Browsing by Author "Pathiratne, S."

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“Ath Waruwa” an Internet-Based Services for Senior Citizens
(University of Kelaniya, 2015) Pathiratne, S.; Bandara, P.A.C.J.S.
In a matter of a decade, the Internet has revolutionized the way in which people communicate, do business and socialize. Most senior citizens never used Internet accommodations in the workplace and may therefore eschew utilizing them now. Despite the benefits and advantages, it is necessary to be vigilant of threats, as Internet users are often targets of fraudulent schemes.It must be taken into account that older people differ from the younger generation in terms of both cognitive and physical abilities, making it more arduous for them to recollect usernames and passwords or to work with input contrivances such as a keyboard or mouse. The objective of the research is to develop an environment for senior citizens to efficaciously and safely utilize Internet-cognate accommodations, taking into account their cognitive and physical abilities. This longitudinal case study was conducted at a “Seth Sevana” retirement village in Mirigama, Sri Lanka, over a period of 18 months from May 2013 to October 2014. The study was undertaken in two phases: Phase 1 during 2013 and Phase 2 during 2014.From the research results it is clear that a front-end system like “AthWaruwa” is able to address the quandary of authentication and facile access to culled Internet accommodations. “AthWaruwa” makes it possible for a senior usersto access their Gmail, Skype or Facebook accounts with two clicks of a mouse, firstly to substantiate identification and secondly to select the service. Predicated upon the desiderata of the elderly, it is imperative to have an administrator on site and available to avail new users with the sundry accommodations. “AthWaruwa” made it possible for the participants to be authenticated with minimal activity on their side. By using facial recognition, combined with a user-friendly, front-end system, a group of senior citizens, mostly over 70 years old, have productively used email, search engines and online social networking. But once logged into a service like Gmail for example, it was noticed that that the users struggle to type an email message. Thus future plans include making use of voice recognition to assist senior citizens to compose their email messages faster and with less physical activity on the keyboard.
Development and Validation of e-Content on “Thermodynamics” to Instruct Engineering Physics to Undergraduates
(Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Pathiratne, S.
The present era is an era of academic globalization. Engineers of today and tomorrow are expected to be far more ingenious and innovative. Now a day with the tremendous developments in technology, possibilities are emerging to provide technical edification in an innovative way to meet ecumenical demands. With the avail of incipient kind of scholastic programmers, we can provide multidimensional and multi-disciplinary edifying experiences to the learners e-Contents are the puissant implement of inculcation. e-Content is the latest method of tutoring, which has magnetized more attention of educationists. Hence there is less possibility of incorporating technology to edify Engineering Subjects. And additionally there is no quality e-Contents were developed for Engineering Physics Subject. Hence the main objectives of this study is to A) To develop an e-Content on ―Thermodynamics‖. B) To validate the developed e-Content. C) To ascertain the efficacy of developed e-Content in edifying ―Thermodynamics‖ to first year Engineering Undergraduates. A pre-test, post-test two group experimental design was adopted. Sample of 60 First Year Engineering Undergraduates were exposed to different treatments such as edifying through e- Content and conventional method of edifying. The study was additionally fixated on ascertaining the consequential distinctions between control and experimental group of First Year Engineering Undergraduates in their academic achievement while learning ―Thermodynamics‖ with reference to gain scores. The achievement scores were analyzed utilizing different statistical techniques. It was found that the experimental group Undergraduates who were edified through e-Content material had better achievement scores than the control group Undergraduates in learning ―Thermodynamics‖. In conclusion, this present study pellucidly denotes that the developed e- content on ―Thermodynamics‖ is more efficacious and as recommendation can verbally express that Chalk and verbalize method of edifying Engineering Physics Subject should be reduced. More incipient instructional technologies utilizing e-Contents shall be introduced in Engineering Faculties.
E-Commerce Organization’s Information System Necessities.
(Department of Library and Information Science,Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya,Sri Lanka., 2017) Bandara, T.A.C.J.S.; Pathiratne, S.
The digital era offers incipient ways of doing business. The prosperity of these innovative approaches consists in obtaining the needed information more expeditious than ever, executing transactions in authentic time and perpetually refining methods and procedures. So far, enterprises are simply start to grasp the advantages of the business electronic systems. At the moment, author availed at a great society transformation, from a paper-predicated to an electronic-predicated modus operandi.E-commerce organizations (EO), Virtual Enterprises (VE) or web-enterprises (WE) are withal global scale enterprises, acting on planetary level by utilizing ICT. In fact, these are enterprises “based on information”, on erudition; they are built on advanced cutting edge information handling technologies., Administration structure is simplerIn these enterprises, with fewer bureaucracy and, in conclusion, more malleable. Information has a multiplier role, triggering all economic subdivisions. It avails the enterprise optimization, raising the productivity, while depressing costs.The incrementing involution of daily quandaries, together with the circumscribed time for solving them, pose the incipient stresses on software designers’, who claim additional and more CASE utensils, in dissimilar phases of the information system project. Underneath these conditions, the developing medium engenderers connect modeling instruments (CASE), and instrument engenderers are in favor of tighter linking of instruments for developing mediums.The setting-up and upkeep of e-commerce activities, which require maximum security conditions for all transactions, as well as other commercial functions such as apprising users or promoting products with maxim effectiveness, under the compression of authentic- time transactions, are all information system designer tasks.The cull of one of the numerous solutions at hand is tenacious, to a great extent, by the performance criteria and business orchestrating of each corporation, by predictable outcomes of the commercial activity. Other prosperity factors are represented by the experience, professional training, and innovative spirit, and ingeniousness, power of acclimating and capacity of utilizing the already existent resolution capabilities, of the design squad.This study will present some germane aspects of the E-commerce organizations information system requisites, CASE modeling techniques and of the VE internal and external relationships
Effect of Administration, Environment and Academic Qualifications on Motivation of the Sri Lankan Primary School Teacher’s Motivation
(Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Amarathunga, P.A.B.H.; Pathiratne, S.
Education is the process through which an individual is developed into an individuality and a person into a personality. Each person is different form the other and every individual has same unique potential in some field or other. Education refers to the change in behavior, attitude and culture brought about in the individual as a result of having undergone education during a particular period. In Child’s inculcation primary stage implements of edifying acquisition of the schools of learning cultivation of habits of body and postures of mind compulsory for efficient acquisition of erudition formation of sound judgment and adroit performance of tasks. Edifier plays the most paramount role in primary inculcation. Objectives of the study is to find the effect of administration, location and academic qualifications on Sri Lankan Primary School teacher’s motivation. The sample for the investigation consisted of 160 teachers. The stratified random sampling was applied. The male and female teachers are 77 and 83, the sample consists of 77 males and 83 female teaches from Government (87) and Private (73) schools. Three hypothesizes was formulated for the study and the teacher’s motivation was tested for significance by employing ‘t’ – test. The results denoted that the administration has paramount effect on the motivation of teachers. Additionally, location of school has significant influence on the teacher’s motivation and there is paramount influence of academic qualifications on the teacher’s motivation. In Conclusion researchers can say that Administration highly influenced the teacher’s motivation. Government teachers have positive teacher’s motivation scores than Private sector teachers. The administrators should provide better employment facilities for the Private school teachers. Location of school also highly influenced the teacher’s motivation. Urban school teachers have positive teacher’s motivation scores than the rural school teachers. Therefore the administrators should provide physical facilities for the rural school teachers. Academic qualifications also highly influenced the teacher’s motivation. Undergraduate teachers have positive teacher’s motivation scores than the Post - graduate edifiers. This indicates that the administrators should provide more facilities for the undergraduate teachers.
Effect of Gender in ICT Literacy: A Case Study of Sri Lankan Trainee Teachers
(Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Amarathunga, P.A.B.H.; Pathiratne, S.; Weerasinghe, D.
The exordium of information and communication technology (ICT) into the scholastic sector engendered incipient gregarious typecasts and gender divergences. Since the invention of a computer, ICT-cognate activities have been viewed as a male domain (Brosnan& Davidson, 1996) or something for boys Reinen&Plomp, 1996). As several research reviews and meta analyses summarized, boys were more fascinated with ICT than girls, they were heavier users of computers, had more positive postures about computers and consequently outperformed girls in their ICT literacy (Reinen&Plomp, 1996; Volman& Eck, 2001). However, a number of recent studies evidenced that ICT-cognate distinctions between females and males abated mainly in the access to ICT and rudimental computer skills (Busch, 1995; Rainer, Laosethakul, &Astone, 2003). Meanwhile, gender inequalities now emerged in incipient areas of ICT use (Rainer et al., 2003). In Sri Lankan Context this study is the first one.This study aims to get an insight into gender differences of aspiring edifiers. Gender differences in self-reported ICT experience and ICT literacy among trainee edifiers are investigated. Dynamic model of ICT literacy is employed. Three main components of aspiring teacher’s ICT literacy are covered: (1) present general quandary-solving and technical ICT capabilities; (2) circumstantial and longitudinal sustainability; and (3) transferability of ICT capabilities into future professional domain. The study was predicated on self-assessment research methodology. The questionnaire coalesced multiple quantification implements and included seven components. The participants were the first year students at one of the Colleges of Edification in Western Province of Sri Lanka. Two hundred and seventeen students were enrolled in the program: Male and Female occupation was 66 (30.4%) and 151 (69.6%) respectively.Findings denote that no consequential differences were found between females and males’ precedent experience with ICT. Male respondents on mediocre operated computers considerably more hours per week than females. Consequential distinctions between males and female’s technical ICT capabilities and circumstantial and longitudinal sustainability were observed. Male marks were greater. In the regression analysis, when the influence of the contextual and ICT experience variables was controlled, gender failed to be a consequential presager of the sustainability scores. However, it remained a consequential prognosticator of some trainee edifier’s scores, cognate to their technical ICT capabilities.
Efficacy of Blogs in Erudition of Computer Programming among Undergraduates
(Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Pathiratne, S.; Amarathunga, P.A.B.H.
The use of blogs in an educational setting produces several benefits which include the promotion of critical and analytical mentally conceiving, incremented access and exposure to quality content and an accumulation of solitary and gregarious interactions with peers. Blogs are personal journals written as a reversed chronological hawser of text, images or multimedia, which can be watched in a web page and are made publicly reachable on the web. Blogs typically enclose text in the form of a “blog post”, offer the capability for readers to comment or deliver feedback, comprise archives to past blog posts, and link to other blogs and bloggers (Anil Madaan, 1998). The present study found out the efficacy of educational blog in erudition of Computer Programming among Undergraduates. The study was conducted to develop an educational blog for the methods of teaching Computer Programming and experimentation the same with a set of students studying for the B.Tech. In Multimedia and finding out its efficacy over the orthodox technique of instruction. Two equivalent group experimental-designs are engaged for this research. Researcher has chosen 46 B. Tech in multimedia, students for the study. From the Marks attained of pre-test, 23 students were selected as control group and 23 students were selected as experimental group. According to the findings of t-test the experimental cluster students were better than the control cluster students in their gain scores. Finally, the Researcher concludes that; (a) There was substantial variance between control and experimental group students in their gain scores. That is the experimental cluster students are ameliorated than control cluster students in their gain scores. (b)There was consequential distinction between control and experimental group students in their gain scores for procurement of the cognizance, understanding, and application objectives.
A Framework for Application of Successful Online Education Systems in Sri Lanka
(University of Kelaniya, 2012) Pathiratne, S.
Initially industrialized for providing distance learning programs, online education systems in their existing practices are authoritative systems with proficiencies that match Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. By using them on an enterprise-level basis, numerous Higher Education Institutions are able to take advantage of their powerful functionalities and ERP-like integrative capabilities to put together academic and administrative systems (Twigg 2002). The objectives of this research are to: Classify concepts to quantify online education systems application success; recognize maximum suitable dependent variable as a substitution for online education systems and develop a framework of online education systems.This research is suggesting that it may no longer be significant to still appraise online education systems as only educational technologies in view of the current application environment where new methods of online education systems are currentlyIS’s of strategic significance in numerous Higher Education Institutes (Moul 2002). Online education systems should consequently be typical information systems, i.e. within the standards of information systems assessment research and no longer as educational technology or a novelty. The methodology of this study is mainly quantitative : A questionnaire described as a survey of endusers’ perceptions on e-education systems application was distributed to two groups of end-users comprising lecturers and students from three universities, University of Colombo, University of Vocational Technology (UNIVOTEC), and Sri Lankan partner institute of University of Greenwich (UK).
A Framework for the implementation of Electronic Customer Relationship Management Information System (e-CRM) in Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) in Sri Lanka
(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2016) Pathiratne, S.; Amarathunga, P.A.B.H.
iterature has denoted that Electronic Customer Relationship Management (e-CRM) can play a key role in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as an implement to efficaciously engender and maintain relationships with company’s clienteles. E-CRM is being espoused by corporations for the reason that it increments customer adhesion and customer retaining by amending customer gratification. This study proposes a framework for the implementation of Electronic Customer Relationship Management (e-CRM) information systems in Sri Lanka. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods were utilized. Primary data were accumulated from Small and Medium Enterprises located in 20 districts of Sri Lanka. A self-administered questionnaire was the main data amassment implement. Descriptive statistics were habituated to analyze data and refine the requisites for implementation of e-CRM information systems. The findings designate that for prosperous implementation of e-CRM information systems, there should be utilizer sensitization, training and infrastructure. There is withal desideratum for strategic level support and an e-CRM strategy to guide utilization. The most paramount features of e-CRM information systems were identified as the ability to ascertain customer privacy, presence of a Frequently Asked Questions implement, and high speed. The proposed framework was developed predicated on Thong (1999) Technology Organizational Environmental Management (TOEM), with refined requisites from primary data. The developed framework was validated utilizing a case study. The validation results from the case study to a more immensely colossal extent were in acquiescent with survey findings. On average 9 out of 12 respondents indicated Yes on all the items in table 10. In other words, they denoted that the framework was compatible, re-utilizable, simple to utilize, clear and reliable. Only 2 respondents indicated No. Similarly, 8 respondents in the case study indicated Yes on all items in table 11, denoting that the framework components were well expounded, interactive, facile to understand and use, interdependent on each other, used simple language and additionally that the steps in the framework were logically arranged. The framework presented in this study has highlighted key e-CRM features and factors pertinent and applicable to Sri Lankan SMEs. The framework was validated and the validation results denoted that the framework was applicable in e-CRM and meets design requisites. If well implemented, the framework can avail organizations ameliorate on their e-CRM implementation.
ICT based learning environment and achievement of students in Chemistry among G.C.E Advance Level students in Kurunegala District of Sri Lanka
(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2016) Pathiratne, S.; Amarathunga, P.A.B.H.
Utilization of ICT is acknowledged as a cognition implement for pupils and has acknowledged how pupils who are confident and proficient in ICT can bring with them opportunities for elongating their cognition as they utilize their ICT in other subjects in the school curriculum. The expeditious growing accessibility and capability of emerging technologies have fashioned brobdingnagian opportunities of scheming, developing and instigating innovative edifying methods in the classroom. The ecumenical technological scenario has paved the way to incipient pedagogies in edifying-cognition process fixating on technology predicated learning environment and its impact on student achievement. The present experimental study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of technology based learning environment on student achievement in chemistry. A pre-test post-test equivalent group design was used to compare the accomplishment of the two clusters. A Pre-test and post-test comprising 50 pieces each from Chemistry textbook were developed and administered. The amassed data were statistically analyzed. The results showed that there was a consequential distinction between the mean scores of Experimental group and the Control group. The performance of Experimental group was better on post-test scores that indicted that edifying through technology predicated learning environment enhanced the achievement level of the students. When compared with the results in post-test, it is pellucid that the students performed better when edified in technology predicated learning environment and it avails students develop the faculties of cognizance, comprehension and application as the items of achievement tests were predicated on these quantifications. On the basis of the results, it was recommended that teaching and learning through information and communication technologies may be adopted to enhance the Chemistry learning competence of the schoolchildren. Technology based learning environment might be stimulated and provided to heighten the achievement level of the students in chemistry subject. Through the use of technology interest may be developed in the students who are slow learners.
The ICT competencies of new accounting students of different admission criteria: the case of Sri Lankan private university
(Department of Accountancy, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Amarathunga, P.A.B.H.; Pathiratne, S.
The current trend in business and accounting settings requires an accountant who is an ICT literate. International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) published the International Inculcation Guidelines that include ICT erudition and competency requisites for professional accountants. These guidelines are intended to avail its member bodies in preparing professional accountants to work within the ICT environment. Amid others, the strategies highlight the ICT erudition and competency requisites for the accountants vis-a-vis the ICT users. This study aims to investigate the level of information and communication technology (ICT) competency possesses by new accounting students at the Private University in Sri Lanka according to their Admission Criteria. The study examines five software applications deemed critical for an accountant, namely, word processing; spreadsheet; database; PowerPoint presentation; and Internet and email. A survey was conducted on 182 first year accounting students. Overall, students from the Foundation Diploma Admission Criteria are found to possess the ICT competency better than those from other Admission Criteria. The competency of students from London AL and GCE A/L Admission Criteria in spreadsheet is found to be below average. All students regardless of their Admission Criteria were found to be less competent in Database Management System (DBMS).
The impact of computer supported Problem Based Learning on Sri Lankan undergraduates’ approaches to learning
(University of Kelaniya, 2013) Pathiratne, S.
Effective learning is an exclusive amalgamation of the learning environment and students’ favored direction toward learning. In the literature, it is suggested that the learning environment affects students’ approaches to learning. It is commonly believed that the practice of deep approach to learning is concomitant with higher quality learning outcomes and surface approach with lower quality learning outcomes, and the deep approach will contribute positively to learning outcomes. Therefore, it is important to encourage students to employ the deep approach. Problem Based Learning (PBL) is one of the learning environments to foster a deep approach to learning. The objective of this study is to explore the impact of computer supported PBL on students’ approaches to learning. The research was conducted as a pre-test and post-test. The experimental process of study has been carried out on 78 undergraduate students of the University of Colombo, University of Vocational Technology, and University of Greenwich. The sample comprised 41 females and 37 males studying Information Technology in their second semester. The group’s age range was 21-27 years. The Scale of Approaches to Learning was used as the data collection tool, which was developed by the researcher. The accumulated data were evaluated by a paired simple t-test. Findings of this study demonstrate that a computer supported PBL environment has both a positive impact on employing deep approaches to learning by students and a negative impact on employing surface approach to learning.
Impact of Computer-Predicated Educational Achievement Test on Test Performance and Test Takers’ Motivation
(Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Amarathunga, P.A.B.H.; Pathiratne, S.
There has been an incrementing interest in recent years in developing and utilizing computer-predicated tests in edifying assessment. To supersede paper-predicated tests with computer-predicated ones, the standards for developing computerizedassessment (International Test Commission., 2004) requires equipollent test scores to be established for the incipient computer-predicated test and the conventional paperpredicated test. However, in most test mode commensurability studies, the genuine test items used have been identical, and yet consequential differences have been found in test scores in paper-predicated and computer-predicated modes. This has been reported for more than a few subjects, containing languages, science and mathematics. The validity of utilizing computer-predicated tests in edifying assessment must therefore be queried. This study involves a biology test and a biology motivation questionnaire utilizing a Solomon four-group experimental design to examine the validity of the computer-predicated test and its effects on test performance and the motivation of test-takers. The findings provide auxiliary evidence for the validity of computer-predicated test in scholastic assessment.
Impact of Technology on the Customer Satisfaction - A Study with Reference to Sri Lankan Banking Sector
(Research Centre for Social Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Amarathunga, P.A.B.H.; Pathiratne, S.
Developments in information technology, telecommunication and internet utilization has changed drastically the relationship focused activities into data oriented operations. Sri Lankan Bnaking sector is one such sector affected by this. To study the factors that influence the contentment, attention is fixated on factors directly cognate to the customer contentment. The desideratum for the study is to ascertain concrete factors and their influence on the posture of the customers. The present study tries to see strategies to understand the demeanor of customers and explore ways of their incorporation into a well-designed set of policies. As the main aim of the study is to ken the impact of technology on the contentment of customers, Survey and questionnaire were used with two components. Convenient sampling technique was employed in the cull of banks located in and around Kuliyapitiaya town of North Western Province of Sri Lanka and Personal interview method was adopted to gather the primary data. The present study finds that majority of customers are satisfied with the services they are receiving in the banks. There are some customers who are not satisfied with the services i.e.,procedure to apply for loan, interest on the loans, debit and credit cards, mobile banking and customer care. It is therefore suggested that this disstisfctioin ie removed. It is postulated that the procedures cognate to taking the imprest is causing dissatisfaction to some of the customers, hence bank ascendant entities are required to look into this factor and some of the intricate procedures which involved in the sanctioning of loan may be relaxed to certain extent. Similarly, the quandaries cognate to debit cards and credit cards must be taken earnestly as some of the customers are facing quandaries with these accommodations. Further, the banks should develop efficient complaint solving system with innovative modern advance technology as it enhances the gratification of the customers.
Indorsing constructivist use of ICT among teacher trainees using a programing language
(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2016) Amarathunga, P.A.B.H.; Pathiratne, S.
In the frame of a training course for future edifiers, an ICT-enhanced project, predicated on a Logo learning environment and inspired from a constructivist inculcation philosophy, was undertaken aiming at familiarizing students with the utilization of computer as an implement that can trigger constructivist learning and availing them to adopt an exploratory and constructivist edifying practice. The training practice used in the training course fixated on the trainees’ self-activity and vigorous commitment in lab experimental activities. The mundane feature of the training activities was not the programming language but a constructivist essence of exploit and learning. Through such a process, it was expected that Teacher Trainees would gain individual experiences of investigative and constructivist erudition and would be able to inspire into their future students the same edifying spirit. Trainees were asked to give ordinant dictations to their turtle to draw customary polygons and a circle utilizing kineticism commands. They were emboldened, afore they give injunctive authorizations to the Logo turtle to draw a geometrical figure, to analyses the quandary and to cerebrate about the injunctive authorizations. Very often student work resulted in unexpected erroneous figures on the screen. So students had the opportunity to agnize their errors and to endeavor again. This process was reiterated an abundance of times until students reached the expected result. They were enheartened to endeavor several solutions and keep endeavoring until they prosper, to work with self-action and autonomy and determinately to be queried about the edifying value of those activities. The evaluation of the project was based on  Teacher Trainees´ achievement on the tasks as it was documented.  A 5-point Likert scale quantifying the degree to which students concurred or dissented with verbal expressions regarding the interest and the edifying usefulness of the cognition experience they had working on the tasks.  Answers and explications on open questions given in the form asking them to detect and mention any positive edifying issues they had discovered in that technique and to cerebrate of and report kindred methods for edifying their school subjects  Two case-studies: two edifier-students were enheartened to implement the same activities in their college lecture with their pupils and record consequences and understandings. The evaluation results denoted a positive impact on the students in terms of familiarization with the essence of the projected methodology and of understanding the prospective of ICT for constructivist erudition. The evidence emanating from the two course members, who used and assessed the methodology in a school class, provided inspiriting denotements that the students developed proficient of smearing the methodology they had learnt in authentic classroom settings.
Instigating an Online Game as Mathematics Learning Support Tool
(Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Pathiratne, S.
Mathematics inculcation should be a compulsory subject at any caliber in a school. Mathematics can broadly be defined as the science of understanding and apperceiving patterns and relegating them predicated on numbers or well defined mathematical structures. The cognition process of mathematics promotes one’s analytical skills and critical cerebrating. Critical cerebrating is paramount to live a better life regardless of the nature of one’s employment. This paper fixates on the design, Instigating and evaluation of an online game for elementary and middle school mathematics. Its aim is twofold: (a) the development of the prototype of a flexible and adaptable computer game, and (b) the evaluation of this prototype, as to its usability and technical aspects. The particular computer game was engendered in an endeavor to facilitate the edification of mathematics, a subject that is often regarded as perplexed by students of all ages. Apart from the game, an administration website was additionally constructed, so that the inculcator can configure the game, without that requiring any programming skills. More concretely, the edifier can utilize the administration website in order to alter several of the game’s parameters, such as the content and total number of its questions. The game was evaluated in authentic school settings, both through a pilot study with 12 students and a long-term intervention with 37 students that lasted 14 weeks. The results designated that the students’ opinion about the game was positive, and suggest that with some extensions the game could be utilized as an efficacious learning implement. Determinately, some corresponding conclusions and future amendments to the game are being discussed on the substructure of the findings.
Intrusion of heavy metals/metalloids into rice (Oryza sativa L.) in relation to their status in two different agricultural management systems in Sri Lanka.
(Groundwater for Sustainable Development, 2021) Navarathna, C.; Pathiratne, S.; de Silva, D.; Rinklebe, J.; Mohan, D.; Mlsna, T.
The contentious results of elevated As and Cd levels, in both Sri Lankan rice and in agrochemicals have recently raised tremendous attention. These claims could not standalone due to the study’s poorly designed sampling and analytical methodologies. In this work, selected traditional Sri Lankan rice and hybrid rice varieties were cultivated (under fertilized and organic conditions) using a split-plot design during Yala (May to August) and Maha (September to March) seasons in two regions: Anuradhapura and Kurunegala. As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Pb, and Se contents were determined in harvested rice grain and straws for Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) risk assessment. In addition, analysis of these elements in water, soil, and agrochemicals was used to estimate their geochemical behavior. The majority of agrochemicals and fertilizers had Cd, Cr, and Pb. Grain Cd contents in rice varieties were ranged from not detectable to 158.9 μg kg􀀀 1 in both cultivation seasons, and soil was sought to be the primary Cd source. As, Se, Hg, and Pb were also not detectable in both rice grain and straws. Native variety Pachcha Perumal rice grain showed a low Cd accumulation in both seasons at both regions. Kuruluthuda and Madathawalu showed a moderate accumulation versus other varieties. Cultivating and consuming these native traditional rice varieties practicing organic farming could be a possible way to combat CKDu risks. The correlations (between the rice grain Cd content and farming condition, location, or season of cultivation) were tested linear regression to fit data on to Freundlich model, and no distinct statistical correlations were observed (p > 0.05). Mean chromium contents (38.5–112.1 μg kg􀀀 1) detected in the rice grain were not alarming. Soil, irrigation water, and agrochemicals were free from As and Hg. However, rice straws contained substantial amounts of Cd. Therefore, use of it as organic manure should be limited.
Protecting Folklore Using the Intellectual Property Act of Sri Lanka
(University of Kelaniya, 2015) Bandara, T.A.C.J.S.; Pathiratne, S.
Folklore has been defined as a living phenomenon “which evolves over time”: a basic element of our culture which reflects human culture. As it reflects human spirit it is also a vignette to a community’s cultural and social identity. The Cambridge International Dictionary of English language defines folklore as traditional stories and the culture of a group of people. It is one single all embracing definition. However,folkloreof every ethnic group is its identity. Folklore is actually a compendium of the genius of mankind and artistic nature. NIPO defines folklore in an Act,highlighting “access”- meaninggathering, procurement,revelation, possession or use of traditional knowledge for scientific commercial or industrial purposes. However, many developing countries complain about the loss of copyright and patent to the developed world who exploit the traditional knowledge and folklore of these countries unauthorized. Sri Lankan indigenous motifs are used to sell everything from bangles, rings, honey, flower buckets, and necklaces. Indigenous art has been reproduced and used in advertising and marketing. Thus we observethese local designs often in new contexts. The intention of this study, therefore, is to examine the existing framework of the protection of folklore in the context of intellectual property rights, particular from the perspective of the Sri Lankan experience.
Role of Inculcative Multimedia in Narrowing the Digital Divide
(University of Kelaniya, 2015) Pathiratne, S.
This study explores the assertion that the development of inculcative multimedia has a key role to play in efficaciously reducing the impacts of the digital divide particularly in the context of developing nations. This assertion is predicated on the premise that the ecumenical diffusion of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) should not be guided by a technologically deterministic approach but situated in the context of a felicitous development and critical theory of technology methodology, which takes into account a comprehensive range of gregarious, cultural, political and economic enabling factors. Such an approach is a feature of a gregarious and community informatics framework.Within this context, facilitating the expansion of electronic literacy, culturally appropriate online content and interfaces through the development of Inculcative multimedia can assist the process of social inclusion within developing countries. Before examining the role of Inculcative multimedia in this context, the study critically analyses the conception of the digital divide and why ICTs have come to be seen as the panacea to the problems of global development.The results of the study shows the notion of the digital divide, the factors contributing to it and the solutions pertaining to it are widely contested. A technologically deterministic perspective of the digital divide proposes solutions predicated on access as defined by the physical constructs.This appears to be the authenticity of much public policy to date and haplessly appears to be exacerbating the digital divide within countries. What is required to address the digital divide is a gregarious and community informatics perspective, predicated on a critical theory of technology, which places more preponderant accentuation on broader development goals.Utilizing a gregarious and community informatics perspective, the role of inculcation and Inculcative multimedia, and in particular the issues of electronic literacy, online content and interface design, is fundamental. In a practical sense these issues can be addressed by facilitating indigenous and non-Western cultures to be actively engaged in the development of their own online content and interfaces thus withal promoting democratization of edification and diversifying the nature of online cognizance and languages.
School Principals’ Management Styles and its Influence on Primary Schools Teachers Motivation in Kurunegala District of Sri Lanka
(Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Pathiratne, S.; Amaratunga, P.A.B.H.; Weerasinghe, D.
Primary School administration in Sri Lanka is bedeviled with a plethora of quandaries most of which emanate from shortages in management styles of leaders of these institutes. There have been times when edifiers had to stage open protests to register their displeasure about School Principals‟ management styles which they often described as lack of administrative and management Skills. This situation has often led to low morale among edifiers and consequently this study fixates on ascertaining the effects of School Principals‟ management styles on teachers‟ motivation in Primary Schools in Sri Lanka. The study additionally endeavors to visually examine and expound how School Principals‟ informal relationship with edifiers accommodates as a motivation for edifiers to work to achieve institutional goals.The descriptive design was espoused for this study. The population comprised 10 Primary School Principals and 633 edifiers in the Kurunegala District. The sample for this study comprised 100 teachers who were randomly culled from the public Primary Schools in the Kurunegala District.The study, among other things, revealed that most edifiers optically discern their Principals as bosses and not as friends. Again, it was exposed that though edifiers were involved in decision making, the genuine setting of aims for a school were left in the hands of the Principal. It was ergo recommended for School Principals to adopt the Management by Walking About and Management by Objective so as to get more proximate to their edifiers in the running of schools. Predicated on the research it is recommended that Principals of schools be given in-Service training to improve them on how to coalesce the utilization of the two management styles to incentivize their edifiers to perform and Principals of the miscellaneous schools should be able to delegate some of their obligations to other assistant Principals. Withal Efforts should be made to perpetually involve the edifiers in the decision making process in the school to boost their motivation to perform.
Sri Lankan Undergraduates’ E- Learning Experiences on the Aspects of Technical, Social and Pedagogy
(Research Centre for Social Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Amarathunga, P.A.B.H.; Pathiratne, S.
Educationalists argue that e-learning would shift towards a model of undergraduate-centered learning. The accentuation is on e-learning through an active gregarious process rather than a passive process of erudition acquisition. The present research tries to examine the experience of the Undergraduate students of sri Lanka towards e learning. Based on the experience in a government university, this was predicated on three aspects, namely technical, Social and pedagogy. The research uses explanatory methodology that comprised the assembly of quantitative and qualitative data. Both questionnaires and interviews were used for collect data. A total of 46 undergraduates who were in the second year of their respective courses were selected for this research using random sampling technique. The findings designated that undergraduates’ views were positive towards the technical aspects of e-learning predicated on technology and implements utilized in the e-learning environment, pedagogical aspects of collaborative learning approach involved, and their gregarious roles in the e-learning environment. This research has shown that e-learning can be efficacious in distributing positive outcomes for learning. The implements utilized in e-learning environment have particular constrictions and these must be considered in the design of e-cognition activities. The research additionally showed that e-learning can be efficacious in facilitating online collaboration. However, the e-learning activities goals must be premeditated to stand-in online collaborations and to promote learners’ online collaboration for learning. The research revealed positive outcomes for learning were cognate to learner’s participation transformation in e-learning in developing understandings and gaining expertise; in developing responsibility for their own and others’ learning; and in developing positive postures, confidence and gratification in the course.