Postgraduate Students’ Experience with Zoom-Based Learning: Focus on Affordability, Access, Teaching Quality, and Assessment
Authors
Fareed Mohamed Nawastheen
Professor in Secondary & Tertiary Education, Department of Secondary & Tertiary Education, Faculty of Education, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Nawala, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9538-7372
Kanapathippillai Ketheeswaran
Senior Lecturer Grade - II
Department of Special Needs Education, Faculty of Education, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Nawala, Sri Lanka
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9902-1204
S.A.S. Kausalya Perera
Senior Lecturer
Department of Secondary & Tertiary Education, Faculty of Education, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Nawala, Sri Lanka.
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7272-4129
Shajehan Shifaan
Senior Lectirer,
Department of Teacher Education,
The National Institute of Education,
Maharagama,
Sri Lanka.
With the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Sri Lankan universities turned to video conferencing to maintain academic activities, with Zoom being a popular choice. This study explores postgraduate students' experiences in two Master of Education (M.Ed.) programmes at a Sri Lankan university regarding Zoom-based online learning. It investigates student perceptions across four key areas: affordability, access and instructor support, quality of teaching, and effectiveness and fairness of assessments. A survey approach was used, with a researcher-developed questionnaire administered online to 189 students studying Sinhala, Tamil, and English. The questionnaire included close-ended questions, Likert-scale items, and open-ended questions, with data analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings indicate that students generally found Zoom-based instruction accessible and effective. However, areas for improvement were identified, such as enhanced instructor support, a more interactive learning environment, and comprehensive course coverage. Concerns also emerged about instructor support during assessments, clarity of formats, and time allocation. Qualitative data highlighted issues with session length, technology affordability, and a preference for diverse assessment methods. The study provides insights for enhancing M.Ed. programmes conducted online. Recommendations include faculty capacity development in online teaching, promoting the affordability of Zoom-based learning, and refining assessment practices. Addressing these areas and seeking student feedback can help institutions create high-quality, engaging, accessible, and effective Zoom-based programmes.Keywords: Online teaching and assessment, Online learning, Sri Lankan universities, Student experience, Zoom-based learningReferencesAreșan, D., & Țîru, L. G. (2022). 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Author Biographies
Fareed Mohamed Nawastheen, Professor in Secondary & Tertiary Education, Department of Secondary & Tertiary Education, Faculty of Education, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Nawala, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
Professor. (Dr) F.M.NawastheenDepartment of Secondary and Tertiary Education, Faculty of Education, Open University of Sri LankaHailing from the vibrant city of Jaffna, Sri Lanka, my passion for education began at the prestigious Jaffna Osmania College. This experience laid the foundation for a lifelong journey in the pursuit and dissemination of knowledge. My academic endeavors continued at the renowned University of Peradeniya, where I earned my bachelor's degree. Driven by a desire to delve deeper into the field of education, I embarked on an enriching experience at Universiti Putra Malaysia, obtaining a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction in 2002. Furthering my expertise, I completed doctoral studies in Curriculum and Pedagogy at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in 2014.My scholarly interests lie in the dynamic fields of Curriculum Studies, Teacher Education, and Online Education. I am committed to contributing to these areas through research, scholarship, and innovative teaching practices.
Kanapathippillai Ketheeswaran, Senior Lecturer Grade - II
Department of Special Needs Education, Faculty of Education, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Nawala, Sri Lanka
K. Ketheeswaran: K. Ketheeswaran's educational journey began at T/Paddithidal Maha Viddiyalayam, Muthur Trincomalee, where he received his primary education. He then continued his secondary studies at T/St. Francis Xavier Maha Viddiyalayam, Trincomalee. Following his G.C.E O/L examinations, he pursued his GCE Advanced Level studies at K/AK/Sri Ramakrishna National College. Demonstrating academic achievement, Ketheeswaran secured admission to the Eastern University of Sri Lanka in 2004. He graduated with a first-class Bachelor of Education Honours Degree. Ketheeswaran's dedication to education is evident in his professional trajectory. He returned to his alma mater, the Eastern University of Sri Lanka, serving as a Temporary Lecturer from 2011 to 2013. In 2013, he joined the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) as a permanent academic. Since then, he has held the position of Senior Lecturer in the Department of Special Needs Education, Faculty of Education, OUSL, Nawala, Nugegoda.Committed to lifelong learning, Ketheeswaran furthered his qualifications by earning a Master of Education Degree from OUSL and a Master of Philosophy in Education from the University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka.
S.A.S. Kausalya Perera, Senior Lecturer
Department of Secondary & Tertiary Education, Faculty of Education, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Nawala, Sri Lanka.
Kaushalya Perera has been serving the Open University of Sri Lanka as a Lecturer in Secondary and Tertiary Education since 2014 where she teaches educational psychology and educational technology in the study programmes of Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Arts in English and English Language Teaching, Postgraduate Diploma in Education and Master of Education. Her research mainly focuses on online learning, learner autonomy and teacher development from a psychological perspective. She writes and teaches both in English and Sinhala.
Shajehan Shifaan, Senior Lectirer,
Department of Teacher Education,
The National Institute of Education,
Maharagama,
Sri Lanka.
Mr. Shajehan Shifaan working as a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Teacher Education, National Institute of Education Sri Lanka. His interested filed of studies are Teacher Education, Educational Managemnt and Online Teaching.
