Recent Submissions
Item type: Item , Evaluating the impact of digital games on learning tenses: Learners' attitudes and pedagogical implications in ESL classrooms(Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2024) Samarasinghe, M. H. S.One of the most significant and debated issues in language education is the role of grammar instruction. The complexity of English grammar often demotivates the students from learning the language. Therefore, the educators should adopt innovative methods to teach grammar that also motivate and encourage the students. In Sri Lanka, there is a movement towards transforming the traditional paper-based education system and embracing innovative teaching strategies. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the learners' attitudes regarding the impact of using digital games such as Kahoot, Quizizz and Duolingo in learning simple past, simple present and simple future tenses to intermediate ESL learners. A purposive sample of 50 grade nine ESL students of Maliyadeva Girls College, Kurunegala participated in the study and during the first week of intervention the tenses were taught using paper-based methods. Further, during the second week of the intervention the tenses were taught for the participants using the digital games based on tenses. A qualitative approach research design was used to answer the research question as the data were collected utilizing semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews revealed two main perspectives among the participants. Firstly, the learners overwhelmingly endorsed the use of digital games, citing increased motivation, creation of a learner-friendly environment, enhanced language practice, and improved interpersonal relations. The participants expressed enjoyment and found digital games effective in engaging with grammatical concepts in a meaningful and enjoyable manner. Secondly, despite these benefits, challenges such as distractions and perceived time consumption were noted, highlighting potential drawbacks. Overall, the findings underscore the positive impact of digital games on ESL learners' engagement and proficiency in tenses, suggesting their potential as a valuable pedagogical tool in language education.Item type: Item , Implications of a Dogme lesson in the context of a Sri Lankan classroom in learning English as a second language(Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2024) Fernando, M. D. C.The Dogme English Language Teaching (ELT) is a teaching approach with less material use. The undergraduates in the study context have an intimidating attitude towards the English language. Less research is available in Sri Lanka, evaluating the learner interest with a Dogme ELT lesson. The researcher conducted a quasi-experiment with 40 students as part of a mixed- method study, selected from a semi-government university in Sri Lanka. Both experimental and controlled groups had 20 students respectively. The researcher taught both groups for 4 days. The experimental group underwent language scaffolding with Dogme ELT with less material use. The controlled group learned the same topics, with heavy material use. The lessons scaffolded in the experimental group were: (1) Use of Prepositions, (2) American Vs British English, (3) Types of Nouns, and (4) Formality of vocabulary. After the intervention, the proficiency scores of both groups were analyzed with an independent T-test. The results were significant with a p-value of <.00001, claiming Dogme ELT could be effective in the Sri Lankan context. It could be stated that the students can maximize their learning potential with less material use. The researcher provided questionnaires to the students in the experimental group, enquiring their opinions towards this methodology. The findings through descriptive analysis and thematic coding of the data related to the student questionnaires revealed that the students should be free to suggest content in their syllabus, especially regarding the speaking skill. The teachers in the same department were given questionnaires to evaluate their opinions about this methodology. It was discovered that these lessons should be minimized in the classroom due to the unpredictability of emerging topics, which do not align with the objectives in the syllabus. However, in this study, a small sample was used, in an undergraduate context. It can be tested with school-level students for a longer period.Item type: Item , Music Iconography portrayed in South Asian Buddhist arts (based on Ajanta Buddhist caves)(Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2024) Kumara, J. C. R.; Prasad, B. S. V.This study explores the iconographical evidence of music depicted in the Ajanta Buddhist caves and its significance in the history of Indian music. By applying descriptive and historical approaches to the iconographical evidence, the research focuses on the identification, analysis, and interpretation of the musical icons in Ajanta. The study addresses the following research question: What iconographical evidence of music is presented in the Ajanta caves, and how does it contribute to our understanding of India's musical history? The research examines the characteristics of the musical instruments in Ajanta, including their structure, playing techniques, and performance contexts, as well as comparisons with similar depictions at other locations. This study meticulously surveys literary sources and archaeological findings qualitatively. The musical instruments depicted in Ajanta can be categorized into four types: string instruments (Tata), such as Lutes or Veena; percussion instruments (Avanaddha), including Drums and Cymbals; solid instruments (Ghana), referring to solid or metallic instruments; and wind instruments (Sushira), such as Flutes and Conches. The study concludes that the Ajanta caves provide significant evidence of music during the relevant historical period, contributing to the historical evaluation of the musical instruments and offering insights into the Buddhist perspectives on music.Item type: Item , An evaluation of women's engagement in decision-making in a community welfare society in Sri Lanka(Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2024) Kumara, M. R. S.; Thilakarathna, K. A. A. N.Empowering women implies extending them the rightful authority or power to carry out tasks. Given the authority to do so, women could take part in planning and decision-making and contribute individually to development initiatives and activities. Evidence-based studies are needed to evaluate the impact of women's engagement on decision-making. The present study was an attempt to investigate the impact of women's engagement on decision-making in a community welfare society in Grama Niladari Division 103, Abagaswewa, in the Medirigiriya Divisional Secretariat in the Polonnaruwa Administrative District of Sri Lanka. The qualitative approach was used as the method of the research and the ethnographic method was used as the research design. The random sampling method was used for the study. The size of the sample was 100 women members of the welfare society. fFocus group discussions and participatory observations (overt approach) were used for data collection. The direct and indirect speech, narrative style, ethnographic account, and discourse analysis were used for the data analysis under the qualitative data analysis methods. 90% of female members found to be involved directly in governing their welfare events without the influence of any other party. Further, the study gathered information about the women's attitude towards the freedom they enjoyed in decision-making and having access to the leadership position. 91% of women's felt that they were having feedom in decision-making and had access to manage the events in their welfare society. The findings provided proof to conclude that women who engage in the welfare society had freedom and access to participate in decision-making at the grassroots level.Item type: Item , Assessing disaster preparedness in areas in Sri Lanka prone to natural disasters(Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2024) Thilakarathna, K. A. A. N.; Kumara, M. R. H.Sri Lanka is a nation frequently exposed to natural disasters such as floods, landslides, and occasional cyclones. This study explored the preparedness and awareness of natural disasters among people in areas prone to such disasters. Acknowledging the critical need for an effective disaster management, the research evaluated the success of existing disaster education and awareness programs while aiming at identifying gaps in knowledge and preparedness within these vulnerable communities. The study was driven by the questions of how well-prepared and aware the rural communities are in the face of natural disasters and what the critical factors influencing these levels of preparedness are. Employing a qualitative approach, the research integrated participatory observation, in-depth interviews, and case studies encompassing 50 households to gather insights, with a focus on two specific regions, namely 504 Kelanimulla area in the Kolonnawa Divisional Secretariat (DS) and 132A Malalpola area in the Kegalle Divisional Secretariat (KDS). Data analysis was carried out using a narrative style, grounded in ethnographic methods. The findings revealed that while there was a basic awareness of natural disasters, substantial deficiencies in preparedness existed, particularly in remote areas where access to crucial information and resources was severely limited. This underscored the urgent need for disaster preparedness programs that are not only targeted and contextually relevant but also culturally sensitive, integrating traditional local knowledge with modern disaster management practices. By doing so, the study contributed to a deeper understanding of disaster preparedness in developing countries and emphasized the essential role of community-based approaches in enhancing resilience and mitigating the impact of natural disasters on vulnerable populations.