Abstract:
Learning Management System (LMS), is highly regarded in all higher education institutes as one of the
most effective means of communication. A paradigm shift from traditional to student centered learning
has been catered through LMS since it is a mode of e-learning. Despite the many advantages provided
to the education sector, LMS requires its users to have the required technology, facilities, knowledge as
well as positive attitude towards being technology oriented to better utilize LMS. However, in absence
of those requirements being fulfilled, the advantages of having such a system become dormant. Thus,
the main objective of this study is to find out whether there are such factors by which the effective usage
of LMS is affected in Sri Lankan State Universities. The target population has been further narrowed
down to the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of University of Sri Jayewardenepura. A
questionnaire was circulated among randomly selected 354 undergraduates from all the four years. The
results of this study show that every student has a means of accessing internet but, the majority use
LMS only several times per month. Nonetheless, LMS is frequently used to download lecture materials
while uploading assignments and online quizzes are the other two reasons to use LMS, other than to
fulfill the first year Compulsory English course requirements. Though majority expressed that using
LMS is an easy way to create a liaison between undergraduates and the lecturers/lecture materials, they
also agreed that there are factors that affect LMS usage. According to the factor analysis, three main
factors have been identified. They are; lack of awareness on LMS, fear of technology and the less
concern of majority of lecturers to use LMS. Thus, according to this study, though LMS is used in the
selected context, not all the features but a few included in the system are used in the teaching learning
process. Furthermore, though the importance of LMS is felt, the factors affect the usage have minimized
the effectiveness of LMS. Yet, through minimizing those factors, LMS can be used to create a platform
for open learning equally to all undergraduates
