STUDENT TEACHERS’ PERCEPTIONS ON THE INTERACTIVE LEARNING SESSIONS CONDUCTED VIA ZOOM

Abstract

This study investigated the perception of student teachers enrolled in the BEd Honours in Special Needs Education Degree Program on Interactive Learning Sessions conducted via Zoom technology within the Open University of Sri Lanka. This study employed a survey design with a mixed-methods approach to gather insights from student teachers at Levels 5 and 6 of the BEd(Hons)SNE enrolled in the 2023/2024 academic year. Findings indicate that these Sessions are regularly conducted, often lasting 2-3 hours, and incorporate a mix of group work, lectures, and practical sessions, supported by various digital tools like PowerPoint and breakout rooms. Overall, the majority of student teachers reported a positive experience, highlighting convenience, reduced travel costs, and flexibility as key advantages. A high satisfaction with teacher-student interaction and perceived helpfulness in achieving learning objectives was also noted. However, a significant portion of student teachers faced challenges, primarily with connectivity issues, technical glitches, and continuously engaging with the sessions. Student teachers’ suggestions for enhancing the quality of Zoom-based Interactive Learning Sessions include incorporating more interactive tools, providing dedicated technical support, sharing session recordings, implementing regular teacher training, encouraging camera use and active participation, and collecting continuous feedback. The study concludes that while the Zoom offers an effective and accessible learning modality for BEd(Hons) SNE student teachers, further improvements are necessary to address existing challenges and maximize its potential for all learners.