEMIC IN SRI LANKA
Background
E learning is usually based on utilising electronic resources for
formalised teaching. In this teaching can be done in or out of
educational institution premises. Major use of computer systems and
internet are main form of the E learning. Because of covid issue this
Learning method have been brought up at large scale, in Sri Lanka it is
been found that most of the students have complaining about the
internet connectivity which is causing problems in their learning
methods. Many students have preferred the different web tools, as
found students are already being used to Zoom app but other students
prefer to study on WebEx due to its friendliness feature.
Identification of education issue
Covid pandemic hits every sector whether it education or business it
develops many circumstances which the people need to take. As for
education sector lots of student have suffered, due to irregular classes
and they are not being able to come school. During covid Online and
E learning education have gained major attention education institution
have adapted this method to continue the education for students
(Ananga, 2020).
Problem statement
From the article review it is found that almost 50 percent student have
found the E learning system is efficient and only 19.6 percent student
prefers the offline method. As the problem is identified that due to the
E learning most of the student’s internet bill have been increased, thus
in such it is the responsibility of government to provide free of charge
internet connectivity to students or to take alternative approach in
order to reduce the impacts over their budgetary plan as well. It is also
found that most of the students are facing problems in dealing with the
technologies in to get the feedbacks from their faculty members
(Chang and Fang, 2020). Poor infrastructure design of the web
platform, lacking in technical supports are causing problem for
students.
Investigation questions and significance
What are the major challenges does the students are facing
regarding E learning? And suggests some successful factors
that affects the E learning?
How E learning method is satisfying the needs of the
students?
Significance: This report is significant as it helps in
determining the importance of E Learning prior to Pandemic.
As with this many of the Universities and other education
institution have adopted this method to provide better online
education services, so that their learning process can be
evaluated continuously and can overcome the pandemic
causes. This report will guide in developing the new
knowledge as E learning is the new concept it never brought
earlier. Thus by learning this information will help in guiding
for future conducts.
Key concepts
E learning platform: There are many E learning platforms are available which
are adopted by many institute to continue the learning process for their students
during covid pandemic. Google Classroom, Video streaming as WebEx, webinars,
Zoom etc. have been used by the students. It helps in interacting with student and
lectures so that learning can be evaluated and students can ask the queries if they
had regarding the topic. As it is important to provide the instructional material as
CD-ROMS, also to provide the tutorial support which motivates the learner so that
they can efficiently deal with the technical platform (Rahm and et.al 2021). E
learning is providing support at good extent with this student are able to learn
about the technologies which is the current demand of the market.
ICT: Information and communication technology, it has good impacts over the
students when teachers are commencing with the digital tools and platform to
integrate with the curriculums. As educational institute uses ICT for
communicating, developing and storing the relevant information. Despite of small
size software and ICT industry in Sri Lanka it has good reach in the country. ICT
helps the students as well as community to develop understanding about the social
and other economic issues. It is found that in Sri Lanka most of the University
depends on manually laying out of operation, beyond this MIS is demanding for
using the ICT to take benefit from it as to promote the TEL “technology enhanced
learning”.
Challenges associated with E learning
Along with the various benefit that the E learning platform offers there are many
challenges which the students are facing. Due to the lack of knowledge in
technology is creating problem, as students are not being able to ask for the
feedbacks from their instructors, and also facing the problem as their electricity
bills are increasing. Because of this there is lacking classroom experience as most
of the learners feels isolated, thus it impacts their learning process. Because of this
lack of engagement have been found as most of the students are not able to
communicate with their teachers to ask their queries thus it lead to misconception
and it affects their learning process.
Themes from the literature review
Awareness of online learning during Covid 19
From this literature review it has been identified that during Covid E learning is the
most adaptable things which is used for the educational or learning purpose. As
online learning is becoming more popular because people are usually dealing with
the smart devices which is rising the internet facilities (Abbasi and et.al 2020). In Sri
Lanka many universities have adapted this platform top continue the learning
process of their students during covid time. For this it is also important to give the
technical knowledge to students as well as to the lecturers which helps in
smoothening the learning process. It is found that students are expecting for the
rapid feedbacks over the assignments and also better quality of content delivered
from the instructors.
Potential challenges and benefits associated with E
learning
Computer literacy is the major precondition for the students in order to get benefited
from technology based learning. It is required for every learner to undergo some
programme that concentrates on the professional development for using technology.
As the audience are concerning about the multicultural communication, as in some
countries where the English is not first language, thus people look for the content on
internet to be in their native language. Most encountered issues are raised by E
learning as internet connectivity as slow network is causing problem in accessing
the web platform. Therefore, it is required to implement the self-sustaining network
training which will enable the developing countries to maintain the pace with the
developed countries and to provide the technological and other academic
information. Although there are many benefit which the students have acquired
because of E learning as it helps in the easy delivery and they can continue their
education even in pandemic time.
REFERENCES
Books and journals
Abbasi, M.S. and et.al 2020. E-Learning perception and satisfaction
among health sciences students amid the COVID-19
pandemic. Work. 67(3). pp.549-556.
Ananga, P., 2020. Pedagogical Considerations of E-Learning in Education
for Development in the Face of COVID-19. International Journal of
Technology in Education and Science. 4(4). pp.310-321.
Chang, C.L. and Fang, M., 2020, June. E-Learning and online instructions
of higher education during the 2019 novel coronavirus diseases (COVID-
19) epidemic. In Journal of Physics: Conference Series (Vol. 1574, No. 1,
p. 012166). IOP Publishing.
Elumalai, K.V. and et.al 2021. Factors affecting the quality of e-learning
during the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of higher education
students. COVID-19 and Education: Learning and Teaching in a
Pandemic-Constrained Environment. 189.
Garad, A., Al-Ansi, A.M. and Qamari, I.N., 2021. The role of e-learning
infrastructure and cognitive competence in distance learning effectiveness
during the covid-19 pandemic. Jurnal Cakrawala Pendidikan. 40(1).
pp.81-91.