Browsing by Author "Hettiarachchi, W.G."

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Accessing a Moodle based Learning Management System and Exam Performance by Medical Students: A Retrospective Analysis.
(Faculty of Computing and Technology, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2017) Hettiarachchi, W.G.; Hettige, S.; Ediriweera, E.P.D.S.; Chandrathilake, M.N.; de Silva, N.R.
Considering the high computer literacy of students and the need for being students centred, the MBBS programme of University of Kelaniya introduced a Moodle-based learning management system (LMS) as a supplementary component to its blended delivery approach of the curriculum. Accordingly, LMS is a parallel component to the curriculum delivered face-to-face. Each module of learning in the curriculum is represented in the LMS by giving lecture notes, PowerPoint presentations, web links and assignments. The broad aim of this study is to determine the relationship between the extent of interactively of learners with LMS and their exam performance. First-year medical students (172 from 2016 intake and 166 from 2017 intake) at University of Kelaniya were considered for the analysis. Student’s access to LMS during the first two modules of the MBBS curriculum and the results of the first continuous assessment were compared. Total LMS access for each student during the two modules were calculated by counting the number of views in the course log. The particular course logs of LMS were downloaded and filtered out the details pertaining to students in the above two modules in both batches. Total access during the two modules were calculated for individual student and used for the analysis. Continuous assessment results ranged from grades A to F and we assigned sequential numerical marks in the descending order from 6 to 1 to denote grade A to F. Total LMS access with respect to assessment grades were visualized using boxplots and median with interquartile ranges were calculated. Association between LMS access and assessment grades were investigated. Statistical analysis was done in R. Median (interquartile range) of LMS access of the students were 43.0 (12.25 – 72.0) times. The number of results grades for the students as follows; A – 3, B – 41, C – 117, D – 122, E – 51 and F – 4 and the respective number of median (interquartile range) access to LMS for the above grades were 110.0 (102.0 – 113.0), 51.0 (21.0 – 76.0), 49.0 (16.0 – 76.0), 39.0 (11.0 – 64.75), 29.0 (6.0 – 59.5) and 6.5 (3.0 – 16.0). There was significant correlation between LMS access and results grades (rho = 0.2, P < 0.01). Students with grade A showed significantly higher LMS access compared to the rest of groups. There was no difference in LMS access between students with grades B and C, C and D, D and E, D and F or E and F. However, grade B showed significantly higher LMS access compared to grades D, E and F; and grade C showed significantly higher LMS access compared to grades E and F. The findings demonstrate that students’ interaction with LMS were significantly associated with the performance in the examination. The learning management system has a positive impact on student performance.
Assessment of the capacity to work with data: a cross-sectional study done in first year medical students at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya
(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2017) Hettiarachchi, W.G.; Hettige, S.; Ediriweera, D.S.
INTRODUCTION & OBJECTIVES: Spreadsheets and programming languages (PL) facilitate data storage, organization, retrieval and analysis. Experience in the above builds critical thinking capabilities that are supportive to discerning in students. METHODS: A Moodle based self-administered questionnaire was given to collect data from new entrants in 2017. RESULTS: Among 155 students, 57% were females. 85% of students [54 (82%) in males vs 77 (87 %) in females, p=0.57] had prior experience in Excel. 20% of students [11 (18%) in males vs 18 (23 %) in females, p=0.27] indicated that they were good in using Excel. 27% students [16 (24%) in males vs 26 (29%) in females, p=0.61] had prior experience in PL. 6% of students [2 (5%) in males vs 4 (8%) females, p=0.61] indicated that they were good in using PL. There were no significant associations between the grade five scholarship results and Z score with Excel use (p=0.98 and p=0.16 respectively) as well as with PL use (p=0.19 and p=0.45 respectively). Spreadsheet usage in students from the Western province was not differerent from the rest of the provinces (83% vs 89% respectively, p=0.46), or PL usage in students from the Western province from the rest (32% vs 22%, p=0.25). CONCLUSION: Majority of students have used spreadsheets but were not competent. One fourth have used PL and only 6% were competent. There were no gender differences in the usage of spreadsheets and PL.
Design and development of a web based histopathology reporting system
(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2017) Ediriweera, D.S.; Hettiarachchi, W.G.; Mahendra, B.A.G.G.; Liyanage, S.K.; Ratnayake, R.M.U.S.; Hewavisenthi, S.J.de.S.
INTRODUCTION & OBJECTIVES: The current histopathology reporting system in the unit has only basic features including report generation and limited data retrieval. Thus a newer system was required to address the issues faced in histopathology reporting, chiefly a prolonged turnaround time caused by lack of clinical data, inability to track delays in sample processing, delays in data entry and report dispatch. More efficient data retrieval for research purposes and monitoring of postgraduate training were also considered important. The aim of the study was to design and develop a generic histopathology reporting system that facilitates the generation of timely reports and helps in research and postgraduate training. METHODS: A software framework was designed and developed into a functional web based histopathology reporting system (WBHPRS) which can be easily customizable to different settings. This was designed using MySQL and PHP. Data entry was facilitated by using drop down menus and prompts. Standard templates for reports with the option to edit were uploaded enabling quick report generation. RESULTS: A WBHPRS has the ability to capture data throughout the process of generating a report, thus enabling the tracking of the specimen from surgery to dispatch of the report. The system also provides facilities for more efficient data retrieval due to a modified coding system. It facilitates postgraduate supervision enabling the trainer to determine the time taken, quality and quantity of work done by the trainees. CONCLUSION: This system has vastly enhanced features that will improve the timeliness of reporting and provide additional features useful in research and postgraduate training.
Experience in teaching ICT for medical students through Moodle
(Faculty of Computing and Technology, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Hettige, S.; Hettiarachchi, W.G.; Ediriweera, D.S.
Moodle is the most widely used free open-source-learning platform that serves educators and learners across the globe to create online courses. A resource is an item that a teacher can use to support learning, such as a file or link. An activity is a general term for a group of features in a Moodle course that makes the students to interact with the teacher or with other students. Student interactions with the Moodle resources and activities can be assessed using Moodle logs. Moodle course contents can be mainly classified as resources and activities. Resources includes files (links to files; eg. PowerPoint, PDF), pages (HTML pages with an editor created by the teacher), uniform resource locators (a web link for the students to reach on their web browser) and books. Activities includes quizzes, assignments, questionnaires, forums and surveys. Quiz allows teachers to design and set quiz tests. Assignment enables teachers to grade and give comments on uploaded files as students’ assignments. The Questionnaire enables teachers to collect feedbacks. Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya started using Moodle based virtual learning as an intranet service in 2008 and at present, the Faculty uses Moodle based Computer Assisted Learning (CAL) system of University of Kelaniya to deliver teaching and learning materials to students. Over the period of 8 years ICT Centre of Faculty of Medicine delivered the ICT course through Moodle platform and the ICT course consist of introduction to computers, internet and email, information literacy, word processing, electronic presentation, spreadsheet, image and video editing and R-programing language. ICT course is delivered during first 3 terms of the 1st year in the medical curriculum and this study was done to assess the 1st year medical students’ Moodle usage pattern. We analyzed the ICT course log of medical students in the first two terms which was held from 01/02/2016 to 30/06/2016. Hundred and seventy medical students were in the 1st year and the practical classes were conducted on group basis (i.e. approximately 60 students per a class) and each practical class had 3 hour sessions. All together 45 classes were conducted using Moodle during the 1st and 2nd semesters which contained 48 assignments and the breakdown as follows; 15 Moodle resources containing 12 files, 2 Pages and 1 URL and 33 Moodle activities containing 7 Quizzes, 10 Assignments and 16 Questionnaires. Moodle course log related to ICT module was downloaded. We considered the number of “views” and “posts” for the analysis. View is an event where the user has visited the course, activity or resource, whereas post is an event where an entry is made to Moodle database such as quiz attempt, file submissions or questionnaire submission. We calculated the average number of views and posts for each resource and activity by dividing relevant total log entries with number of available resources and activities in the ICT course. Total 23,395 records were found for the period. Number of records relevant to students’ entries were 21,509 (92%) and the rest were administrator 339 (2% and teacher 1547 (7%) logins. 21,258 (99%) hits were recorded through the faculty network and the rest were from the other fixed and mobile data networks during the study period. The average number of “views” per resource during the course as follows; 107 for page, 103 for file, 104 for URL and the average number of “views” per activity as follows: 314 for quiz, 248 for assignment and 109 for questionnaire. The average number of “post” per activity during the course as follows; 92 for quiz, 59 for assignment, 55 for questionnaire. Overall average views per activity and resource were 194, 104 respectively. Comparison of the average number of views for term 1 vs term 2 as follows; 368 vs 241 for quizzes, 155 vs 72 for questionnaire, 110 vs 100 for files and the average number of posts were 112 vs 66 for quizzes and 77 vs 38 for questionnaire. Limitations of the study as follows; calculation of average number of views could be overestimated as there could be multiple visits by the same student, also ICT module is not a compulsory course and number of student’s participation in the practical were varied during the study period. According to the results, Quiz and Assignment have the highest average number of views and posts and other resources such as files, page and URLs have less number of views. Therefore, Moodle activities (quiz and assignments) should be encouraged instead using Recourses (reference materials).
Implementation of an Online Histopathology Reporting System in the Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya
(19th Conference on Postgraduate Research, International Postgraduate Research Conference 2018, Faculty of Graduate Studies,University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2018) Hettiarachchi, W.G.; Ediriweera, E.P.D.S.; Mahendra, B.A.G.G.; Liyanage, S.K.; Hewavinsenthi, S.J.D.S.; Ratnayake, R.M.U.S.
The Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya provides histopathology reporting for the Colombo North Teaching Hospital (NCTH) as an honorable service. The department currently uses a standalone Microsoft access database to generate reports and it has limited data retrieval capabilities. A newer system was required to address the issues faced, mainly a prolonged turnaround time caused by lack of clinical data, inability to track delays in sample processing, delays in data entry and report dispatch. More efficient data retrieval for research purposes and monitoring of postgraduate training were also considered important. The aim of the work was to implement anonline histopathology reporting system that has facility to track the reporting stage, postgraduate evaluation and data retrieval for researches. Every report is attached with a diagnostic code that can be used in research purposes. A web-based application was developed that has ability to capture data at each step from specimen receiving from the surgery theatre until dispatch of reports. The system has developed to easily customizable to different settings. Thus, it has facility to add new reporting templates, anatomical sites, surgical specimens or diagnostic codes to system through web forms. Data entry was facilitated by using drop down menus and prompts. Standard templates for reports with option to edit were uploaded enabling quick report generation. It facilitates postgraduate supervision by enabling the trainer to determine the time taken, quality and quantity of work done by the trainees. Mainly open source scripting languages and databases were used to developed the system: PHP, HTML 5, CSS Javascript, Ajax and MySQL. The system hosted on the faculty intranet and available 24/7 from anywhere at the faculty. The system supports both windows and androids operating systems and the system can be accessed in desktop and tablet computers using any commonly used modern web browsers.
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Cloud Storage among the Medical Students at Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya
(19th Conference on Postgraduate Research, International Postgraduate Research Conference 2018, Faculty of Graduate Studies,University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2018) Hettige, S.; Hettiarachchi, W.G.; Solangaarachch, D.I.K.; Dasanayaka, I.P.E.U.; Ediriweera, E.P.D.S.
The rise of the healthcare spending on cloud services indicates the adaptation of the cloud technology in recent past. The aim of this study is to assess the attitudes and practice of cloud storage (CS) among the students at Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya. Stratified sampling with proportional allocation was used to select students. Number of students selected from 1st to 5th year were 46, 49, 47, 50 and 43 respectively. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data after obtaining written informed consent. 261 returned questionnaires and 26 were removed due to incompleteness. Of 235, 75 (32%) were male students. 138 (59%) students were aware of CS, among them, 127 (92%) had used CS. 126 (54%) students believed CS is useful and 121(52%) students have used CS to save materials, among them (53%) for educational material, (36%) for personal information and (11%) for entertainment material. Among the students who were aware of CS, the main limiting factors of using CS were lack of time (40%) and knowledge (20%) and they were also concerned on limited accessibility (33%), lack of security (27%) and privacy (24%) in CS. Among the 41% who were not aware of CS, 74% mentioned that they would like to have training on CS and another 22% indicated that they are not interested on CS. The majority of students were aware of CS and lack of time and knowledge hinder CS usage. The accessibility, security and privacy are the main concerns about CS. Study shows majority of students are willing to learn on CS and teaching CS during undergraduate training would be beneficial to the students.
Usage of social media as an education resource among medical students at Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya
(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2019) Dasanayaka, I.P.E.U.; Wickramaarachchi, G.K.; Hettiarachchi, W.G.; Hettige, S.; Ediriweera, E.P.D.S.
INTRODUCTION & OBJECTIVES: Social media (SM) networks has become a popular educational tool at present. There is limited data in Sri Lanka on SM usage as an educational tool. The aim of this study is to evaluate the usage of SM for academic purposes among medical students of faculty of Medicine University of Kelaniya. METHODS: Stratified sampling with proportional allocation was used to select students from each batch and 287 students were recruited from 1st to 5th year. Informed written consent was obtained and a self-administered questionnaire was given. 255 completed questionnaires were returned. RESULTS: Of 255, 86.95% students used SM for educational purposes with no male and female difference (P=0.06). 90.6%, 61.6% and 56.1% accessed Facebook, Google + and YouTube respectively. Of them, 67.1%, 44.7% and 33.9% respectively accessed them daily for academic purposes respectively. 84.2% students followed medical related web sites through SM. 84.5% had joined educational groups in SM and 44.9% had joined academic discussions or information sharing groups in other local and foreign universities. 43.3% could not find information that they want due to information overload and 38.1% mentioned that SM disturbed their academic work. CONCLUSION: Majority had used SM for educational purposes without gender preference. Facebook, Google+ and YouTube are the commonest SM educational tools and majority had joined educational groups. SM had disturbed academic work of students and difficulty to find correct information was major concern among students.
Using Google Analytics to Enhance the Quality and Layout of a University Website: A Case Study
(International Postgraduate Research Conference 2019, Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2019) Solangaarachchige, M.B.; Madushani, J.A.P.; Hettiarachchi, W.G.; Ediriweera, E.P.D.S.
A university website plays a significant role in showcasing the culture of the university, academic achievements and study programmes. The objective of this case study is to use Google Analytics data effectively to revamp the website of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya. Google Analytics records web traffic and performance data which can be used to identify the areas to improve a web site, however, this information does not indicate the ways to improve a website. Hence three hypotheses were developed to make effective modifications based on the Google Analytics reports. Hypothesis 1 is to restructure the Home page to enhance pageviews. Hypothesis 2 is to lessen the page depth to increase user retention on the page. Hypothesis 3 is to improve responsiveness to attract more mobile visitors. This section presents results according to the Old Website (OW) versus New Website (NW) for a period of 6 months (April to November 2018 vs 2019). Page interaction from Landing page as Home to visited pages were identified in Student notices (SN) (4 vs 0) and Staff directory (SD) (4 vs 2). Furthermore, pageviews for the SN (42,173 (15.6%) vs 53,478 (16.6%)) and SD of the department sites (23,417 (8.7%) vs 4,427 (1.4%)) were examined. Further, News and Events (4,180 (1.6%) vs 6,806 (2.1%)), Academic programmes (3,358 (1.2%) vs 5,703 (1.8%)), Research (538 (0.2%) vs (1,611 (0.5%)) and About Us pages (273 (0.1%) vs 2,465 (0.8%)) were visited. We also explored Page depths (3.78 vs 3.20), Average session durations (02:53 vs 02:40), Average time on page (01:02 vs 01:13) and Bouncing rates (55.1% vs 64.8%). Users visited the website using desktops (12,003 (61.9%) vs 10,983 (34.4%)), mobiles (6,178 (31.9%) vs 19,331 (60.6%)) and tablets (1,210 (6.2%) vs 1,597 (5.0%)). First hypothesis was assessed with views to restructured home page. We observed an increase in views for SN, News and Events, Academic programmes, Research and About Us pages. Decrement of pageviews to SD by individual department sites may due to visitors directly referred to SD via home page rather than via department sites. Therefore, we concluded that the first hypothesis is satisfied. Second hypothesis was assessed with Average time on a page. There we observed an increment. However, there was a decrease in Average session duration and Bouncing rate. It indicates that the visitors find the results they seek through the landing page. Therefore, we concluded that the second hypothesis is satisfied. Third hypothesis was assessed with device type. We observed an increase in mobile users. Nevertheless, there was an increment of overall users. Therefore, we concluded that the third hypothesis is satisfied. The overall review of Google Analytics pre and post-revamping data explains the increase in pageviews, user retention and user attraction