Students’ opinion on the use of virtual learning environment: a case study from south eastern university of Sri Lanka

Abstract

The integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) with the traditional mode of teaching has always been a practice in higher education institutes of Sri Lanka since the past. This has created potentially a greater impact in teaching-learning practices. Virtual Learning Environment, a web based application has emerged as an essential, yet powerful tool in the higher education system of Sri Lanka in the recent days. This platform has evolved from Moodle/LMS in order to assist teachers and students to cope up to the global standards. This paper has assessed the opinions of students under various perspectives in incorporating the Virtual Learning Environment into their traditional mode of studies in the context of South Eastern University of Sri Lanka. The study found that the students are strongly positive towards the use of VLE to undertake their studies than the traditional method of teaching-learning process. Further, this paper also suggested that the essential measures are to be taken in order to increase the active participation of VLE since it is highly beneficial to both the parties involved.