The Role of Corona Virus In Virtual Education, with an Emphasis on Opportunities and Challenges

The aim of current research was to investigate the attitude of elementary school teachers in Zahedan towards the opportunities and challenges that the corona virus has created for virtual education in schools by using a series of mix exploratory research methods (qualitative-quantitative). Qualitative and quantitative information and data were collected through interviews with 10 experienced teachers and distributing questionnaires among 120 primary school teachers. In the qualitative section, collection and analysis of data were performed using the coding method of Strauss and Corbin, including three steps (open, axial and selective). In the quantitative section, after collecting the data by using a researcher-made questionnaire whose content validity and reliability were confirmed through the results of the initial interview, the data were analyzed by descriptive statistics (percentage and frequency). According to the results, challenges and opportunities were discussed and classified into three levels: macro, medium and micro. At the macro level, challenges of lack of strategic thinking among managers and planners, unfavorable policy, poor educational technology and inefficient management were achieved. At the medium level, the challenges of the weakness of the technologies introduced, the lack of independence and freedom of action, and the disruption of the proposed budget were achieved. In addition, From the participants' point of view, the incidence of corona virus has provided opportunities at the macro level (providing a context for change, attention to strategic planning and attention to online and virtual education), at the medium level (creating equal educational opportunity and creating new educational innovation) and at the micro level (family, students and teachers).