E-Learning Challenges in Iran: A Research Synthesis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v21i4.4677Keywords:
e-learning, challenge, Iran, research synthesis, modelAbstract
This study investigates and fully identifies the challenges of the Iranian e-learning system. The approach was qualitative and the method was research synthesis. The statistical population consisted of studies from 2006 to 2019 in the field of challenges of the e-learning system of Iran collected with specific keywords from the country’s databases. A total of 48 studies were identified as relevant. They were screened in stages and evaluated based on their title, abstract, and content. The final 19 articles selected underwent content analysis, revealing that Iran’s e-learning system faces problems in eight dimensions: legal, human, educational, technological, sociocultural, support, economic, and managerial-organizational. The results of the analysis could serve as a model for countries with similar technology infrastructure and cultural features wishing to improve their e-learning systems.
References
Abbasi Kasani, H., & Shams, Gh. R. (2018). A research synthesis of critical success factors of e-learning: A model development. Technology of Education, 13(1), 133-146. doi: 10.22061/jte.2018.3061.1777
Abbasi Kasani, H., Haji Zeynalgabedini, M., & Raisi, A. (2018). Pathology of University of Medical Sciences e-learning system based on Khan model. The Journal of Medical Education and Development (JMED), 12(4), 227-238. Retrieved from http://jmed.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-825-en.html
Aljamal, A., Cader, H., Chiemeke, C., & Speece, M. (2015). Empirical assessment of e-learning on performance in principles of economics. International Review of Economics Education, 18, 37-48. doi: 10.1016/j.iree.2015.02.002
Aoki, K., & Pogroszewski, D. (1998). Virtual university reference model: A guide to delivering education and support services to the distance learner. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 1(3), 1-15. Retrieved from https://www.westga.edu/~distance/ojdla/fall13/aoki13.html
Arabsorkhi, A., & Yadegari, A. (2011). Identifying and analysis of security challenges and solutions in e-learning environments. Iranian Journal of Information Processing and Management, 26(2), 441-464. Retrieved from https://jipm.irandoc.ac.ir/article-1-1360-en.html
Asghari, M., Alizadeh, M., Kazemi, A., Safari, H., Asghari, F., Bagheri-Asl, M. M., & Heidarzadeh, S. (2012). An investigation of the challenges of e-learning in medical sciences from the faculty members’ viewpoints of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. The Journal of Medical Education and Development (JMED), 7(1), 26-34. Retrieved from http://jmed.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-68-en.html
Bagherimajd, R., Shahei, S., & Mehralizadeh, Y. (2013). Assessing challenges in the development of electronic learning in higher education (Case study of Shahid Chamran University in Ahwaz). Journal of Medical Education Development, 6(12), 1-13. Retrieved from http://zums.ac.ir/edujournal/article-1-149-en.html
Bashiruddin, M., Basit, A., & Naeem, M. (2010). Barriers to the implementation of e-learning system with focus on organizational culture (Master’s thesis, Mälardalen University, Västerås and Eskilstuna, Sweden). Retrieved from http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:mdh:diva-9923
Cidral, W. A., Oliveira, T., Di Felice, M., & Aparicio, M. (2018). E-learning success determinants: Brazilian empirical study. Computers & Education, 122, 273-290. doi: 10.1016/j.compedu.2017.12.001
Corbin, J., & Strauss, A. (2008). Basics of qualitative research (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks: Sage. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781452230153
Dev, K. (2018). E-learning and higher education. International Journal of Academic Research and Development, 3(2), 1679-1682. Retrieved from http://www.academicjournal.in/archives/2018/vol3/issue2/3-2-240
Dosti, Z., Madanipour, M., & Bideglo, F. (2018). Opportunities and threats of electronic learning and the solutions to counter the threats. Fourth National Conference and First International Conference on Transformation and Innovation in the Humanities, Shiraz, August 16. Retrieved from https://www.tpbin.com/article/72692#content1
Elkaseh, A. (2015). An investigation of the factors for adopting e-learning in Libyan higher education for learning and teaching (Doctoral dissertation, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia). Retrieved from http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/31008
Etezadi, M., Arefi, M., & Aghakasiri, Z. (2009). Investigating the problems of the distance learning centers: The viewpoints of the teachers and the students of Isfahan’s high schools in the academic year 2008-2009. Research in Curriculum Planning, 1(23), 149-177. Retrieved from http://jsr-e.khuisf.ac.ir/article_534159.html
Ghahramani, F. (2015). Explaining the philosophical approaches of e-learning and its pathology in Iranian higher education (to provide performance improvement strategies) (Master’s thesis, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran). Retrieved from https://parseh.modares.ac.ir/thesis/1056805
Ghasemi, M., Fardanesh, H., Hatami, J., & Ahmady, S. (2018). Evaluation of the electronic learning system of medical education (Case study of Shahid Beheshti Medical School). Journal of Education Strategies in Medical Sciences, 11(4), 39-52. Retrieved from http://edcbmj.ir/article-1-1618-en.html
Gholami, Z., & Gavgani, V. Z. (2011). An overview on the concept of information literacy and its skills. Depiction of Health, 2(2), 34-39. Retrieved from https://doh.tbzmed.ac.ir/Article/doh-19
Gulati, S. (2008). Technology-enhanced learning in developing nations: A review. The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 9(1), 1-16. doi: 10.19173/irrodl.v9i1.477
Hadadyan A. (2011). ارزیابی وضعیت آموزش الکترونیکی کشور در عصر جهانی شدن [Surveying national e-learning system in the globalization era]. Strategic Studies of Public Policy, 2(4), 117-148. Retrieved from http://sspp.iranjournals.ir/article_2473.html
Hedges, L.V., & Cooper, H. (2009). Research synthesis as a scientific process. In H. Cooper, L.V. Hedges, & J.C. Valentine (Eds.), The handbook of research synthesis and meta-analysis (2nd ed.; pp. 3-16). Russell Sage Foundation Publications. Retrieved from https://b-ok.cc/book/2363591/39f1ee
Hsieh, H. F., & Shannon, S. E. (2005). Three approaches to qualitative content analysis. Qualitative Health Research, 15(9), 1277-1288. doi: 10.1177/104932305276687
Kc, D. (2017). Evaluation of Moodle features at Kajaani University of Applied Sciences–Case study. Procedia Computer Science, 116, 121-128. doi: 10.1016/j.procs.2017.10.021
Khatib Zanjani, N., Zandi, B., Farajollahi, M., Sarmadi, M. R., & Ebrahim Zadeh, I. (2012). The structured analysis of requirements and challenges of e-learning and proposing a practical model for successful implementation of e-courses in medical sciences. Iranian Journal of Medical Education, 11(8), 995-1009. Retrieved from http://ijme.mui.ac.ir/article-1-1212-en.html
Khorasani, A., A’lami, F., & Razavizadeh, S. (2017). Identifying the critical success factors in the academic e-learning centers (Qualitative study). Information and Communication Technology in Educational Sciences, 7(2), 26, 5-37. Retrieved from http://ictedu.iausari.ac.ir/article_656489_en.html
Lee, J. (2001). A grounded theory: Integration and internalization in ERP adoption and use. (Doctoral dissertation). Available from ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database. (UMI No. 3016318). Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/docview/275713719
Liu, J. (2013). E-learning in English classroom: Investigating factors impacting on ESL (English as Second Language) college students’ acceptance and use of the Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment (Moodle) (Master’s thesis). doi: 10.31274/etd-180810-3334
Mahmoudi, M., & Hashemikia, A. (2017, June). Exploring the benefits, disadvantages, and challenges of e-learning. Paper presented at the Second National Congress on Transformation and Innovation in Humanities, Shiraz. Retrieved from https://www.civilica.com/Paper-ICCIH02-ICCIH02_036.html
Mahmoudi, M., & Purnasir, N. (2017, June). Challenges of learners and e-learning environments. Paper presented at the Second National Congress on Transformation and Innovation in Humanities, Shiraz. Retrieved from https://www.civilica.com/Paper-ICCIH02-ICCIH02_068.html
Majidi, A. (2009). Electronic education: History, features, infrastructure, and obstacles. National Studies on Librarianship and Information Organization, 20(2), 9-26. Retrieved from http://nastinfo.nlai.ir/article_262_en.html
Mazini, N. (2009). The challenges of learning in e-city. Research Institute for Information and Communication Technology, Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Electronic City, Tehran.
Mohamadian, A., Manian, A., & Khodadad Beromy, M. (2015). A systematic review of research and future research directions of the virtual business incubators. BI Management Studies, 3(12), 123-150. Retrieved from http://ims.atu.ac.ir/article_1963_en.html
Mohsenzadeh, M. (2017). Pathology and solutions for promoting religious education in cyberspace. In Proceedings of the First International Conference on Capacity-Building and Impact of Cyberspace on Promoting Religious Education. Retrieved from https://www.civilica.com/Paper-CICPRE01-CICPRE01_056.html
Mosakhani, M., & Jamporazmey, M. (2010). Introduce critical success factors (CSFs) of e-learning for evaluating e-learning implementation success. In X. Zhou, D.S. Bhilare, & A.N. Nambiar (Chairs), 2010 International Conference on Educational and Information Technology (ICEIT), Volume 1 (pp.224-228). doi: 10.1109/ICEIT.2010.5607745
Muyinda, P. B. (2007). M-learning pedagogical, technical and organisational hypes and realities. Campus-Wide Information Systems, 24(2), 97-104. Retrieved from https://www.learntechlib.org/p/101928/
Naderifar, M., Ghaljaie, F., Jalalodini, A., Rezaie, N., & Salalr, A. (2016). Challenges of e-learning in medical sciences: A review article. Journal of Medical Education Development, 9(23), 102-111. Retrieved from http://zums.ac.ir/edujournal/article-1-707-en.html
Noesgaard, S. S., & Ørngreen, R. (2015). The effectiveness of e-learning: An explorative and integrative review of the definitions, methodologies and factors that promote e-learning effectiveness. Electronic Journal of E-learning, 13(4), 278-290. Retrieved from https://www.learntechlib.org/p/160780/
Ostad, S. N., Ahmady, S., Mohammadi, A., Sabzevari, O., Mojtahedzadeh, R., Razavizadeh, M., & Norouzadeh, A. N. (2019). Evolution of e-learning in Iran’s medical sciences universities: Formation of Virtual University of Medical Sciences. Teb va tazkiye , 27(4), 233-243. Retrieved from http://www.tebvatazkiye.ir/article_83481_en.html
Paechter, M., Maier, B., & Macher, D. (2010). Students’ expectations of, and experiences in e-learning: Their relation to learning achievements and course satisfaction. Computers & Education, 54(1), 222-229. doi: 10.1016/j.compedu.2009.08.005
Paykani, A. (2016). Pathology of e-learning curriculum in higher education (Master’s thesis, Al-Zahra University, Tehran, Iran). Retrieved from https://ganj.irandoc.ac.ir/#/articles/0b9bcce555a49fb4fea991eb7d908bb3
Rafiei, M., Ghaffari, H., & Khorami, M. (2017). Evaluating the effectiveness of e-learning method in human resource education (Case study of Markazi Province PNU). Research in School and Virtual Learning, 4(16), 71-84. Retrieved from http://etl.journals.pnu.ac.ir/article_3694.html
Rahimi Doost, G. (2007). تجربة پروژههای یادگیری الکترونیکی چگونه بوده است؟ چالشهای پیش روی در پروژههای یادگیری الکترونیکی [How has the experience of e-learning projects been? Challenges facing e-learning projects]. Library and Information Sciences, 10(2), 337-355. Retrieved from http://lis.aqr-libjournal.ir/article_44100.html
Romi, I. M. (2017). A model for e-learning systems success: Systems, determinants, and performance. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 12(10), 4-20. doi: 10.3991/ijet.v12i10.6680
Sandelowski, M., & Barroso, J. (2006). Handbook for synthesizing qualitative research. New York: Springer Publishing. Retrieved from https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=rjNMH0g8fFsC&oi=fnd&pg=PR5&dq=Sandelowski,+M.,+%26+Barroso,+J.+(2006).+Handbook+for+synthesizing+qualitative+research.+New+&ots=I0jp5Uhyc1&sig=hW1iHZzzdar2XRxJb9ej1U89tkQ#v=onepage&q=Sandelowski%2C%20M.%2C%20&f=false
Selim, H. M. (2007). Critical success factors for e-learning acceptance: Confirmatory factor models. Computers & Education, 49(2), 396-413. doi: 10.1016/j.compedu.2005.09.004
Shahnavazi, A., Mehraeen, E., Bagheri, S., Miri, Z., & Mohammadghasemi, M. (2017). Survey of students readiness to use of e-learning technology. Journal of Paramedical Sciences & Rehabilitation, 6(3), 60-66. doi: 10.22038/jpsr.2017.13629.1283
Shangeerthana, G. V., & Chandrasekar, K. (2016). Re-think on critical successful factors of e-learning implementation in India based corporates. International Journal of Advance Research, Ideas and Innovations in Technology, 2(6), 1-9. Retrieved from https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/a284/0596a265960ac34a56d8857a0a3444234e5b.pdf
Taha, M. (2014). Investigating the success of e-learning in secondary schools: The case of the Kingdom of Bahrain (Doctoral dissertation, Brunel University, London). Retrieved from http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/9237
Tari, F., Shams, G., & Rezaeizadeh, M. (2017). Identifying and modelling of challenges for implementing e-learning in the Iranian National Gas Company: An interpretive structural modeling (ISM) approach. Quarterly Journal of Training & Development of Human Resources, 4(14), 1-27. Retrieved from http://istd.saminatech.ir/En-Article/13970114112831101456
Tarin, H. (2016). Investigating e-learning opportunities and threats at Razi University (Master’s thesis, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran). Retrieved from https://ganj.irandoc.ac.ir//viewer/c5a7723bff9e1807b2d0289d3d523ed8
Uppal, M. A., Ali, S., & Gulliver, S. R. (2018). Factors determining e‐learning service quality. British Journal of Educational Technology, 49(3), 412-426. doi: 10.1111/bjet.12552
Vardasbi, F., RezaeiZadeh, M., Khorasani, A., & Alikhani, P. (2018). Reviewing and examining the effective factors impacting on the accessibility of Shahid Beheshti University’s courseware. Technology of Education, 12(2), 197-209. doi: 10.22061/jte.2018.3030.1769
Zare, H., & Saeed, N. (2017). Electronic learning and cognitive psychology…Opportunities and challenges. Quarterly Journal of Research in School and Virtual Learning, 5, 95-107. Retrieved from http://ensani.ir/file/download/article/20171202144105-9940-120.pdf
Zarei, E., Javaheri, M., & Shikhi, A. (2019). Identifying effective factors and obstacles using electronic learning to increase mental health of primary school students in Karaj (A qualitative study). Technology of Education, 13(3), 773-783. doi: 10.22061/JTE.2018.3595.1905
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence. The copyright of all content published in IRRODL is retained by the authors.
This copyright agreement and use license ensures, among other things, that an article will be as widely distributed as possible and that the article can be included in any scientific and/or scholarly archive.
You are free to
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms below:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.