Undergraduates’ Perception on E-learning Readiness during COVID-19: A case of a Selected University in Sri Lanka

Abstract

E-learning involves the use of technological advances, tools and digital devices for teaching and learning. In a university context this method of education involves training, delivering and sharing knowledge and ideas. In an extreme situation where teacher and student cannot physically meet, such as the presence of COVID 19 pandemic, the online education is paramount to continue the education. It is crucial to understand the e-learning readiness of users‟/learners‟ before implementing the e-learning mode. This study involves identifying the readiness of the Sri Lankan undergraduates towards e-learning. Accordingly, this paper mainly explores on three aspects such as perceived self-efficacy, perceived usefulness and technological aspect in relation to e-learning readiness of undergraduates in Sri Lanka and the advantages and disadvantages of e-learning system as per students‟ perspective. The survey was carried out through an online questionnaire and was distributed among all the undergraduates in a selected department of one of the universities in Sri Lanka. Altogether 81% of the students responded to the survey out of 224 undergraduates of the department. The analysis explored with descriptive statistics. Overall results of the study indicate that the readiness of students for e-learning activities is positive and above the average in terms of perceived self-efficacy, perceived usefulness and technological aspects. It is recommended to implement a hybrid method according to the nature of the different degree programmes.