Research Publications

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://rda.sliit.lk/handle/123456789/4194

This main community comprises five sub-communities, each representing the academic contribution made by SLIIT-affiliated personnel.

Browse

Filters

2013 - 201912020 - 20254

Advanced Search

Filter by

Settings

Has files: YesSubject: search.filters.subject.education

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemEmbargo
    Gamifying Coding Education for Beginners: Empowering Learners with HTML, CSS and JavaScript
    (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2025) Chandrasekara, S; Hewavitharana, D; Weerasinghe, M; Gayasri, B; Wijendra, D; De Silva, D
    Traditional coding education often fails to engage and motivate beginners due to its lack of interactivity and personalized learning experiences. This paper presents a gamified learning platform designed to teach Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), and JavaScript (JS) to beginners. The platform incorporates interactive lessons, AI (Artificial Intelligence)-powered coding assistance, and advanced gamification mechanics to enhance learner motivation, engagement, and success. Furthermore, key features include performance-based recommendation engines, virtual coding environments with real-time feedback, and a collaborative platform for peer interactions. The integration of AI provides personalized feedback and adaptive learning paths, while gamified elements such as badges, points, and leaderboards foster competitive and enjoyable experiences. Preliminary findings demonstrate a 40% increase in student engagement metrics and a 35% improvement in coding competency compared to traditional methods. This research lays the groundwork for future expansion to additional programming languages and broader educational applications, with potential implications for transforming computer science education on a scale.
  • Thumbnail Image
    PublicationEmbargo
    Addressing Child Labour in SAARC: The Synergy of Education, Health and Economic Growth Towards SDGs
    (John Wiley and Sons, 2025-11-09) Muthugala, H; Magammana, T; Perera, A; Bandara, A; Jayathilaka, R
    Child labour remains a critical socio-economic challenge in the SAARC region, closely linked to sustainable development goals (SDGs). This study investigates the determinants of child labour by examining the roles of education, health and economic growth using a robust methodological framework. The analysis captures the non-linear country-specific relationships between these variables and child labour, employing advanced methodological approaches, including multiple polynomials, stepwise and simple polynomial regression. The findings reveal a complex interplay of factors, with each variable showing positive and negative effects on child labour in country-specific contexts. Improved access to education generally reduces child labour, but disparities in quality and affordability can have the opposite effect. Health improvements significantly lower child labour rates, yet unequal healthcare access perpetuates exploitation among vulnerable groups. Economic growth shows dual effects: it promotes adult employment and alleviates poverty, yet unregulated expansion in specific sectors can heighten the demand for child labour. This study makes a novel contribution by integrating socio-economic determinants with child labour within a regional framework, providing actionable insights while aligning with SDGs 3, 4, 8 and 8.7. Key policy recommendations include fostering regional collaboration, ensuring access to free education, enacting and enforcing new laws, improving healthcare infrastructure and promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth. These measures align with global SDG commitments but aim to secure a brighter future for the region's children by achieving these goals by 2030.
  • Thumbnail Image
    PublicationOpen Access
    Google Trends Analysis of Online Interest in English Language Learning in Sri Lanka (2011-2024)
    (Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2024-12-04) Rodrigo, W. A. I.
    Online search trends for English language learning may reveal evolving preferences and demands for language acquisiti on in the modern day. This study explored the online interest in English language learning among internet users in Sri Lanka from 2011 to 2024, uti lizing Google Trends data to analyze search behaviors. Temporal and geographical variati ons in relati ve search volumes for selected search terms related to English language learning were examined. According to search trends, public interest in courses, classes, diplomas, and degrees in English has gradually increased over ti me, then dropped temporarily in the initi al phase of the pandemic, only to rise again to a plateau between 2022 and 2024. Regional analysis highlighted dispariti es in interest levels across diff erent provinces; interest in the term ‘learn English’ was most prominent in the Western Province; interest in English courses and diplomas was highest in Sabaragamuwa Province. In terms of seasonal variati ons, peak search volumes for most terms before the pandemic were in September and January, whereas aft er the pandemic, peak interest occurred in February and September. Concerning subject areas, a shift in interest towards English literature compared to English as a Second Language and Linguisti cs was seen. With regard to the English language profi ciency tests, a clear drop in interest for IELTS occurred during the pandemic, but with the economic recession and the migrati on of professionals that followed, interest in the IELTS spiked in 2022 and 2023, only to decline again aft erwards. This research contributes to the understanding of how online resources and global events infl uence language learning trends, off ering valuable insights for policymakers and educators.
  • Thumbnail Image
    PublicationEmbargo
    Android based e-Learning solution for early childhood education in Sri Lanka
    (IEEE, 2013-04-26) Priyankara, K. W. T. G. T; Mahawaththa, D. C; Nawinna, D. P; Jayasundara, J. M. A; Tharuka, K. D. N; Rajapaksha, S. K
    Preschool age is critical for a child's development. The parents of competitive society today are challenged to meet learning needs of children. They are unable to dedicate time and are not up-to-date with change of technology. The need for easy to use and effective learning aids has become vital. This research investigates how to support self-learning of modern-day preschoolers. Kids Training e-Learning System (KTeLs) is a learning tool that facilitate self learning of preschool kids. It is based on a strong theoretical foundation and allows kids to develop cognitive and psychomotor skills such as drawing, writing, recognition of numbers, basic shapes and colors and logical thinking. It incorporates a special algorithm to detect and guide the kid to write a letter in the correct direction without guidance of parents. It comes with kids-friendly navigation. The tool was designed as an Android application for tablets and was tested with a focus group. The backgrounds, sounds and colors are especially designed to maintain the attention of kids.
  • Thumbnail Image
    PublicationOpen Access
    ACADEMIC SUCCESS OF PERSONS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENT AND BLINDNESS IN THE TERTIARY SECTOR: EXPLANATORY MODEL
    (Available on-line at: www.oapub.org/edu, 2022-01-14) Suraweera, T; Bandara, S; Wickramarachchi, C; Dewage, N; Gunawardana, T; Nanayakkara, N; Yapa, E; Thelijjagoda, S; Jayathilaka, R
    Ensuring universal access to education is an effective and sustainable means of empowering people with visual impairment and blindness. Literature confirms that blindness of a person is not a barrier for learning, yet past research brings about a range of diverse obstacles for productive engagement in education due to universities being designed for the sighted persons. Given that the persons with impairment are looked after comparatively better in the western world than in the developing nations for realising their challenging academic goals. Purpose of this paper is to present the findings of a comprehensive study on the academic work of persons with visual impairment and blindness in the tertiary sector. This population included recent undergraduates and those who have completed a university degree. The two distinct outcomes presented are; (first phase) the critical factors influencing the academic performance of persons with visually impairment and blindness and, (second phase) an explanatory model that characterizes the construct ‘the academic performance’. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, purposely selected eleven key informant interviews were utilized for the first phase for the qualitative investigation. Thematic analysis was used as the main method of data analysis. The Second phase employed a sample survey. Fifty respondents who had studied in universities during the 5-year period from 2015-2020 were selected through snow-ball sampling. Exploratory factor analysis was used as the main data analysis technique. The key findings of phase one revealed that external support, physical environment, motivation to learn, instructional strategies, ICT and English literacy are major contributory factors to academic performance. The second phase of the quantitative analysis derived five composite factors. Of these, the factor labeled “Motivating influences” appears to be mostly contributing to the academic performance of persons with visual impairment and blindness. While education is a lifelong endeavor of a person, these findings can contribute to make a substantial change in the quality of life of this community in the long run.