Browsing by Author "Harshani, K.R.N."

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Document management in school offices in Sri Lanka
(University of Kelaniya, 2008) Harshani, K.R.N.
Exploring the impact of design elements on children's books: visual literacy, physical layout, content, and illustrations
(Department of Library and Information Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2023) Harshani, K.R.N.
Children's books play a foundational role in early education and development. Design attributes of these books wield a profound influence on a child's reading experience, imprinting their cognitive growth and overall engagement. This research aims to explore and understand the impact of design elements on children's books, with a particular focus on the physical layout, content, and illustrations. The population of this research was the early childhood children's picture books. The sample for this research comprises 100 children's picture books, selected through a systematic random sampling method. This method involves the use of well-defined criteria and a randomised process to ensure that the sample is representative of the broader population of children's picture books. Data gathered from the research were analysed through descriptive analysis techniques. Through an analysis of various design choices and their implications, this research seeks to show how the arrangement of elements, the structure of content, and the art of illustration collectively contribute to the educational and emotional resonance of children's literature. The study addresses challenges encountered in the utilisation of external structure, internal organisation, typography, and illustrative components in storybooks designed for children. This qualitative research incorporates a comprehensive review of literature and fieldwork. It underscores the techniques arranged in children's storybooks, with a particular emphasis on the fundamental role of illustrations. These illustrations serve as a bridge for children, facilitating a deeper comprehension of text and enriching their understanding of the world around them. Consequently, this research not only recognizes the vital significance of the interplay between design and content in shaping children's literary experiences and lifelong reading habits but also delves into the challenges faced by authors and publishers in the realm of children's storybook writing. These challenges encompass a wide range of factors, such as maintaining age-appropriate content, engaging storytelling, and the need for diversity and cultural sensitivity in an increasingly globalised world.
Functionality of library building in Sri Lanka
(2013) Harshani, K.R.N.
Functionality of university library buildings in Sri Lanka: a comparative study
(Research Symposium 2010 - Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2010) Harshani, K.R.N.
The Principal purpose of this study is to observe the function of library building in Sri Lanka. In addition, this research attempts to make an evaluation of university library buildings in Sri Lanka. University library is the highest place of education in any country. Therefore university libraries and library buildings are of great importance. These buildings play a significant role in the library services and successful buildings affect all the functions and services of the library. Objective of the study were to investigate the state-of-art of functionality of library buildings in Sri Lanka, to explore favorable factors which contribute towards the university library buildings in Sri Lanka, to identify problems and weaknesses which affect functionality of library buildings in university libraries, to explore the measures and steps that can be used for achieving the functionality of university library buildings. The method followed for this study was the survey research. The population of the study was the whole University library buildings, the professional library staff including university library users. Four universities were selected as the sample. Primary data was collected circulating two structured questionnaires among the first year, final year students, Librarians, Senior Assistant Librarians and Assistant Librarians in Universities. The overall results indicate that the staff and users are fairly satisfied with the current library buildings. All the libraries could provide functionality status for the library buildings and could address their current weaknesses. Before planning a library building, library professional staff should pay adequate attention to additional aspects such as university library of buildings, construction, landscaping, interior arrangement, lighting, furniture and equipment.
Good Practice of Reshaping a School Library: with Special Reference to Vidyartha Navodya Maha Vidyalaya, Pahalamaragawewa in Anuradapur
(3rd International Conference on Library and Information Management, Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2019) Harshani, K.R.N.; Siriwardana, A.S.
This article seeks out to bring to light some of the huge achievements, best practices in reshaping school library through creative initiatives. The school library is fundamental to the learning and teaching development. A library is a significant source of knowledge to students in schools. In this research mainly focused on reshape present library in Vidyartha Navodya Maha Vidyalaya. Case study was adopted for this study. This paper details how one school transformed its school library, making it a central place for reading within the school. Data collected provided evidence of the kinds of strategies, programmes and design that works to encourage reading skills. In this research mainly focused on designing attractive spaces for reading environment. Researchers had a typical planning cycle to implement and set up this library efficiency, effective and creative manner namely assessing needs, planning improvement of library get their achievement, with that help of principle, librarian, prefect of schools (grade 6-12) with teachers of school library. Best practices included workshop with staff training, and activity basis ideas. Setting up a library is also a great challenge. It is necessary to recommend that work closely with many other people at in school. In this way the library will belongs to everyone at the school and can be made to benefit many generations of students. Library delivers a student with necessary additional material and extra reading. It progresses the important habit of reading between the students and school library shows a great part in the life of students by helping as the store house of knowledge. Today’s school librarians must effort harder than ever to demonstrate their value to educators, students, administrators. Consequently, the role of encouragement in school librarianship is serious. This paper provides a brief idea the way of school library have transformed, identifies some of the challenges school librarians face, and suggestions one best practice that can support school librarians advocate for themselves and for efficient and effective school library arrangement. This research shows that the more successful outcomes happened in schools where the entire creative process between school children and member teachers of project team. Although this research motivated on school libraries, the conclusions are broadly applicable to monitor innovative user-centered education facility planning and resourcing
Setting up a Preschool Book Corner: A Pilot Study with Special Reference to Preschool at Polpithigama in Sri Lanka.
(Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya,Sri Lanka., 2017) Harshani, K.R.N.
The period of Early Child Care and Education (ECCD) of 6 years separated in to two, 0-3 years as the step of beginning and 4 and 5 years as the stage of preschool education. A supportive preschool learning atmosphere encourages the growth of children’s critical thinking skills; and cultivates the interest and the engagement as the foundation of methods to learning. This type of setting must develop children’s capacity to involve extremely in individual and group activities and projects. This study focuses to determine the purposes of preschool teachers in reading for children, the practices they use to give children the pattern of reading, the resources they keep in their particular book area, the methods they use, the themes they desire in the books they read for children, and the events they conduct using story books which are significant throughout this period of childhood. The main objective of this study is to establish a creative book corner in preschool. Second objective is to explore the preschool teachers’ performances.The sample group of the study is composed of 89preschool teachers working in independent preschools of the PolpithigamaPradeshiyaSaba. As an initial stage the researcher conducted a one day workshop with all teachers conferring various types of group activities, way of storytelling and presentations related to book corner. This study data were collected by the evaluation of distributing questionnaire. Results showed that every preschool have story books. Though they have books, there is no any special creative area relevant. Recommendations for preschool and kindergarten teachers to accomplish diverse practices namely, teachers should plan picture story book reading activities that they will perform in their preschools considering principles as selecting books with a good theme, by voice, mimics and gestures, keeping the story short and exciting, repeating it on the following days and integrating them with the activities as poems, music and drama. Moreover, teachers should be aware of children’s skills and determine the issues that will attract them.