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Papers by Palitha Edirisingha
The overload in teachers' role has been renowned and optimized by generative adaptation of techno... more The overload in teachers' role has been renowned and optimized by generative adaptation of technology, which means teaching capability can be improved if educationalists blend technology tropically and timely. Based on this belief, this study tried to judge the teachers' practices in Blended Learning (BL) environment in the context of secondary level students. For this purpose, an empirical study was conducted at Government High School No.1 (boys) Tordher district Swabi Khyber Pakhtun Khwa (KPK). All 120 enrolled science students of grade 9 and 4 science teachers participated in the study. The students' perception of teachers' practices of preparedness, innovation, and developing feedback skills in the BL environment were ascertained through a survey questionnaire whereas 20 students were also interviewed randomly. The responses were measured through a 5-point based Journal of Education and Educational Development Article Likert scale, data were analyzed through descriptive statistics. The research method used for this study was the explanatory sequential approach of mixed-method (Creswell, 2014). Based on the study findings, teachers' practices improved in the BL environment and hence recommended that secondary school teachers need to be encouraged to use the BL approach instead of merely using Information Communication Technology (ICT) or traditional methods of teaching.
The Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 2007
This paper reports findings from research into the benefits of integrating podcasts into a first ... more This paper reports findings from research into the benefits of integrating podcasts into a first year undergraduate module on English Language and Communication at Kingston University. As part of a Faculty teaching and learning support scheme for first year undergraduates, six podcasts were developed to improve students’ learning and study skills and to provide advice on portfolio development and presentation skills. Student learning experience through podcasts was evaluated through two focus groups, personal interviews (six students) and an end of semester evaluation questionnaire (n=35). The paper describes the teaching and learning context and how the podcasts were integrated as part of the blended learning delivery. It discusses to what extent podcasts were able to achieve of the intended outcomes and the processes involved in achieving those outcomes. The findings led to development of a model for integrating podcasts in on-campus blended learning, and which can have potential ...
This is a draft of a paper prepared for presentation at the EDEN Conference, 13-16 June 2007
The purpose of this paper is to suggest approaches and guidelines for using Web 2.0 tools and ser... more The purpose of this paper is to suggest approaches and guidelines for using Web 2.0 tools and services for developing personal learning environments (PLEs) to manage formal and informal learning leading towards a lifelong learning path. This paper considers a PLE not as a particular site or tool that contains all the applications and provides access to users, but rather
We begin by explaining the technology and terminology -for non-technical readers -that enable pod... more We begin by explaining the technology and terminology -for non-technical readers -that enable podcasts and podcasting to happen. We also clarify the technical characteristics that have made podcasting attractive for learning.
In this paper, we urge practitioners to consider the potential of podcasting for teaching, learni... more In this paper, we urge practitioners to consider the potential of podcasting for teaching, learning and assessment. Our perspective is drawn from research on IMPALA (Informal Mobile Podcasting And Learning Adaptation), which showed that there is a range of successful podcasting approaches for students on campus. After briefly surveying the background literature, we provide examples of three approaches, from three
Handbook of Mobile Learning, 2014
Communications in Computer and Information Science, 2009
1 Fundació i2Cat, C/Gran Capità 2-4, Edifici Nexus I Barcelona, Spain ricardo.torres@i2cat.net 2 ... more 1 Fundació i2Cat, C/Gran Capità 2-4, Edifici Nexus I Barcelona, Spain ricardo.torres@i2cat.net 2 Beyond Distance Research Alliance, Attenborough Tower University of Leicester, Leicester, UK palitha.edirisingha@le.ac.uk 3 Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, ...
International Journal of Educational Research, 2005
This paper discusses the impact of the introduction of a virtual learning environment (VLE) on te... more This paper discusses the impact of the introduction of a virtual learning environment (VLE) on teaching practices within a new university in the UK, and explores the factors that have encouraged or, conversely, discouraged, the adoption of the VLE by teaching staff, from the latter's perspective. It is based on findings from the analysis of qualitative interviews with 23 members of academic staff from across four subject areas at Kingston University (KU), conducted as part of a broader research project on the use of VLEs in teaching and learning at KU (2002KU ( -2005. It reports on the areas of teaching that have been most affected by the VLE; details the specific ways in which practice has been transformed by the VLE and describes the nature of the adjustments that staff have had to make; and specifies the factors that have encouraged the adoption of a technology such as a VLE as part of teaching on undergraduate courses. r
Research Papers in Education, 2007
... half year research project conducted at KU on the use of a VLE in teaching and learning ... 2... more ... half year research project conducted at KU on the use of a VLE in teaching and learning ... 2001), who suggests that rather than style determining attitudes towards and use of ICT, learners adapt ... particular approach to learning styles was followed, nor did the study make use of the ...
Educational Research, 2010
Background: In the 1990s, Salmon developed a five-stage model for enabling and scaffolding remote... more Background: In the 1990s, Salmon developed a five-stage model for enabling and scaffolding remote groups to work and learn together using asynchronous bulletin boards. The model has informed online learning and development practice across different levels ...
Networks, 2008
The purpose of this paper is to suggest approaches and guidelines for using Web 2.0 tools and ser... more The purpose of this paper is to suggest approaches and guidelines for using Web 2.0 tools and services for developing personal learning environments (PLEs) to manage formal and informal learning leading towards a lifelong learning path. This paper considers a PLE not as a particular site or tool that contains all the applications and provides access to users, but rather a framework for incorporating Web 2.0 tools and services chosen by the learner for collecting and processing information, connecting people and creating knowledge.
EDEN conference, Pairs, …, 2008
The purpose of this paper is to suggest approaches and guidelines for using Web 2.0 tools and ser... more The purpose of this paper is to suggest approaches and guidelines for using Web 2.0 tools and services for developing personal learning environments (PLEs) to manage formal and informal learning leading towards a lifelong learning path. This paper considers a PLE not as a particular site or tool that contains all the applications and provides access to users, but rather a framework for incorporating Web 2.0 tools and services chosen by the learner for collecting and processing information, connecting people and creating knowledge.
British Journal of Educational Technology, 2009
This paper reports findings of a pilot study that examined the pedagogical potential of Second Li... more This paper reports findings of a pilot study that examined the pedagogical potential of Second Life (SL), a popular three-dimensional multi-user virtual environment (3-D MUVE) developed by the Linden Lab. The study is part of a 1-year research and development project titled ‘Modelling of Secondlife Environments’ (http://www.le.ac.uk/moose) funded by the UK Joint Information Systems Committee. The research question addressed in this paper is: how can learning activities that facilitate social presence and foster socialisation among distance learners for collaborative learning be developed in SL, a 3-D MUVE? The study was carried out at the University of Leicester (UoL) within an undergraduate module on Archaeological Theory, where two tutors and four students took part in four learning activities designed to take place in SL within the UoL Media Zoo island. The learning activities and training in SL were based on Salmon's five-stage model of online learning. Students’ engagement in SL was studied through interviews, observations and records of chat logs. The data analysis offers four key findings in relation to the nature and pattern of in-world ‘socialisation’ and its impact on real-world network building; the pattern of in-world ‘socialisation’ stage in Salmon's 5-stage model; perspectives on students’ progress in-world through the first stage of the model—‘access and motivation’—and perspectives on their entry into, and progress through, the second stage of the model—‘socialisation’—and the role of identity presented through avatars in the process of socialisation. The paper offers implications for research and practice in the light of these findings.
The overload in teachers' role has been renowned and optimized by generative adaptation of techno... more The overload in teachers' role has been renowned and optimized by generative adaptation of technology, which means teaching capability can be improved if educationalists blend technology tropically and timely. Based on this belief, this study tried to judge the teachers' practices in Blended Learning (BL) environment in the context of secondary level students. For this purpose, an empirical study was conducted at Government High School No.1 (boys) Tordher district Swabi Khyber Pakhtun Khwa (KPK). All 120 enrolled science students of grade 9 and 4 science teachers participated in the study. The students' perception of teachers' practices of preparedness, innovation, and developing feedback skills in the BL environment were ascertained through a survey questionnaire whereas 20 students were also interviewed randomly. The responses were measured through a 5-point based Journal of Education and Educational Development Article Likert scale, data were analyzed through descriptive statistics. The research method used for this study was the explanatory sequential approach of mixed-method (Creswell, 2014). Based on the study findings, teachers' practices improved in the BL environment and hence recommended that secondary school teachers need to be encouraged to use the BL approach instead of merely using Information Communication Technology (ICT) or traditional methods of teaching.
The Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 2007
This paper reports findings from research into the benefits of integrating podcasts into a first ... more This paper reports findings from research into the benefits of integrating podcasts into a first year undergraduate module on English Language and Communication at Kingston University. As part of a Faculty teaching and learning support scheme for first year undergraduates, six podcasts were developed to improve students’ learning and study skills and to provide advice on portfolio development and presentation skills. Student learning experience through podcasts was evaluated through two focus groups, personal interviews (six students) and an end of semester evaluation questionnaire (n=35). The paper describes the teaching and learning context and how the podcasts were integrated as part of the blended learning delivery. It discusses to what extent podcasts were able to achieve of the intended outcomes and the processes involved in achieving those outcomes. The findings led to development of a model for integrating podcasts in on-campus blended learning, and which can have potential ...
This is a draft of a paper prepared for presentation at the EDEN Conference, 13-16 June 2007
The purpose of this paper is to suggest approaches and guidelines for using Web 2.0 tools and ser... more The purpose of this paper is to suggest approaches and guidelines for using Web 2.0 tools and services for developing personal learning environments (PLEs) to manage formal and informal learning leading towards a lifelong learning path. This paper considers a PLE not as a particular site or tool that contains all the applications and provides access to users, but rather
We begin by explaining the technology and terminology -for non-technical readers -that enable pod... more We begin by explaining the technology and terminology -for non-technical readers -that enable podcasts and podcasting to happen. We also clarify the technical characteristics that have made podcasting attractive for learning.
In this paper, we urge practitioners to consider the potential of podcasting for teaching, learni... more In this paper, we urge practitioners to consider the potential of podcasting for teaching, learning and assessment. Our perspective is drawn from research on IMPALA (Informal Mobile Podcasting And Learning Adaptation), which showed that there is a range of successful podcasting approaches for students on campus. After briefly surveying the background literature, we provide examples of three approaches, from three
Handbook of Mobile Learning, 2014
Communications in Computer and Information Science, 2009
1 Fundació i2Cat, C/Gran Capità 2-4, Edifici Nexus I Barcelona, Spain ricardo.torres@i2cat.net 2 ... more 1 Fundació i2Cat, C/Gran Capità 2-4, Edifici Nexus I Barcelona, Spain ricardo.torres@i2cat.net 2 Beyond Distance Research Alliance, Attenborough Tower University of Leicester, Leicester, UK palitha.edirisingha@le.ac.uk 3 Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, ...
International Journal of Educational Research, 2005
This paper discusses the impact of the introduction of a virtual learning environment (VLE) on te... more This paper discusses the impact of the introduction of a virtual learning environment (VLE) on teaching practices within a new university in the UK, and explores the factors that have encouraged or, conversely, discouraged, the adoption of the VLE by teaching staff, from the latter's perspective. It is based on findings from the analysis of qualitative interviews with 23 members of academic staff from across four subject areas at Kingston University (KU), conducted as part of a broader research project on the use of VLEs in teaching and learning at KU (2002KU ( -2005. It reports on the areas of teaching that have been most affected by the VLE; details the specific ways in which practice has been transformed by the VLE and describes the nature of the adjustments that staff have had to make; and specifies the factors that have encouraged the adoption of a technology such as a VLE as part of teaching on undergraduate courses. r
Research Papers in Education, 2007
... half year research project conducted at KU on the use of a VLE in teaching and learning ... 2... more ... half year research project conducted at KU on the use of a VLE in teaching and learning ... 2001), who suggests that rather than style determining attitudes towards and use of ICT, learners adapt ... particular approach to learning styles was followed, nor did the study make use of the ...
Educational Research, 2010
Background: In the 1990s, Salmon developed a five-stage model for enabling and scaffolding remote... more Background: In the 1990s, Salmon developed a five-stage model for enabling and scaffolding remote groups to work and learn together using asynchronous bulletin boards. The model has informed online learning and development practice across different levels ...
Networks, 2008
The purpose of this paper is to suggest approaches and guidelines for using Web 2.0 tools and ser... more The purpose of this paper is to suggest approaches and guidelines for using Web 2.0 tools and services for developing personal learning environments (PLEs) to manage formal and informal learning leading towards a lifelong learning path. This paper considers a PLE not as a particular site or tool that contains all the applications and provides access to users, but rather a framework for incorporating Web 2.0 tools and services chosen by the learner for collecting and processing information, connecting people and creating knowledge.
EDEN conference, Pairs, …, 2008
The purpose of this paper is to suggest approaches and guidelines for using Web 2.0 tools and ser... more The purpose of this paper is to suggest approaches and guidelines for using Web 2.0 tools and services for developing personal learning environments (PLEs) to manage formal and informal learning leading towards a lifelong learning path. This paper considers a PLE not as a particular site or tool that contains all the applications and provides access to users, but rather a framework for incorporating Web 2.0 tools and services chosen by the learner for collecting and processing information, connecting people and creating knowledge.
British Journal of Educational Technology, 2009
This paper reports findings of a pilot study that examined the pedagogical potential of Second Li... more This paper reports findings of a pilot study that examined the pedagogical potential of Second Life (SL), a popular three-dimensional multi-user virtual environment (3-D MUVE) developed by the Linden Lab. The study is part of a 1-year research and development project titled ‘Modelling of Secondlife Environments’ (http://www.le.ac.uk/moose) funded by the UK Joint Information Systems Committee. The research question addressed in this paper is: how can learning activities that facilitate social presence and foster socialisation among distance learners for collaborative learning be developed in SL, a 3-D MUVE? The study was carried out at the University of Leicester (UoL) within an undergraduate module on Archaeological Theory, where two tutors and four students took part in four learning activities designed to take place in SL within the UoL Media Zoo island. The learning activities and training in SL were based on Salmon's five-stage model of online learning. Students’ engagement in SL was studied through interviews, observations and records of chat logs. The data analysis offers four key findings in relation to the nature and pattern of in-world ‘socialisation’ and its impact on real-world network building; the pattern of in-world ‘socialisation’ stage in Salmon's 5-stage model; perspectives on students’ progress in-world through the first stage of the model—‘access and motivation’—and perspectives on their entry into, and progress through, the second stage of the model—‘socialisation’—and the role of identity presented through avatars in the process of socialisation. The paper offers implications for research and practice in the light of these findings.