Factors Affecting the Effective Usage of Learning Management System:With reference to Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura

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