Dr.(Mrs.) D.V.M. De Silva – OUSL :: The Open University of Sri Lanka

Dean/ Faculty of Education; Senior Lecturer Grade I

BSc (OUSL), PGDE (Merit) OUSL, MEd OUSL, PhD (UOC)

Department of Secondary and Tertiary Education
Education

RG GS

Contact:

Colombo,

Office: 0112881494, Ext: 494 Mobile: 0718414494

E-mail: deanedu@ou.ac.lk; dvsil@ou.ac.lk

Dr. (Mrs.) Vajira Manjarie De Silva is the Dean of the Faculty of Education of the Open University of Sri Lanka. She is a senior lecturer in the Department of Secondary and Tertiary Education Faculty of Education. Dr. (Mrs.) De Silva holds a Degree of Bachelor of Science from the Open University of Sri Lanka in 1994. She obtained a Post Graduate Diploma in Education from the same university with a merit pass in 1996. She received her Master’s Degree in Education from the Open University of Sri Lanka in 2008. She undertook her doctoral studies at the University of Colombo and received her Doctor of Education degree in 2018. Her areas of expertise include Educational Psychology and Educational Technology.

Last Updated on 4 months

Areas of Specialization:

Education

Research interests:

Educational Psychology, Educational Technology, Guidance and Counselling in Education

Affiliations:

President of the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of
Education (SLAAED)-[October 2022-September 2024]
Member- Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science
(SLASS)
Member of the Science Education Committee of SLAAS, for the
year 2019
Member of the Council of Management of the National Centre for
Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences (NCAS)
Member of the Board of Management of the National Education
Research and Evaluation Centre (NEREC)

Contributions:

National contribution /Services rendered to other Institutions/Seminars participated in other Institutions
• Reviewer of International Conference on ‘Social and Cultural Nexus of S&T Development’ (2019)
which is organizing by The National Science Foundation, Sri Lanka
• Member of the interview team for enrolling the students for Higher Diploma in Drama and
Theatre conducted by the Tower Hall Theatre Foundation (2017-2020)
• Member of the panel of setters of science subject of G.C.E. (O/L) Examination 2014
• Marking examiner for evaluating Masters Dissertations and Ph.D. thesis of Faculty of
Education, University of Colombo
• Represent the Faculty Quality Assurance Cell of the Faculty of Education at the International
Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE) 15th Biennial Conference
2019.
• Education Resource person of the Third-Party Validation conducted for AHEAD (Introduction of
the Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development Operations to Universities and
Higher Education Institutions.)
• Secondary Education Sector Improvement Programme- SESIP
Verification of DLIs -2021
worked as the Consultant for verification of DLI 7- All Key Sector Indicators including sex-
disaggregated data from MoE, NIE and DoE made publicity available on the new NEMIS website and
published as annual sector performance reports.
• Third Party Validation (TPV) of achievements of activities/programmes related to Disbursement
Linked Indicators (DLIs) in Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development Operation
(AHEAD)- Research assistant
• Team Member of the verification study on DLI 9 (Expanded School Health and Nutrition Programme

Developed and Implemented and Results Achieved) of the School Health and Nutrition Programme

Faculty Level Contribution
• Associate Editor of the Journal of Innovative Practices in Education (JIPE)
• Member of the SER (Self-Evaluation Report) writing team of Bachelor of
Education (Drama and Theatre) Degree Programme
• Contributed for the preparing evidence files for the Programme Review of
Bachelor of Education Honours in Drama and Theatre and Bachelor of Education
Honours in Natural Sciences Degree Programmes as the Programme coordinator.(2017-2018)
• Contributed as a team member for preparing action plan of the Bachelor of
Education Honours in Drama and Theatre and Bachelor of Education Honours in
Natural Sciences Degree Programmes for the period from 2018 to 2022 for the
implementation of the recommendations in the review report.(2019)
• Member of the sub-committee which was appointed at the 188th Faculty Board
Meeting to review the proposal presented by the National Youth Services
Council seeking an opportunity for their students to follow the Bachelor of
Education Honours in Drama and Theatre Degree Programme offered by The
Department of Secondary and Tertiary Education of the Faculty of Education.
• Chairperson of the Faculty Quality Assurance Unit (FQAC) of the Faculty of
Education, Open University.(2017-2022)
• Visiting lecturer of Lincoln University for the Bachelor of Psychology programme- Educational Psychology course-2022-2023
• Visiting Lecturer of the Department of Chemistry of the University of Colombo for the Foundations of Science Education course 2020-2024
• Resource person to develop the syllabus of Psychology of Education for Pre-Service Curriculum Development for National College of Education on Technology under KOICA project- 2024
• Member of the Sub Committee appointed to develop the curriculum of Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree programs for Science and Mathematics disciplines under the Faculty of Education/ Faculty of Arts- 2023-2024

Session Chair

Session chair at the International Conference on Future of Education 2018 “Education at Reach”, Colombo, Sri Lanka (26th-27th June2018)
Session chair at the online parallel session on the theme of Learner engagement and motivation of AAOU 2021 (Annual conference of the Asian Association of Open Universities)

Reviewing research papers

Online Course Material Development:

Bachelor of Education Honours in Primary Education- EPU3234-Curriculum studies and Practicum- Health Nutrition and Safety Measures- Developed Online course (Supplemental)
Master of Teacher Education (MTE)- STP9540- (Teacher educator as a teaching learning specialist) – Online course development team member
Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE)- STP8404 (Educational Technology)-Foundations- Online course development team member
Master of Education (M.Ed)- STP9619- Guidance & Counselling in Education-Developed the Blended online course

Committee Faculty/University Level

Faculty representative to the Senate Sub-committee on Learner Support
Faculty representative to the Inter-Faculty committee meeting of Environmental studies unit- M.Sc in Disaster Management
Department coordinator of Operations Committee meeting of the Industry Liaison Center (ILC-OUSL)
Faculty coordinator of Internal Quality Assurance Unit. (IQAU)
Member of the organizing committee – Thirasara Yugayaka Haritha Udanaya
Exhibition, at the B.M.I.C.H. on 31 st March-4 th April 2017 (Facilitated by the Presidential Secretariat)
Member of the main organizing committee of OURS (Open University Research Sessions) – 2019, 2020
Member of the main organizing committee of OURS (Open University Research Sessions) 2021 and the Theme Convener-Education
Member of the main organizing committee of iOURS (International Open University Research Sessions) 2022 and the Theme Convener-Education
Member of the steering committee of SER-APQL (APQN Quality Label as Regional/International Accreditation of Internationalization) preparation
Member-Faculty of Education research committee
Member-Faculty of Education board meetings
Member of the committee appointed for preliminary Investigation on violation of student discipline
Scientific committee member- The Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU) -2020
Working Group member of the SER-OUSL 2019 – CRITERION 2 (Governance and Management) of the Institutional Review OUSL, 2019

Contributions in the Field of Teaching
- Course Material Development – Print Material Development

	Programme	Course code & Title	Title of the session (lesson)	Task	Medium
1	Bachelor of Education Honours in Natural Sciences	ESU4301/STU6801 Psychology of the adolescent	Personality Development of Adolescence	Session writing	E
2	Bachelor of Education Honours in Primary Education	EPU3234 Curriculum studies and Practicum- Health Nutrition and Safety Measures	Role of school in ensuring health & Wellbeing of young children	Session writing	E
3	Bachelor of Education Honours in Primary Education	EPU3234 Curriculum studies and Practicum- Health Nutrition and Safety Measures	Ensuring health & physical wellbeing of young children	Session writing	E
4	Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE)	STP8306 Guidance and Counselling in Education	Adjustment and development of well-adjusted personality	New study guide -Session writing	E
5	Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE)	STP8301 Educational Psychology	Theoretical Perspectives of Personality Development	New study guide -Session writing	E
6	Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE)	STP8404 Educational Technology Foundations	Techniques of Teaching	New study guide -Session writing	E
7	Master of Science in Environmental Science	STPA305 Environmental Education and Communication	Why we need environmental education	Session writing	E

Programme Coordination:

• Bachelor of Education Honours in Drama and Theatre Degree Programme (2017-2020)
• Bachelor of Education Honours in Natural Sciences Degree Programme (2017- 2021)
• Master of Arts in Education Degree Programme (from 2021)
• Master of Philosophy in Education and Doctor of Philosophy in Education Degree Programme (from
2021)

Course Coordination:

• Master of Education (M.Ed)- STP9619- Guidance & Counselling in Education – Course Team Leader
• Bachelor of Education Honours in Drama and Theatre Degree Programme- Guidance & Counseling in
Education (ESU3128)- Course Team Leader (2017)
• Bachelor of Education Honours in Drama and Theatre Degree Programme- Guidance & Counseling in
Education-(STU5328)- Course Team Leader (2018)
• Bachelor of Education Honours in Natural Sciences Degree Programme – Guidance & Counseling in
Education – (STU5314)- Course Team Leader (2018)
• Bachelor of Education Honours in Natural Sciences Degree Programme STU6801- Psychology of
the Adolescent- Course Team Leader
• Bachelor of Education Honours in Drama and Theatre Degree Programme STU5525-Educational
Psychology- Course coordinator
• Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE)- STP8301- Educational Technology Foundations- Course
Team Leader
• Master of Teacher Education (MTE)- STP9540- Teacher educator as a teaching learning
specialist – Course Team Leader
• Module Leader of Module No. 4-Teaching Learning II: Enhancing Course Skills of CTHE 2022

Researches:

National and International Conference Proceedings/ Presentations

Dilhani, K., De Silva, D.V.M., Fernando, M.N.C., Karunanayaka, S.P. (2011). Impact of School based projects implemented by student teachers of the Post Graduate Diploma in Education Programme. paper presented at annual academic sessions, Open University, Sri Lanka.

Karunanayaka. S., Fernando, M.N.C., De Silva, D. V. M., Dilhani, K. (2011). An Analytical study on the Project component in Teaching practice stage Two of the Post Graduate Diploma in Education Programme, paper presented at annual academic sessions, Open University, Sri Lanka.

Karunanayaka, S.P., De Silva, D.V.M., Fernando, C. (2013). Perceptions of Student teachers of an Online learning Environment on Open Educational Resources for Science Education, paper presented at annual academic sessions, Open University, Sri Lanka.

Karunanayaka, S., De Silva, D.V.M., Fernando, C. (2013). An OER -integrated Online learning environment to enhance knowledge construction in Chemistry at Secondary School Level, paper presented at the International conference on Chemical Education, Institute of Chemistry Ceylon, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

De Silva, D.V.M. (2014). Encourage Self-regulated learning among Open and Distance Learners: A literature review of existing instructional strategies and specific tools for encouraging self-regulation, paper presented at annual research symposium, University of Colombo.

De Silva, D.V.M. (2015). An investigation of the present status of self-regulated learning skills of university students studying in the open and distance learning environment, paper presented at annual research symposium, University of Colombo.

De Silva, D.V.M. (2016). Developing self-regulated learning skills in university students studying in the open and distance learning environment. paper presented at annual research symposium, the Faculty of Education, Open University, Sri Lanka.

De Silva,D.V.M. (2017). Adopting Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire to assess self-regulated learning skills in university students. Research paper presented at annual research symposium, University of Colombo, held 21-22 November,2017, in Colombo.

De Silva,D.V.M. (2018). Developing self-regulated learning skills in university students studying in the open and distance learning environment. Research paper, presented at an international conference on Future Education organized by International Institute of Knowledge Management with the partnership of University of Colombo, University of Tampere, Finland, held on 26^th-27^th June 2018, in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

De Silva, D.V.M. (2019). Developing Self-regulated Learning skills in university students studying in the Open & Distance Learning Environment by using KWL method. paper presented at Ninth Pan-Commonwealth Forum, Edinburgh, Scotland

De Silva, D.V.M., Anuruddhika, B.G.H., Rathnayake, R.N.P., Alwis, K.A.C., Kugamoorthy, S., Ketheeswaran, D.D.I., Chathurika, D., Weerakoon, W.M.S. (2021). Difficulties encountered by the students in completing the research project in undergraduate degree programmes. Research paper presented at the Open University Research Sessions (OURS) organized by the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL), 16-17 September 2021, Nawala, Sri Lanka

De Silva, D.V.M., Perera, K.D.R.L.J. (2022). Developing Tools to Examine the Integration of SMART Classroom features in the Teaching -Learning process in an ODL context: Phase 1. Research paper presented at 35th AAOU conference held on 2nd,3rd,4th November 2022 in International Convention Center JEJU, Korea

De Silva, D.V.M. (2022). Developing Self-Regulated Learning Skills in University Students studying in the Open and distance Learning Environment by using the Collaborative Learning Method. Research paper presented at 35th AAOU conference held on 2nd,3rd,4th November 2022 in International Convention Center JEJU, Korea

Amina,A.C.R., Lekamge,G.D., De Silva,D.V.M.(2023).Self-Regulated Learning Strategies practiced by Students studying for G.C.E.O/L Research paper presented at the Open University Research Sessions (OURS) organized by the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL), 09-10 November 2023, Nawala, Sri Lanka

Amina,A.C.R., Lekamge,G.D., De Silva,D.V.M. (2023). The relationship between self-regulated learning strategies and academic achievement. (2023). Research paper presented at the 3rd International Research Symposium, University of Colombo, held 24th November 2023, Colombo.

Thesis

De Silva, D.V.M. (2018). Developing self-regulated learning skills in university students studying in the open and distance learning environment, dissertation Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, University of Colombo.

De Silva, D.V.M. (2008). Social needs of School Aged

Adolescents and responses of Parents of different socio-economic levels, dissertation Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Education, Open University of Sri Lanka.

Research Supervisions:

Research Projects/dissertations/Thesis

Supervising research dissertations of Master’s Programme, Supervising Thesis of M.Phil, Supervising research projects of Bachelor of Education Honours in Drama and Theatre, Bachelor of Education Honours in Natural Sciences, Bachelor of Education Honours in Special Needs

Publications:

Journal Publications
De Silva, D. V. M. (2020). Developing self-regulated learning skills in university students studying in the open and distance learning environment using the KWL method. Journal of Learning for Development, 7(2), 204-217.
Karunanayaka, S., De Silva, V., Fernando, C. (2013). Designing an online learning environment on Open Educational Resources for science education. AAOU journal, 8(2), 1-11.

Book Chapters

Karunanayaka, S. Fernando, C., Jayasinghe, S., De Silva, V., & Hewapathirana, C. (2014). Change through Technology: A Journey. In S. Karunanayaka & S. Naidu (Eds). Integrating OER in Educational Practice: Practitioner Stories. (pp. 93-122). Nugegoda: The Open University of Sri Lanka. Retrieved from http://bit.ly/2jzeDu1

De Silva, D.V.M. (2024). Quality Assurance in Teacher Education. In: Hummel, S. (eds) Empowering Education in Cambodia and Sri Lanka: Quality Improvement in Teaching and Learning in the 21st Century. Doing Higher Education. Springer VS, Wiesbaden. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-43306-2_8

Dean/ Faculty of Education; Senior Lecturer Grade I

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