kanchana Menikdiwela | University of Peradeniya (original) (raw)

Papers by kanchana Menikdiwela

Research paper thumbnail of Facilitating individuals with specific learning disorders in Sri Lanka and Czech Republic

Individuals with specific learning disorders often leave school with fewer qualifications and mos... more Individuals with specific learning disorders often leave school with fewer qualifications and mostly become unemployed or economically inactive, if they are not sufficiently supported. In addition, they face numerous obstacles and challenges in their life due to their disability. Therefore, it is important to provide appropriate support to overcome their barriers in learning and to succeed in their lives. There is no sufficient expertise and services currently available in Sri Lanka to support individuals with specific learning disabilities effectively. Efforts to support the education of individuals with specific learning disabilities are underlined in the Czech Education Act and it can be identified that there are many effective services and facilities available for students with learning disabilities in the Czech Republic, compared to Sri Lanka. Consequently, this review article attempts to examine the health and special educational facilities and supportive services provided for...

Research paper thumbnail of Student Misbehavior: An Exploratory Study Based on Sri Lankan Secondary School Teachers' Perceptions

iiste -Journal of Education and Practice, 2020

Student misbehavior is one of the most common problems affecting schools around the world. The ma... more Student misbehavior is one of the most common problems affecting schools around the world. The main objectives of this study were to identify common and unacceptable misbehaviors of secondary school students and the reasons behind student misbehaviors from Sri Lankan teachers' point of view. A qualitative research study was conducted with twelve Sri Lankan secondary school teachers. The findings of the research study revealed that current secondary school students do not respect teachers, show more self-centered behaviors and engage in more problematic behaviors in school which are harmful for themselves as well as for the others, compared to the students that the teachers have taught and been with 10-15 years ago. A list of 17 student classroom misbehaviors and a list of 07 school based student misbehaviors were generated. The highly reported student classroom misbehaviors were disrespecting teachers, engaging in irrelevant tasks during lessons and verbal aggression. The highly reported school based misbehaviors were disrespecting school authority figures, unnecessary involvement with dangerous drugs and developing and supporting inappropriate and harmful relationships. The participants' responses on the reasons behind student misbehavior were simplified into five main sources: family, education system, teachers, students and society. The findings of the study will be useful to improve the Sri Lankan education system to create well behaving individuals to the society, as so far there has not been sufficient studies addressing this issue. The research study reveals that there is a great need for making some changes in the current education system to change the stressful atmosphere in schools and successfully promote students' physical, cognitive, personal, social, emotional, moral and spiritual development to reduce and prevent negative behavioral issues of students.

Research paper thumbnail of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Through Sri Lankan Primary School Teachers' Eyes

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has been identified as one of the most common beh... more Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has been identified as one of the most common behavioral disorders in childhood. The main objective of this study was analyzing the current situation of supporting children with ADHD in mainstream schools in Sri Lanka; especially how Sri Lankan primary school teachers support such children in overcoming their barriers to learning, behavior, and social relationships. A qualitative research study was conducted with ten Sri Lankan primary school teachers.The main findings of the study showed that all the primary school teachers who took part in the study did not have a satisfactory knowledge and training on educating children with ADHD traits. They currently face many difficulties when teaching children with ADHD traits in the mainstream classroom due to not having enough resources, support and guidance from relevant authorities. The finding of the study will be useful to improve or develop the education system of ADHD children in Sri Lanka, since no research study has been conducted so far regarding this topic. The research study reveals that the need for raising awareness among Sri Lankan primary school teachers on ADHD and providing enough facilities for mainstream schools so that teachers can provide a proper education for such children.

Research paper thumbnail of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Through Sri Lankan Primary School Teachers' Eyes

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has been identified as one of the most common beh... more Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has been identified as one of the most common behavioral disorders in childhood. The main objective of this study was analyzing the current situation of supporting children with ADHD in mainstream schools in Sri Lanka; especially how Sri Lankan primary school teachers support such children in overcoming their barriers to learning, behavior, and social relationships. A qualitative research study was conducted with ten Sri Lankan primary school teachers.The main findings of the study showed that all the primary school teachers who took part in the study did not have a satisfactory knowledge and training on educating children with ADHD traits. They currently face many difficulties when teaching children with ADHD traits in the mainstream classroom due to not having enough resources, support and guidance from relevant authorities. The finding of the study will be useful to improve or develop the education system of ADHD children in Sri Lanka, since no research study has been conducted so far regarding this topic. The research study reveals that the need for raising awareness among Sri Lankan primary school teachers on ADHD and providing enough facilities for mainstream schools so that teachers can provide a proper education for such children.

Research paper thumbnail of Facilitating individuals with specific learning disorders in Sri Lanka and Czech Republic

Individuals with specific learning disorders often leave school with fewer qualifications and mos... more Individuals with specific learning disorders often leave school with fewer qualifications and mostly become unemployed or economically inactive, if they are not sufficiently supported. In addition, they face numerous obstacles and challenges in their life due to their disability. Therefore, it is important to provide appropriate support to overcome their barriers in learning and to succeed in their lives. There is no sufficient expertise and services currently available in Sri Lanka to support individuals with specific learning disabilities effectively. Efforts to support the education of individuals with specific learning disabilities are underlined in the Czech Education Act and it can be identified that there are many effective services and facilities available for students with learning disabilities in the Czech Republic, compared to Sri Lanka. Consequently, this review article attempts to examine the health and special educational facilities and supportive services provided for...

Research paper thumbnail of Student Misbehavior: An Exploratory Study Based on Sri Lankan Secondary School Teachers' Perceptions

iiste -Journal of Education and Practice, 2020

Student misbehavior is one of the most common problems affecting schools around the world. The ma... more Student misbehavior is one of the most common problems affecting schools around the world. The main objectives of this study were to identify common and unacceptable misbehaviors of secondary school students and the reasons behind student misbehaviors from Sri Lankan teachers' point of view. A qualitative research study was conducted with twelve Sri Lankan secondary school teachers. The findings of the research study revealed that current secondary school students do not respect teachers, show more self-centered behaviors and engage in more problematic behaviors in school which are harmful for themselves as well as for the others, compared to the students that the teachers have taught and been with 10-15 years ago. A list of 17 student classroom misbehaviors and a list of 07 school based student misbehaviors were generated. The highly reported student classroom misbehaviors were disrespecting teachers, engaging in irrelevant tasks during lessons and verbal aggression. The highly reported school based misbehaviors were disrespecting school authority figures, unnecessary involvement with dangerous drugs and developing and supporting inappropriate and harmful relationships. The participants' responses on the reasons behind student misbehavior were simplified into five main sources: family, education system, teachers, students and society. The findings of the study will be useful to improve the Sri Lankan education system to create well behaving individuals to the society, as so far there has not been sufficient studies addressing this issue. The research study reveals that there is a great need for making some changes in the current education system to change the stressful atmosphere in schools and successfully promote students' physical, cognitive, personal, social, emotional, moral and spiritual development to reduce and prevent negative behavioral issues of students.

Research paper thumbnail of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Through Sri Lankan Primary School Teachers' Eyes

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has been identified as one of the most common beh... more Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has been identified as one of the most common behavioral disorders in childhood. The main objective of this study was analyzing the current situation of supporting children with ADHD in mainstream schools in Sri Lanka; especially how Sri Lankan primary school teachers support such children in overcoming their barriers to learning, behavior, and social relationships. A qualitative research study was conducted with ten Sri Lankan primary school teachers.The main findings of the study showed that all the primary school teachers who took part in the study did not have a satisfactory knowledge and training on educating children with ADHD traits. They currently face many difficulties when teaching children with ADHD traits in the mainstream classroom due to not having enough resources, support and guidance from relevant authorities. The finding of the study will be useful to improve or develop the education system of ADHD children in Sri Lanka, since no research study has been conducted so far regarding this topic. The research study reveals that the need for raising awareness among Sri Lankan primary school teachers on ADHD and providing enough facilities for mainstream schools so that teachers can provide a proper education for such children.

Research paper thumbnail of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Through Sri Lankan Primary School Teachers' Eyes

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has been identified as one of the most common beh... more Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has been identified as one of the most common behavioral disorders in childhood. The main objective of this study was analyzing the current situation of supporting children with ADHD in mainstream schools in Sri Lanka; especially how Sri Lankan primary school teachers support such children in overcoming their barriers to learning, behavior, and social relationships. A qualitative research study was conducted with ten Sri Lankan primary school teachers.The main findings of the study showed that all the primary school teachers who took part in the study did not have a satisfactory knowledge and training on educating children with ADHD traits. They currently face many difficulties when teaching children with ADHD traits in the mainstream classroom due to not having enough resources, support and guidance from relevant authorities. The finding of the study will be useful to improve or develop the education system of ADHD children in Sri Lanka, since no research study has been conducted so far regarding this topic. The research study reveals that the need for raising awareness among Sri Lankan primary school teachers on ADHD and providing enough facilities for mainstream schools so that teachers can provide a proper education for such children.