Research Papers - Dept of Software Engineering

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://rda.sliit.lk/handle/123456789/1022

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Author: search.filters.author.Imbulpitiya, A

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    PublicationEmbargo
    Using active learning integrated with pedagogical aspects to enhance student’s learning experience in programming and related concepts
    (Springer, Cham, 2019-09-25) Imbulpitiya, A; Kodagoda, N; Gamage, A; Suriyawansa, K
    Teaching programming concepts and skills to beginners is a challenging and daunting task. As undergraduates, students struggle with understanding the fundamental concepts of programming and learning the syntaxes to build up a solution to an existing problem. The main challenges in delivering an introductory programming module are to get the students actively engaged within and outside the classroom and to increase the level of interest towards programming. Many researchers have tried out using different active learning tools and techniques to engage students in the learning process interactively. Even though lot of different techniques and tools have been introduced with time there is still a reluctancy among the learners and academics to move from the traditional teacher centric learning environment to a more interactive student centric environment. This research is focusing on how active learning integrated with pedagogical aspects can be used in an introductory programming module and the effectiveness of it when compared with a traditional approach.
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    PublicationOpen Access
    Say No to Free Riding: Student Perspective on Mechanisms to Reduce Social Loafing in Group Projects.
    (Science and Technology Publications, 2021) Samarakoon, U; Imbulpitiya, A; Manathunga, K
    Project based learning is a popular teaching method in Information Technology undergraduate programs where students gain necessary skills and knowledge via a hands-on capstone project. Key learning gains from such projects are problem-solving skills by applying theoretical knowledge while improving soft skills like collaboration and communication. Students can improve critical thinking, learn to face challenging situations, and build creative solutions for a desired problem as a group. Irrespective of all these benefits, social loafing or simply free riding can be recognized as the key challenge in these group-based projects. Some students in group projects put less effort on group work than when they work alone while surviving in the group and taking credits for someone else’s work. This scenario leads to demotivation of hard-working members and lot of group conflicts. Ultimately, social loafing affects the group performance while resulting with unsuccessful projects and dissatisfied students. Seeking mechanisms for reducing social loafing in group projects is becoming a vital and this research proposes set of mechanisms to reduce social loafing in IT group projects and presents the students’ perspective on usefulness of each mechanism.