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Information and communication technology literacy of pre-service special education teachers in ODL Programmes: a critical examination
Full text linkThis study examines the ICT literacy of pre-service Special Education prospective teachers
enrolled in the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode at Tamil Nadu Open University, India.
A total of 247 out of 370 B.Ed. Special Education trainees participated in the research. Data were
gathered through an online survey and analyzed using descriptive statistical tools such as
percentage analysis, mean, median, standard deviation, and t-test. The results indicate that
approximately half of the participants exhibit an average level of ICT literacy. Interestingly, the
remaining half is equally split between high and low levels of ICT competency. This distribution
highlights a critical gap: nearly one-fourth of the trainees may struggle with basic digital tools and
e-resources, which are essential for effective teaching and learning in inclusive classrooms. Given
the increasing integration of technology in education, especially in special education contexts, these
findings raise important concerns about the readiness of future teachers to leverage ICT in their
professional practice. Teachers with limited ICT skills may find it challenging to plan and deliver
lessons, access digital content, and provide accommodations for diverse learners. To bridge this
gap, it is imperative to implement regular, structured ICT training sessions as part of the ODL
curriculum. Such initiatives would help build essential digital competencies, ensuring that teacher
trainees are better equipped to integrate technology into their teaching and cater to the varied
needs of learners with disabilities. Continuous professional development in ICT can enhance
classroom engagement, improve learning outcomes, and support inclusive education practices
The human and artificial creativity - a comparative study
Full text linkThe progress of human history today is a result of the development of reason and science. This
development is happening very quickly, making the seemingly impossible, possible. Artificial
intelligence (AI) stands as a significant achievement in this trajectory. AI can be defined as amethod
of designing computer programs and inputting them into a computer, through which a machine
is made to think and act. In this advanced technological era, the development of AI has gone
through many stages and is moving on a new path. This growth has inevitably created some ethical
challenges. AI helps machines perform human tasks without human assistance and is increasingly
influencing all fields such as education, business, medicine, entertainment, agriculture,
transportation and spirituality. While AI is bringing about remarkable changes in various sectors,
there is a fear that it might weaken or surpass human creativity. It is this creative ability that
distinguishes humans from other beings. Many criticisms are being raised that AI has taken control
of even that. Although its new creations are accurate and immense, the question arises whether
they exceed the boundaries of traditional or human creativity. This situation, which has impacted
creators, needs to be examined. Therefore, this study is a comparative analysis that critically
examines the definitions of human and artificial creativity and the similarities and differences
between them. It attempts to clarify the distinction between machine-generated artificial creativity
and human creativity, their strengths and weaknesses, and the relevance of the aforementioned
fear
An investigation and analysis of online public access catalogues (Opacs) among the academic staff: a case study of south eastern university of Sri Lanka
Full text linkThis study investigates the utilization, user satisfaction, and challenges associated with Online
Public Access Catalogues (OPACs) among the academic staff of the South Eastern University of
Sri Lanka (SEUSL). The research commenced with a review of relevant primary sources to
establish a solid theoretical foundation. The study population comprised 230 academic staff
members across six faculties and the university library. Using Krejcie and Morgan’s (1970) sample
size determination table, a representative random sample of 144 respondents was selected from
the academic staff. Data were gathered through structured questionnaires, online surveys, and
direct observations, and subsequently analyzed using SPSS Version 30. The findings reveal that
the OPAC system at SEUSL remains underdeveloped and underutilized, with many users unaware
of its full range of functionalities. Academic staff reported dissatisfaction, particularly during the
early implementation stages, citing limited features and low user engagement as key concerns. The
study underscores the need for ongoing staff training, technical enhancements, and the integration
of native language search capabilities to improve the usability and accessibility of the system. The
research offers valuable insights for policymakers and library administrators, advocating the
development of more user-friendly and intuitive OPAC interfaces tailored to the search behaviors
and needs of skilled academic users. The proposed recommendations aim to enhance information
retrieval efficiency and ensure the long-term success of digital library services at SEUS
The role of AI in reforming traditional education: a case study of o/l students at Meeravodai Al-Hidhaya School
Full text linkArtificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly recognized as a transformative force in education,
offering innovative tools to address the limitations of traditional teaching methods. This study
investigates the role of AI in reforming conventional educational practices, with a specific focus
on Ordinary Level (O/L) students in Meeravodai Al - Hidhaya Maha Vidyalaya. Using a case study
approach, the research explores how AI technologies influence learning experiences, engagement
levels, and academic outcomes among a selected group of O/L students within a local school
context. This case study examines the implementation of AI-based interventions within OL
education, identifying their impact on student engagement, performance, and skill development.
Data was collected through a combination of quantitative methods (structured questionnaires) and
qualitative methods (interviews and classroom observations), allowing for a comprehensive
understanding of both measurable impacts and student perceptions. The study examines the use
of AI-based tools such as intelligent tutoring systems, automated assessments, and personalized
learning platforms. Findings reveal that AI integration can significantly enhance individualized
learning, provide real-time feedback, and help students grasp difficult concepts more effectively.
However, challenges such as limited access to digital infrastructure, lack of teacher training in AI
platforms, inadequate facilities and concerns about data privacy also emerged as barriers to
effective implementation. Additionally, the study highlights that while AI tools are promising, they
must be used in a way that supports not replaces the human element of teaching. Teachers play a
crucial role in guiding AI use, adapting content, and providing emotional support, especially for
students preparing for high stakes examinations like the O/Ls. The research concludes with
practical recommendations for schools and policymakers, including the importance of investing in
teacher training, ensuring equitable access to AI tools, and establishing clear guidelines for ethical
AI use in classrooms
Design and development of the 'SHE' mobile application: a comprehensive approach to enhancing women's safety and well-being in public spaces
Full text linkAlarming figures show that a large percentage of women suffer harassment in metropolitan areas,
thus women's safety in public places is still a major worldwide issue. Recent polls in Sri Lanka
show that more than 70% of women experience some kind of public space harassment, therefore
stressing the need of efficient safety measures. The "SHE" mobile app aims to solve this problem
by providing women with quick access to safety elements on their smartphones. To enable quick
reactions in emergencies, the app includes real-time GPS tracking, one-tap SOS notifications, and
ongoing location sharing with trusted contacts. SHE also offers a variety of features meant to
improve personal safety and situational awareness, such as instant incident reporting (by text,
audio, or video), live streaming, a carefully selected map of women-friendly areas, and a danger
zone identification tool. SHE includes health-oriented elements like a safe digital diary, menstrual
cycle tracker, and goal-setting tools to help women even more. SHE was created using a user
centered design method that included input from Sri Lankan women via surveys, focus groups,
and interviews to grasp their particular safety issues. The design and functionality of the app came
from data analysis of these sources. This mix of safety and wellness features provides a complete
platform to empower women's autonomy, confidence, and security in negotiating public spaces
The problems and prospects of tribals in Ooty
Full text linkThe tribal communities of Ooty, nestled in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu, represent a rich cultural
heritage and a unique socio-ecological relationship with their environment. This paper examines
the contemporary problems faced by these indigenous groups—particularly the Todas, Kotas,
Irulas, and Kurumbas—while also exploring the prospects for their socio-economic upliftment.
Despite constitutional protections and welfare schemes, Ooty’s tribal populations continue to
grapple with issues such as land alienation, inadequate access to education and healthcare,
unemployment, cultural erosion, and limited political representation. Environmental degradation
and the expansion of tourism and commercial agriculture have further disrupted traditional
livelihoods, pushing many into precarious labor markets. The study employs a mixed-methods
approach, combining field interviews, government reports, and secondary data to assess the impact
of development policies and grassroots movements. While the challenges are considerable,
emerging opportunities offer cautious optimism. Recent efforts in tribal education, eco-tourism
initiatives, and community-led conservation programs have demonstrated the potential for
sustainable development that respects tribal identity and autonomy. In particular, the revival of
indigenous knowledge systems and crafts has opened new avenues for economic self-reliance and
cultural preservation. The paper advocates for an inclusive development model that integrates
tribal voices into planning and implementation processes. It emphasizes the need for context
specific policy interventions, legal safeguards for tribal land rights, and capacity-building programs
to ensure long-term empowerment. Through this analysis, the study highlights both the urgency
of addressing systemic inequities and the resilience and agency of tribal communities in Ooty
Spatial and temporal patterns of dengue cases in Western Province, Sri Lanka from 2013-2023: a GIS based approach
Full text linkDengue fever is a major global and local public health concern, primarily transmitted by Aedes
aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. As a tropical country, Sri Lanka is currently
experiencing significant impacts from the disease. The simultaneous circulation of all four viral
serotypes (DENV-1, 2, 3, and 4) since 2000 has resulted in a hyperendemic situation in the
country in recent years. The Western Province has consistently been a hotspot for Dengue
outbreaks over the past decade. This study aims to analyze the spatial and temporal patterns
of Dengue cases reported in the Western Province from 2013 to 2023 using Geo spatial
analyses. Weekly Dengue data from Medical Officer of Health (MOH) divisions were used in
this descriptive study. In this study, time series and regression analyses were conducted to
examine the temporal distribution of Dengue cases, while spatial patterns and regional risk
areas were identified using Moran’s I spatial autocorrelation analysis and hotspot mapping
techniques in ArcMap 10.8. Trend analysis was also carried out to recognize the future trend
of Dengue cases at the district level. Findings revealed significant variation in both temporal
and spatial distribution of Dengue cases. Colombo District reported the highest number of
cases, with a consistent pattern of higher incidence in urban areas across all three districts
Colombo, Gampaha, and Kalutara. Moran’s I and Hotspot analysis revealed a clustered case
distribution, especially in areas marked by unplanned urban development, high population
density, and poor waste management. Time series analysis indicated both positive and negative
reporting trends in Colombo and Kalutara MOH divisions. However, it is noteworthy that all
MOH divisions in the Gampaha District demonstrated exclusively positive trends in timely
case reporting. Trend-based projections further suggest the emergence of future hotspots,
particularly in expanding semi- urban regions. The findings underscore the need for targeted
vector control measures, urban planning reforms, and sustained public health interventions to
mitigate the effects of virus transmission in Western Province
An error analysis of the difficulties of using punctuation marks in students’ writing
Full text linkThis study intends to describe the difficulties students face while using punctuation marks in their
writing. Punctuation mark plays an important role in conveying the meaning of a text. It remains
an essential skill for good writing. The purpose of the study is to examine the difficulties of using
punctuation marks and to identify the most common errors the students make while using
punctuation marks. The study is conducted for the first, second, and third-year students: from the
academic years, respectively, who take English as their main subject from the Faculty of Islamic
Studies and the Arabic language. 56 students were taken as samples by using a purposive sampling
technique to conduct the research. In order to analyze the data, an authentic text was distributed
to the students without any punctuation marks, and the data were analyzed manually. A qualitative
textual analysis is used in order to conduct this research. Furthermore, the punctuation marks
focused on in this research are the comma, full stop, exclamation mark, inverted commas, question
marks, apostrophe, and hyphen. As a result of the findings, it reveals that students make errors in
using these punctuation marks. Omission (79%) is the most common type of error the students
make, and 96.64% of the hyphens were due to omitting it in places where it should be placed,
whereas this particular percentage of apostrophes and commas were identified as 75.45% and
64.88%, respectively. Though they are students who take English as their main subject, they still
have issues in using punctuation marks due to their carelessness, lack of attention, and motivation
to mark it correctly. Besides, their lack of understanding of the rules of using punctuation marks
plays a major role in the difficulties of using it
The need for an annotated bibliography on the history of Sri Lankan Muslims: descriptive perspective
Full text linkSri Lankan Muslims are a scattered community with a concentrated majority in the eastern
province. They, too, live in the major cities and villages in the Southern part of the island.
Several books record their arrival and habitation in history. In particular, the Muslim Religious
and Cultural Department has compiled the Sri Lankan Muslim history district-wise. Some
other books have been published by individuals from place to place. However, the history of
Sri Lankan Muslims should be recorded in a separate edition from a new perspective. A holistic
view is also needed about the history of Sri Lankan Muslims. It is not possible to find sufficient
information about the books so that this study will serve as the basis for research on Muslims.
To achieve these goals, the opinions and books that emphasize the need for this study to be
carried out on a descriptive basis are the sources of the study. The sources of study are
interviews and books. To search for historical books of Sri Lankan Muslims without missing
anything. This is the biggest problem in this study. If, as far as possible, the books that tell the
history of Sri Lankan Muslims can be organized and compiled into a proper history, it will
contribute significantly to the existence and peaceful coexistence of Sri Lankan Muslims
isbn
No full textGenetic technology, which involves altering the genetic makeup of organisms to introduce
desirable traits, has become a pivotal tool in modern agriculture. In the context of vegetable
cultivation, this technology enables the production of crops such as onions, tomatoes, carrots,
potatoes, pumpkins, and beets with improved characteristics. The Eravur region in Sri Lanka’s
Batticaloa district is particularly well-suited for vegetable farming due to its favourable climate,
fertile land, and strategic connectivity via the east-west Eravur railway line. This study aims to: (a)
Examine the transformations in vegetable cultivation brought about by the adoption of genetic
technology in Eravur; (b) Identify the constraints faced by farmers in implementing these
technologies. (c) Propose alternative strategies and action plans to overcome existing barriers. The
research methodology combines primary data collected through discussions and observations with
secondary data from published sources, employing both structured and informal techniques,
including statistical analysis and interviews. The findings highlight the benefits of genetic
technology, such as accelerated crop growth, increased yields, enhanced climate resilience, and
reduced disease incidence. However, the study also identifies significant environmental, social, and
economic challenges that hinder the widespread adoption of these technologies.
Recommendations include the introduction of awareness programs, policy interventions, and
alternative approaches to address these barriers and support sustainable development in vegetable
cultivation