University of Tehran

In the digital age, e - learning systems have been employed as new equipment in the higher education system in different universities. Consideringthe importance of optimization of this system, this research is aimed at providing a modelfor the effectiveness of e - learning at in higher education systems . The study is a descriptive survey study in terms of its data collection method . The population includes all the students of electronic courses at the University of Tehran . This population includes 1481 students of the University of Tehran in the academic year 2019 - 2020 . Regarding the population size, 300 students were selectedbased onstratified sampling, using Cochran ’ s formula.Lisrel and Amos softwarewere used for data analysis . In the first step, byliterature review, and based on the collected information, 87 components were identified to be related toe - learning effectiveness . Then, based on the highest frequency of the identified components in one hand, and their significance from the experts ’ viewpoints, on the other hand, 14 components were finally selected and classified in three major classes including;pedagogical, individual and technicalrelated factors.

The purpose of this research was to identify the skills and abilities learners need in a digital learning environment during the Corona crisis. The research approach was applied in terms of objective and the data collected using the mixed-method approach. In the first part, using a qualitative approach and a document search method, 33 components (related to the skills and abilities of e-learners) were identified, and then19 components out of 33 with the highest frequencies were selected. The target population for this study included all MA students of the University of Tehran who had the experience of studying in an online learning environment, then 374 individuals were selected as a sample using the random sampling method. In the second part, using a quantitative approach and a descriptive-analytical research method, the questionnaire developed by the researcher relies on 19 components identified in the previous step. The experts' opinions proved the validity of the questionnaire—moreover, its reliability in 0.94 (Cronbach alpha). The data was analyzed by SPSS and LISREL, and the results of the data analysis demonstrate that the proposed model is a good fit. Among the 19 components surveyed, all are above average. Finally, the results indicated that the most critical components from e-learners’ view which more critical in digital learning were effective communication, use of the computer, active learning, learning skills, resilience, motivation toward e-learning, emotional intelligence, interaction with e-learning system, self-direct learning, time management, flexibility and adaptability, critical thinking, creativity, asking someone for help, leadership skills, stress management, self-organized, cognitive skills and self-assessment

The COVID-19 pandemic brought instructional and administrative possibilities and problematics in higher education internationally. In such conditions, the developing countries suffered challenging times for less personnel preparedness, deficiencies in technological infrastructure, and restricted sources of finance for investing. This study argues that Iran's higher education was already pressured under the UCMs before the emergency transition to online education. It therefore focuses on the University of Tehran (UT), one of the most affluent Iranian universities, which stands as a role model in quality and excellence at the national and regional scales. It employs the reflexive thematic analysis method to  cover a comprehensive body of COVID-driven content at UT’s website, including news, administrative notes, and announcements on new official regulations, teaching guidelines, and consultative commentaries for mental well-being. It provides an analytical model based on three major themes, A) students: technical and emotional support vs. onerous regulations, B) prosociality and social responsibility, C) instructors at University of Tehran: highly expected simultaneously ignored. These major themes entail different subthemes and motifs that unveil UT’s developing solutions and obstacles to foster fruitful exchange within the UT community. 

With the spread of the Coronavirus in Iran and almost simultaneously around the world, universities were forced to operate online and use distance education. The efficiency of universities in these critical situations depends to a large extent on their communication and media policies to advance their educational and research goals. To review the media and communication policy of the University of Tehran and the University of Cape Town, the content of their official websites from March 2020 to January 2021 was evaluated. This paper, using a combination of qualitative and quantitative content analysis, examined the content of these websites in connection with the Corona pandemic and evaluated their  communication strategy in conveying their messages. Both universities have prioritized medical and emergency services which show the importance of students' and staff’s health for both universities but the social responsibility were  more evident in Tehran University with its deeper commitment to its social missions. In terms of communication strategy, Cape Town University adopted a "supportive and egocentric" strategy to provide the necessary news and refrain  from publishing the comments of audiences, and the University of Tehran took a "supportive and selective" strategy intending to provide the most news with selective comments. 

The purpose of current study is to explore the critical challenges of e-learning in higher education institutions. The data for this research were collected through a qualitative approach using a descriptive phenomenological method and semi-structured interview tool, then the findings were analyzed by Colaizzi's (1978) 7-step method. The research field included 12 academic experts in E-learning at the University of Tehran through purposeful Sampling. The validity of qualitative data, based on the four criteria of Lincoln and Goba (1985) including; credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability and also reliability by re-coding and two coders have been examined and confirmed. The results of the analysis led to exploring142 main concepts, then in the form of 10 critical challenges related to the most components of the educational system including; learner, teacher, technology, financial and information resources, ethical considerations, university culture, classroom leadership, support system, learning effectiveness, and satisfaction of internal stakeholders. Finally, using a systematic approach, the mentioned challenges have been classified into three main dimensions of learning-teaching system such as; input, process, and output.