ICH 2020/21
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/23178
Browse
64 results
Search Results
Item A Study on the Use of Online Streaming Media by the Undergraduates of the Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya.(Faculty of Humanities University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2021) Podduwage, D. Randula; Rathnayake, R.M.P.F.; Manuratne, P.Recognised as one of the modern techniques in the video industry, Video Streaming refers to the use of online platforms to deliver and view video materials through the internet. People can engage with these videos whenever they want, if they have access to an internet connection. Due to the attractiveness of this new medium of delivering video content, video streaming has become a popular mode of entertainment and sharing information, resulting in a relatively low use of traditional media such as television in the contemporary society. Thousands of video materials are uploaded to the internet within a minute, some of which garner millions of views. Studies have been carried out that focus on such aspects in an international level, which points to the general lack of research that explores the ways in which online video materials can be used within the Sri Lankan context. Therefore, the effects of using streaming media on a national level remains a research area that needs to be explored. In its attempt to address this research gap, the present study is focused on understanding the use of online streaming medium by the undergraduates of the Sri Lankan universities in their day-to-day life. Data for the study (both quantitative and qualitative) are gathered by distributing a Questionnaire and conducting interviews with the students who were selected from the Faculty of Humanities of the University of Kelaniya. By analysing the data gathered through the above research methods this study has concluded that, the undergraduates of the Faculty of Humanities have chosen the streaming media as a means of escaping their hectic schedules and relieving their stress, rather than employing such media for their educational purposes.Item ‘Why English? I Never Felt it as a Language, Anyway’: a Study of Language Ideologies and (Re)construction of Ethno-linguistic Identities Among Sri ankan Undergraduates(Faculty of Humanities University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2021) Rathnasiri, Osanka H.In Second Language Acquisition, language learning and use are considered social phenomena which reconceptualise language learners as social beings, who are intrinsically linked to their social contexts through ideologies, identities and inequitable power relationships. These factors position the learner in spaces with varying degrees of opportunities for language use. Therefore, the construct of language ideologies and identities are essential to explore the learners’ ideologies and their relationships with the surrounding world. The use of English for communicative purposes among Sri Lankan state university undergraduates has been a topic of concern for decades, highlighting that these undergraduates do not often use English despite their English education for about 13 years at school, and sometimes following it as a subject for their bachelor’s degree. Emerging from the observations of disinclination to use English and the institutional requirements such as English medium instruction, this research explores language learners ideologies and (re) constructions of identities to identify the inhibitive factors related to speaking in English. Data for this study was generated using a background profile questionnaire, identity portraits, and narrative interviews. Using purposeful sampling, seven first- year undergraduates were selected as the research sample of this study. The data gathered was analysed using thematic method of narrative exploration to identify the impact of learners’ language ideologies which were shaped by their lived realities of having limited access to English, perceptions of English as a subject rather than a communication tool and the dominant identities, originated from the influence of their mother tongue. Thus, the interpretation of English as symbolic capital by macro language ideologies may contradict the micro language ideologies, leading to (re)constructions of identities exclusive of English which refute its ownership. This disclaimed ownership of English can expose the factors that inhibit the use of English by learners, an outcome of studying their language ideologiesItem A Study on Issues in Learning English Language through Short Courses in Sri Lanka(Faculty of Humanities University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2021) Senarathne, K.P. Manmi Pabasara; Sandarapperuma, S.A.H.M.According to Kachru's Concentric Circle Model of English, Sri Lanka is recognised as an outer circle country, where English is used as a second language in the teach- ing/learning process. The government and non-governmental institutions in Sri Lan- ka have taken various steps to improve the English language skills of the students, among which is the introduction of certificate and diploma courses that can be fol- lowed after G.C.E.O/L and G.C.E.A/L examinations. Emerging from this context, the present study investigates the effectiveness of such courses conducted by the private institutes to identify the salient issues associated with them, while interrogat- ing the students’ perceptions of such short courses. Data for the study was gathered by distributing a questionnaire among 20 students, and by conducting informal dis- cussions with 5 lecturers/teachers who work in private institutions. The researchers have used the simple random sampling technique to select the research sample for their study. The results of the study revealed that most of the English courses are pri- marily conducted with a financial intent, and the teachers/lecturers fail to fulfill the students’ expectations of following such courses. It was also observed that, the use of target language in the classroom remains low during those courses, while little to no individualised attention was paid for the students who required the teachers’ assistance the most. The study has also highlighted that 85% of the total respondents held the opinion that these courses are fruitless as they fail to provide any aid for real world language needs. Therefore, this study concludes that there should be more organised and transparent strategies when continuing these courses, while hiring more skillful and talented teachers with enough pedagogic knowledge who should be provided with a training to cater their teaching practices to the language needs of the students.Item A Study on Investigating the Effectiveness of Incorporating Ed- modo to Improve English as Second Language (ESL) Tertiary Learners’ Paragraph Writing Skills(Faculty of Humanities University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2021) Ruwandika, J.D.K.The rapid growth of technological devices over the twenty first century has revolutionised different fields of science. Similarly, the invention and use of computers have had a tremendous impact on various aspects of scientific studies, while expanding its role from a mathematical device to a device that is used for general education. For example, Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) refers to the use of computers in the learning and teaching of English. CALL has played a vital role in personalising education while exposing language learners to a wide array of online learning platforms. Edmodo is one such platform that has been incorporated by many of the teachers for language instruction. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of Edmodo in improving the paragraph writing skills of tertiary level students’ who study English as a second language, while examining their perceptions towards its implementation. The study was conducted based on forty first year undergraduates of the Faculty of Humanities of the University of Kelaniya, who were following the course, English for Humanities. The researcher has used a mixed methodology to gather data, which consisted of a pre-test, a post test and interviews. Quantitative data that was gathered for this study has been analysed using paired sample t-test of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 2.0 version (SPSS). The qualitative data of the study was analysed using a thematic analysis that follows the theoretical framework designed by Brown and Clarke (2006). The findings of the present study indicated that Edmodo could be used to improve paragraph writing skills of the tertiary level students. Simultaneously, participants displayed positive attitudes towards the implementation of Edmodo highlighting the ease of access, improved levels of confidence and motivation, reduction of learning cost and opportunities for interaction outside the classroom as reasons for their positive attitudes.Item A Linguistic Analysis of Sri Lankan Advanced Level English Students’ Writing in relation to Sri Lankan English Writing and Error Analysis(Faculty of Humanities University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2021) Arsakulasuriya, Chandula Medawana; Caldera, Isuri AnuradhaThe study incorporates an analysis of writing samples of young Sri Lankan English users (students who study English at A/L s) and semi-structured questionnaires. It aims to assess language errors done by young Sri Lankan English learners in writing, and to determine the feasibility of one-on-one feedback as an error analysis method in the classroom. The researchers identified three prominent sources of language errors in writing samples: negative transfer, overgeneralisation, and poor choice of words. The study shows that teachers work with the students with a common understanding that students who take English as a subject for General Certificate of Education Advanced Level have acquired language skills that of a native English speaker/writer. The findings of the research deconstruct this common understanding as the language errors identified in the content analysis clearly show that they belong to the category of ESL (English as a Second Language) students. The findings of this research do not justify the individual feedback as a successful method that helps students translate their ideas to grammatically correct sentences, since the participants who received feedback and did not receive feedback have made similar language errors. However, this study proves that the students alone cannot polish their writing since the errors identified in this study reflect the students’ knowledge gaps which need to be rectified with the support of a teacher/mentor.Item An Overview on the Agreement Between Greece and Egypt on the Delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone – 2020: A Reminiscence of the Pre-Alexandrian Contacts Between Europe and Africa(Faculty of Humanities University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2021) Sathsara Perera, C.T.S.One of the most discussed recent contracts in international foreign affairs is the agreement between Greece and Egypt on the delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone in the East Mediterranean Sea. On the 7th of August 2020, they signed the agreement in Cairo which sets the sea boundaries between the two countries. The agreement demarcates an exclusive drilling right for gas and oil, two major energy resources in the Mediterranean Sea. This recent agreement is reminiscent of commerce, diplomatic and political contacts that prevailed between ancient Greece and Egypt. The relationships between Greece and Egypt can be traced back to the 2nd millennium BCE. Unearthed archaeological evidence supports the ancient contacts, specifically of trade contacts between the two countries, that will be discussed in the paper, including references to historical records. Naukratis, the Greek port in Egyptian territory at the mouth of Nile was a major trade port inhabited by selective Greek communities. Other trading ports such as Canopus and Heracleion also functioned as major ports linking ancient Greece and Egypt for a considerable period of time. Furthermore, there are ancient records on how Egypt sends grain supply to Greek cities and functioned as the main grain supplier to Athens. On the other hand, evidence proves that Greece had sent mercenaries to Egypt in times of need. Nevertheless, ancient Egypt only had allied with selected Greek states depending on the necessities. The recent agreement signed by Greece and Egypt in 2020 will be examined as a present case study to reassess how the two countries maintained mutually beneficial long-term contacts. The objective of the research is to illustrate how and why, Greece and Egypt maintained continuous relations. Further, it is evident that maritime commerce has played an important role for continuation of foreign relations between Greece and Egypt throughout the centuries.Item Unani Medicine from Egypt to Hippocrates of Cos and Ayurveda Medicine to modern Day Are the Traditional medicinal Systems of Unani, Ancient Greek and Ayurveda Based on the Same Principles of Restoration of health?(Faculty of Humanities University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2021) Randiwela, R. M. D. S.Out of the numerous medical systems, Unani medicinal system from Egypt, Greek medicine from ancient Greece and Ayurveda medicine from India can be identified as three principle traditional medicinal systems that have survived up to the modern world of medicine. It is remarkable to note that one can witness similarities in the teachings and practices based on the principles of restoration of health among these three traditional medicinal systems. This research concentrates on the three traditional medicinal systems of Unani, ancient Greek and Ayurveda to examine whether all three systems of traditional medicine are based on the same principles of restoration of health. Though it is difficult to find the primary influence, it can be seen that the basic principle of medicine is the basis of the three traditional medicinal systems, Unani, Greek and Ayurveda. traditional medicinal systems identify them to be blood, phlegm, yellow bile and black bile. Moreover, all three systems of medicine deal with the basic principle based on the concept of any disturbance caused to the balance/ equilibrium causes disease and by restoring balance to the unbalanced or disturbed, health can be restored to the body. A qualitative data analysis was used as the study had to interpret historical material in this study. Historic and comparative methods were also used to meet the expected findings and conclusions of the study.Item The Language Ideologies and the Macro-context in the Family Language Policy (FLP) of a Sinhala / English Bilingual Family(Faculty of Humanities University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2021) Bandara, Kanchana SanjeevaniThe Family Language Policy (FLP) is an extension of Bernard Spolsky’s conceptualisation of language policy which consists of three components: language practices, language ideology and language management. This policy is principally concerned with the decisions taken by parents with regard to their children’s language use. These decisions are determined by internal factors within the family or the micro-context, as well as the external factors that stem from the macro-context. This research has studied an urban English/Sinhala bilingual family to explore the factors emerging from the macro-context, and to identify how such factors mould the language ideologies held by the parents with regard to the children’s language use. By adopting a case-study approach, this research utilised the methods of participatory observation and semi-structured interviews for its data collection, which was analysed using the qualitative content analysis method. The study has identified the admission to popular public schools in Colombo, competition posed by international schools to public schools and the crucial role of English in determining the success in the job market as the factors that stem from the socio-political and socio-economic contexts in the macro-context. Several factors stemming from the sociocultural and sociolinguistic contexts that represent the macro-context also contribute to shape the language ideologies. These factors include the transmission of Sinhala cultural values through English, the lack of English leading to social marginalisation, English as a class marker and the assumed importance of foreign languages. Therefore, the family forms a language policy in response to the language policy implemented at the institutional level. In that venture the FLP adheres to the formal language policy emerging from the macro-context while emphasising the language in which the parents expect their children to gain proficiency.Item A Comparative Study on the Acceptances of Moodle by the High Proficient and Low Proficient Level ESL Undergradu- ates in the Faculty of Business Studies and Finance(Faculty of Humanities University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2021) Hakadewaththe, Nipuni P.; Chandrasekara, N.; Bandara, Rajindra P.The escalation of technology has provided educational institutions with opportuni- ties to blend the technology into their curriculum. This study is done to compare and contrast the acceptance of Moodle by the high proficient and low proficient under- graduates. This study mainly focuses on the participation of students in assignments, quizzes and discussion forums in the online learning platform. This research study was conducted using the mix method since the data of the research were gathered and analyzed by using both quantitative and qualitative methods within the same study. The actual research instruments employed in the study were based on a ques- tionnaire and interviews. This study was conducted on 510 participants of the Fac- ulty of Business Studies and Finance at the Wayamba University in Sri Lanka based on the purposive sampling technique to investigate the acceptance of the Moodle by the participants. The qualitative information was analyzed using the questionnaires. Further, the findings demonstrate that the participation in the activities by the stu- dents in both groups in the Moodle is considerably satisfactory. Conclusively, it is proven that the Moodle is a successful tool which can be used in the classroom as an effective way of approaching the students to teach English Language. Finally, the suggestion is to use the blended learning method in the ESL classroom in order to get the maximum results.Item The Implementation of Videos as a Tool in Teaching Vocabulary to Elementary English as a Second Language Students.(Faculty of Humanities University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2021) Udara, W.K.N.Language learning becomes a challenging task if the learner does not have adequate knowledge of vocabulary. As the acquisition of vocabulary is a gradual process, learners may require additional time and attention in their vocabulary acquisition. There are different ways in which the learners acquire vocabulary in ESL (English as a Second Language) classrooms. Thus, this study aims to examine the influence of using videos on the development of vocabulary of elementary students in terms of pronunciation, spellings, and meaning. Thirty Grade three students of Olcott Maha Vidyalaya were selected as the research sample of this study, who were randomly divided into two groups as the controlled group and the experimental group. A thirty- item vocabulary test was conducted prior to the experiment as the pre-test. After the completion of the pre-test, the experimental group was taught some vocabulary items under a certain theme using YouTube videos. On the other hand, the controlled group was taught the same vocabulary items by using the traditional teaching methods including meaning practicing, dictation and picture descriptions. This process was continued for four weeks where the students were taught vocabulary items under six themes namely, food, things we use at school, parts of our body, animals, clothes, colors, fruits, and vegetables. A post-test was conducted at the end of the four weeks to examine the development of each group. The results of this study revealed that the participants in the experimental group outperformed those in the controlled group in terms of the development of vocabulary. There was a positive and significant difference in the performance of the group that was exposed to videos materials when compared to the group that was taught by using traditional teaching method. Thus, the findings of this study may help teachers understand the role video materials can play in an ESL classroom.