Keywords
online pre-submission presentation
research project
Abstract
The main purpose of the study was to investigate the determinants of the learner overall satisfaction towards online pre-submission progress presentation for the research project in BMS (Hons) Degree Program. With Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, learners are facing challenging situations to participate in the pre-submission progress presentation physically. In order to cope up with challenge during the pandemic situation, Faculty of Management Studies, the Open University of Sri Lanka decided to conduct a pre- submission progress presentation through the online mode. This was the first-ever experience of conducting an online pre-submission progress presentation for the subject of research project. The study was used quantitative, survey approach. An online structured questionnaire was used to conduct the survey. The research instrument was designed with six dimensions identified based on unified theory of acceptance and use of technology and its extension to the context of conventional university setup in Sri Lanka namely: performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, hedonic motivation, internet experience, facilitating condition. The questionnaire was transformed to a Google form and the link was emailed to 289 participants of the pre- submission progress presentation for research project in BMS (Hons) Degree Program. However, 130 responses were received. First, the reliability and the validity of the instrument were ensured. Then, Pearson correlation and the multiple regression analysis were employed for data analysis. The results revealed that all the determinants have a significant positive association with learner overall satisfaction on online pre- submission progress presentation of research project. Further, performance expectancy is the significant determinant of the learner overall satisfaction while effort expectancy, internet experience and the facilitation condition are also positive significant determinants of learner overall satisfaction. However, social influence ant hedonic motivation are insignificant factors for the learner overall satisfaction of the pre-submission progress presentation of research project. Further , as suggested by the analysis, although it was the first ‘online’ presentation experience for most of the respondents, their level of satisfaction in online pre- submission progress presentation was above par. The study further revealed that, learner perceives higher benefits to be drawn from online pre- submission progress presentations and they find this more convenient and easier. Hence, it is implied that if the intention is to enhance the learner satisfaction of studying the research project, the educators have the possibility of doing so, by improving the above stated aspects. By providing the students with proper guidance, knowledge, necessary resources, assistance, more interactive online sessions, better internet access and necessary infrastructure, students will get more benefits which will ultimately make them satisfied. There is further implication to education policy makers as learners still seek more cognitive aspects and the facility aspects in Sri Lanka. Thus, It could also be noted that better internet experience can result in higher learner satisfaction, signaling the Internet Service Providers and government authorities to provide high quality Island-wide internet coverage and necessary infrastructure, which is a crucial and timely requirement.