The Future Prospects of E-learning: The View of the Apex Body of Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in higher education has created totally a new environment which is fundamentally different from the traditional learning methods. The objectives of the study were to get the view of the University Grants Commission (UGC) about e-learning system and to investigate the possibilities of formalizing its implementation in the universities in future. As it is an exploratory study, the case study method was deemed appropriate. The result of the study shows that the UGC is favorable on the implementation of a campus-wide e-learning system in all universities. Though there is no formal policy on the embarkation of e-learning mode so far, it encourages the universities to adopt the system. This paper has also highlighted the possible areas for the early implementation of the e-learning mode and other requirements that should be considered for the future adoption of e-learning system.