Explaining the Experience of Iranian Student teachers on the Status of Virtual Education in the Corona Virus Pandemic: A Phenomenological Study

The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of Iranian Student teachers on the status of virtual education in the Coronavirus pandemic.

Using phenomenological method, this qualitative study was conducted on 46 student-teachers. The data collection tool was a semi-structured interview which was conducted in absentia due to the prevalence of Quid 19. Data collection and analyses were done concurrently. Data were interpreted using theme analysis method with the support of Nvivo10 qualitative data analysis software.

The thematic network indicated that the challenges of virtual education during the Coronavirus epidemic consisting of a comprehensive theme, 5 organizing themes (Inequality in access to facilities, The challenge of filtering, Internet slowness, Hardware and software challenges, Non-uniform communication channels for all students, Low capacity of communication), and 22 basic themes.

The results of this study can provide useful information about the current state of e-learning and education to administrators, planners, and implementers of e-learning in universities. By identifying the problems in the process of e-learning, this process can be modified, improved, or changed, and measures can be taken to develop and enhance the e-learning process in times of crisis.