http://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/8500 2026-01-07T06:15:41Z http://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/8584 Flipped Classrooms using Social Networks: An investigation on learning styles Gunawardena, K.S.L; Prabhani, P.L.M The Flipped Classroom concept has recently been trending as a novel approach to adding a refreshing touch to the traditional classroom lecture. Social Networks are increasingly becoming a ubiquitous characteristic of many learners and is often compared to a complementing platform to the more established learning management systems. In most conventional setups, learners have a diverse set of characteristics. One such - Learning styles, is often considered as necessary for ensuring productivity and learner satisfaction in a learning environment. This paper investigates learning styles used in a flipped classroom environment implemented with the aid of a popular social network. In the preliminary analysis, the learning styles of the learners are gathered through a computer-based test, and a simple feedback survey was carried out to evaluate whether the content presentation and flipped approach was satisfactory. The results in this case suggest that the satisfaction of students in a flipped classroom benefit from content prepared to match the selected learning styles of users (Visual). 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z http://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/8581 Banana fiber/low-density polyethylene recycled composites for third world eco-friendly construction applications – Waste for life project Sri Lanka Bolduc, S; Jung, K; Venkata, P; Ashokcline, M; Jayasinghe, R; Baillie, C; Lessard, L In the framework of the waste for life Sri Lanka project, low value industrial low-density polyethylene waste plastics and banana fibers made from agricultural waste are upcycled into affordable eco-friendly building products. This creates income for the local communities while mitigating waste disposal and reducing ecological problems. Within this context, a robust manufacturing method using compression molding was developed. Panels with varying fiber content were manufactured using unchopped and chopped fibers. Low-density polyethylene characterization using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry to compare plastic sources was conducted. To reduce cost, no fiber treatments or compatibilizers were used. An estimate of critical fiber length was found to be around 1.45 cm to 2.5 cm. A trend of increasing strength with fiber content (up to 40 wt.%) was achieved by using longer fibers than in the previous research. Handling and dispersion of the fibers were increased by chopping the fibers to 20 cm lengths, which led to an increase in tensile strength due to easier manufacturing. Cross-ply panels made with fibers chopped to a length of 20 cm were found to be strongest peaking at around 40 wt.% with a tensile strength of 32.8 MPa, a fourfold increase compared to a raw low-density polyethylene (0 wt.%) panel. 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z