Analyzing the Adoption of Digital Platforms in Sri Lankan Vocational Education, Identifying Software Gaps, and Developing a MERN Based Educational Framework
Heendali Mestrige, Dilip Ajantha (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025052917901
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025052917901
Tiivistelmä
Digital platforms form an integral part of Sri Lanka’s vocational education but the implementa-tion in this sector is low as a result of conventional practices and infrastructural constraints. It was a task of taking inventory of the current digital adoption in the vocational education of Sri Lanka, identifying the gaps in the software, and building a modern educational framework us-ing the MERN stack. The aim being to create a user centric, accessible digital platform for en-hancing learning experience, controlling courses and designing a platform for student’s assess-ment process. Data was collected through mixed methods, surveys, interviews, and case studies from students, instructors, and administrators. To identify the shortcomings of current plat-forms, data were systematically analyzed for instance, for lack of student engagement features, ineffective course management tools and lack of accessibility for rural learners.
The findings were used to build a mature full stack MERN application that included the core functionalities such as student registration, course management, module result tracking and student performance evaluation. The frontend uses React.js, and the back is written using Node.js and Express.js while the data is stored in MongoDB. Visual Studio Code, GitHub, Post-man and design platforms were included as development tools. The application contained ca-pacities similar to course enrolment, GPA calculation, module exams, dynamic improvement following, and course material caring for use. In regard to authentication security, environment specific credential management using CI/CD pipelines, and JSON Web Tokens were specially looked into. Compared to the white flag, completed platform addressed the gaps in critical software and significantly improved usability, effectiveness and user satisfaction in test groups. Results showed administrative efficiency improved and students learned better. Finally, the research and development process has demonstrated that a MERN based built tailored, and scalable platform can modernize vocational education delivery in Sri Lanka, and make it more inclusive, efficient, and industry relevant.
The findings were used to build a mature full stack MERN application that included the core functionalities such as student registration, course management, module result tracking and student performance evaluation. The frontend uses React.js, and the back is written using Node.js and Express.js while the data is stored in MongoDB. Visual Studio Code, GitHub, Post-man and design platforms were included as development tools. The application contained ca-pacities similar to course enrolment, GPA calculation, module exams, dynamic improvement following, and course material caring for use. In regard to authentication security, environment specific credential management using CI/CD pipelines, and JSON Web Tokens were specially looked into. Compared to the white flag, completed platform addressed the gaps in critical software and significantly improved usability, effectiveness and user satisfaction in test groups. Results showed administrative efficiency improved and students learned better. Finally, the research and development process has demonstrated that a MERN based built tailored, and scalable platform can modernize vocational education delivery in Sri Lanka, and make it more inclusive, efficient, and industry relevant.