Desired Characteristics of Faculty Members and Students in E-Learning in Higher Education of Iran: Virtual Studentsâ Viewpoint

Yaghoubi, Jafar; Malek Mohammadi, Iraj; Iravani, Hooshang; Attaran, Mohammad

Desired Characteristics of Faculty Members and Students in E-Learning in Higher Education of Iran: Virtual Studentsâ Viewpoint

Authors

Jafar Yaghoubi ¹

Iraj Malek Mohammadi ²

Hooshang Iravani ³

Mohammad Attaran ⁴

¹ Lecturer. Department of Agricultural Extension and Education Zanjan University

² Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension and Education Tehran University

³ Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension and Education Tehran University

⁴ Assistance Professor, Department of Psychology and Education Tarbiat Moallem University

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to study desired characteristics of faculty members and students in E-Learning in higher education of Iran from virtual students’ viewpoint. A descriptive–correlation survey approach was used in this study. Respondents filled in a web-based closed questions questionnaire. Based on the results, five most highly ranked items on requirements for students into e-learning in higher education were identified as: responsibility, participation and creativity, IT skills, motivation and virtual ability. Most important attributes on requirements for faculty members was learning management, virtual interactions, student’s support, electronic commitment, providing interaction environment and positive attitude to e-learning. By factor analysis, factors of e-learning success in higher education were reduced to two main factors, namely as Interactions and supporting factors and Contents and educational tools.

Keywords

e-learning

Higher Education

and Virtual Student