PCT – Southern Province

C-DELTA Implementation for Teachers and Students at the Secondary School Level in Sri Lanka – Phase 3

Final Report

Province: Southern Province.
School : G/Rajapaksha College (National School)
Name of the Coordinating Teacher (PCT) : B.R.G.M.N. Shantha

DECLARATION:

I, Ms./Mr B.R.G.M.N. SHANTHA, of G/Rajapaksha College declare that I have obtained the permission from the Principal of the school, and informed consent of all participants included in this report to use the photographs, audio recordings, video recordings, quotes, or any other artefact included in my Final Report submitted to the Open University of Sri Lanka, in relation to the C-DELTA Project implementation in schools. 

B.R.G.M.N. Shantha 15/11/2022

Introduction:

Sri Lanka benefited significantly from the C-DELTA initiative in order to enter the innovative “ICT” world. As a commonwealth country, we are tremendously fortunate to have the C-DELTA program in our country. This project provided the most aid in enhancing the online learning environment. Considering the current situation in Sri Lanka, the C-DELTA program’s actions are particularly praiseworthy. Through the establishment of this program, the Open University of Sri Lanka has provided teachers and students at rural colleges with
access to digital learning platforms. Therefore, this program can undoubtedly be provided as a medium for numerous ICT applications.

As a participant in Phase-1 of the C-DELTA program, I feel myself fortunate to be leading my province during Phase-3. Due to the current circumstances in Sri Lanka and a lack of attention among STS, the number of SCTs was decreased from five to three in the end.

Activities Planned and Conducted:

Activity Plan for the Implementation of C-DELTA at Schools’ Phase III in Southern Province

Usage of C-DELTA by Staff and Students:

In the Southern province, I have supervised four school coordinators (SCTs), including the coordinator named below.

Mrs. S.N.N. Tharanganee successfully completed the C-DELTA project at the G/ Sir Arthur C. Clarke Model School in the Galle District.

Activity	No of students
Registered Students	07
Students who have done pre-test	05
Students who have done modules	02
Students who have done post-test	01
The students who got the certificates	05

Figure 2

Figure 3

School Level Integration of C-DELTA with Subjects/Lessons:

Each of these details is based on information supplied by the school coordinators (SCTs) who handled the project. Students were able to get a good understanding of internet usage and how to run an LMS platform as a result of this program.

The school coordinators are pleased that despite many obstacles, five out of seven students were able to get certificates.  In the future, the school coordinators expect that more students will participate in this program.

Special Activities/Events/Projects Conducted in Relation to C-DELTA:

• I have notified the SCTs of my former involvement with the C-DELTA program.
• In addition, a comprehensive review of the C-DELTA modules and their content was supplied to them.
• The pre-test and post-test frameworks of the C-DELTA project, as well as the C-DELTA activity features, have been discussed with participants.
• In addition, SCTs disseminated information via WhatsApp and Zoom chat.
• Provided technical support for SCTs’ student login and registration issues.
• Communicated with SCTs through phone calls, emails, and text messages throughout the course.

Effects/Impacts of C-DELTA:

• According to SCT, I have observed that students in the Southern Province who preferred using computers have gathered around this program.
• Students are increasingly utilizing their digital skills.
• This project provides digital platforms to students.
• Through this program, both students and teachers were aware of the availability of online tools and internet educational resources.
• Students began conducting keyword searches for terms in the C-DELTA modules using Google.

• Lastly, a majority of students had a good awareness of online safety and what is and is not acceptable when using the Internet.
• Because of the C-DELTA program, my English language has improved, which has greatly impacted my knowledge growth.
• Students were also offered the opportunity to take their first online exam as part of this programme.

Challenges Faced:

Numerous barriers hindered my SCTs’ school implementation and coordination.

• The unexpected absence of several students from the program caused a significant lot of failure. Occasionally, it was difficult to achieve this program’s objectives because certain students lacked the enthusiasm.
• The present situation and past Covid-19 epidemic in Sri Lanka have had a substantial impact on the continuation of C-DELTA program.
• Four SCTs initially participated in the C-DELTA program, but towards the end, only one remained. Initially, there were four SCTs; some were granted permission to manage the program by the Principal, while others led the orientation program. However, finally only one SCT successfully completed the program.
• Insufficient infrastructure to implement the C-DELTA program in some schools was a challenge (Example: lack of internet facilities, computers etc.)

Future Plans:

I intend to promote C-DELTA in the following ways in the future:

• In an effort to improve students’ ICT knowledge, our school intends to form an ICT club.
• The creation of workshops to educate teachers on the C-DELTA program.
• Promoting student enrolment in ICT courses.
• Planning a C-DELTA awareness session for other ICT educators at the zonal level.
• To help my students become more efficient with digital learning, I intend to present them with more practical material based on activities.
• I would like to continue working with the C-DELTA program as a leader.

An Overall Reflection:

When I began the third phase of the C-DELTA program, everything felt fresh and interesting. It was highly advantageous for me to participate in the first phase of the C-DELTA program as an SCT, before the OUSL suggested that I attend the third phase as a PCT.

Due to the current situation in Sri Lanka and the school’s lack of infrastructure, the space I had to guide the SCTs and the students was insufficient to properly complete the program as I had anticipated. Here, I had to face many obstacles. But I prioritized achieving the objectives of this specific program.

I am pleased to say that only one SCT was able to effectively complete this program with students even under these challenging conditions.

In addition, I intend to use the C-DELTA Platform in order to assist and motivate both teachers and students.

Annexures: