Assessing the Readiness of Tamil Medium LIS Diplomats for Online Learning: A Focus on the Sri Lanka Library Association

The Sri Lanka Library Association (SLLA) is the only national body for Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals in Sri Lanka, and it has recently transitioned its educational programs to an online mode. However, due to the limited studies conducted to measure the consciousness of online courses, this study attempts to measure the perception of online learning among Tamil-medium students enrolled in the Higher Diploma (HDIPLIS) course at SLLA. The objectives were formulated to assess the readiness of Tamil-medium students for online learning by analyzing their satisfaction levels, aspects of the course, teaching patterns, and the challenges they encountered in online learning. A survey research method was employed, and a structured questionnaire was disseminated via Google Forms to all 61 Tamil-medium students enrolled in the HDIPLIS program. The response rate was recorded as 95% (n =58). Data analysis was performed using SPSS, employing the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Rosenthal r-value tests to determine the effect size of the comparison. Accordingly, 70% of students strongly agreed or agreed with online learning, and 89.7% mentioned that they were able to participate conveniently from home. Further, 79.3% ensured the security of the learning, and 75.9% mentioned that it helps to alleviate transportation-related challenges. The readiness for online learning was measured through the devices utilized; 82.8% used a smartphone, while 17.2% used laptops or tablets for online learning. The challenges faced by the students, as reported, included difficulty hearing lectures (74.2%), not easily connecting (63%), poor internet connectivity (63%), and the high cost of required services and equipment (52.1%). Over 50% of students were satisfied with assignment-based evaluation, and (55.2%) preferred the teaching methods. To enhance smooth online learning, the study recommends fostering more interaction between Tamil-medium lecturers and students, and the integration of innovative technologies could improve student engagement and learning outcomes.