Use of Open educational resources for improving the academic performances of university students: based on the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Higher education plays a crucial role in the education system of Sri Lanka. Within this context, universities occupy a prominent place among other institutions that provide higher education. Open Educational Resources have been an essential type of resource for Sri Lankan higher education, especially in the effect of political, economic, and social including technological turbulence. The purpose of this study is to investigate the awareness and usefulness of Open Educational Resources among university students. The research approach used in this is the quantitative method and the research strategy was the survey research method. All the B. A Hons undergraduate’s students of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Kelaniya were considered as the selected research population. It is a size of 2442. The sample was selected with a confidence level of 90% using the mathematical formula called “Sample Size Calculate” and the stratified random sampling method was applied in selecting the sample. It was a size of 243. Primary data was collected through an online questionnaire and the Excel software was used to analyze the quantitative data. The study revealed that university students are aware of Open Educational Resources. However, the use of Open Educational Resources by students was not at a positive level. Open Educational Resources are useful in the academic performance of university students for research activities, evaluation activities, projects, new skills development, research skills development, and for the preparation for exams. Providing proper guidance and training on Open Educational Resources to every university student, directing students to use Open Educational Resources in all higher education institutions including universities, and developing a proper policy and infrastructure on Open Educational Resources could be used for improving the academic performance of university students.