| The result of the survey conducted at Matara Regional Centre Computer Lab (MRCCL) to assess purpose of using online learning resources (OLR), pattern of using OLR, to identify special need of the MRC students, use of web base library resources and barriers faced when using OLR by distance learners, are reported here. Aim of the survey was to understand the strength and weaknesses of the online services. The pattern of information seeking behavior from the Internet by the MRC distance learners are also included in the article.
The key finding is that highest percentage of computer lab users are from faculty of engineering. The main reason for using the lab was to access to Internet to download information to write assignments and project reports. The most favorite search engine of the MRC distance learners is Google.
The main technical barrier to the effective use of OLR by the students included slow internet while main Institutional barrier was non availability of enough computers at MRCCL.
The study recommends user training to popularize OLR, adequate infrastructure facilities; relevant recommended OLR on the library web, and to provide user satisfied online resources to distance learners. |