Trainee perception of e-learning in software industry in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The e- learning technology which is at growth stage in Sri Lanka is used in Software Industry than in any other Industry in the country. Is e- learning more effective is a question that is in the minds of anybody who wishes to switch to e- learning in the Industry. It is also mandatory that trainers in all companies in every industry needs to know approach that needs to be taken when training their staff through e- learning. In above context the objectives of this research was to gain an insight of the trainees perception of e- learning in the software industry in Sri Lanka and to find out whether factors found important by the trainees were incorporated in the approaches used by companies when designing e- learning systems. The findings of this research should help the trainers to develop effective training programs through e -learning. In this research we try to establish whether trainee perception of e- learning is more positive in Software Industry in Sri Lanka or not. A questionnaire was used to find out the perception of elearning from the learners in the software industry. Interviews were carried out to find out whether the approaches used by four major software companies in Sri Lanka in designing e- learning systems to train their staff considered the factors found important by trainees in e- learning. The parameters along which to find out trainee perception of elearning were found from the literature and these were categorized under the dimensions of quality, cost and time. The study proved that the trainees by far had a positive perception on e- learning. From the interviews it was evident that the Sri Lankan software companies did not have a comprehensively planned approach to the design of the eleaining systems and hence did not consider majority of factors that the trainees found important in e- learning. Most companies have relied on groups of individuals to develop the systems according to their visions and talents