Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Virtual Education of Practical Courses from the Perspective of Professors and Students of Architecture During the Covid-19 Epidemic (Case Study: Shiraz Girls Technical and Vocational College)

It is necessary to study the quality of virtual education during the Covid-19 epidemic and the need for higher education to hold virtual and distant education in this period. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual education of practical courses in the field of architecture in Shiraz Girls' Technical and Vocational College using the survey method. The statistical population of this research comprised of 40 professors and 460 architectural students in the first semester of 2021-2022; based on the Cochran table, the sample size was determined to be 36 professors and 210 students. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire consisting of 34 questions and 8 components. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software at two levels of descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (single sample t test and t independent groups). Findings showed that according to the professors, all components except teaching-learning activity were optimal and the learning-teaching activity component was moderately effective. From the point of view of the students, the flexibility component was desirable while the content component was undesirable, and the components of organizing educational materials, helping students, designing pages, amount of workload, evaluation and handling were considered moderately effective. In general, from the point of view of the professors, the effectiveness of the virtual training course of practical architectural courses was favorable and from the point of view of the students, it was average. This study also showed that familiarity with cyberspace plays a role in the effectiveness of virtual education, including content components, organizing educational materials, flexibility and helping the student and promotes better understanding and communication with the learning environment.