Use of Distance Learning Technologies Efficiently in a Crisis/Pandemic Situation

Abstract

Due to the outbreak of the COVID19 pandemic situation in the world distance learning is playing a huge role in the education sector. Several shortcomings could be seen in this method since it was started as an alternative. This survey involved both students and teachers in Sri Lanka. Altogether the survey was passed to 300 individuals and 234 successful responses were grabbed within a week. The survey helped to identify the shortcomings and barriers to effectively conduct distance learning in Sri Lanka. The lack of enough advisors online, marketing advantages, lack of physical facilities to go online for the students and teacher, non-readiness of teachers and parents for the change etc. The paper allows to sort out the identified problem and form a set of guidelines on how to use distance learning hereafter in a pandemic/crisis by overcoming the shortcomings.