Contribution to research when engineering is taught through ODL: A Sri Lankan case study

Abstract

This paper is based on a study that investigated a general conception that academics and students of engineering in ODL institutions conduct less research compared to those teaching and learning in conventional institutions of higher learning. The study first observed the level of research conducted by Sri Lankan researchers, and compared it to similar activities carried out in neighbouring countries. Subsequently, attention was focused on the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL), which is the pioneer ODL institution in Sri Lanka. It closely observed the research carried out at OUSL over the last few years and made comparisons between different disciplines.

A tracer study was carried out to identify the research activities at the Faculty of Engineering Technology over the years and compare them with the research done at other OUSL faculties. It was evident from this study that the number of research papers presented at conferences and journal articles generated by the Faculty of Engineering Technology was low compared to the number produced by the other three faculties in the university. The study revealed some interesting reasons for the low level of engineering-based research output when engineering is taught through ODL.

Citation

Weerasekera, K.S. (2012), "Contribution to research when engineering is taught through ODL: A Sri Lankan case study", Asian Association of Open Universities Journal, Vol. 7 No. 1, pp. 87-96. https://doi.org/10.1108/AAOUJ-07-01-2012-B008