The Impact of Virtual Education on the Academic Performance of Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study of Economics Students, University of Tehran

This study investigates the impact of virtual education on the academic performance of students during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the field of economics at the University of Tehran. The research utilizes three key criteria-GPA, course enrollment behavior, and course dropout-to assess the extent of the impact through regression methods. The sample comprises 281 undergraduate students and 279 master's students who attended the university between 2016 and 2020 (academic semesters from 2016 Fall to 2020 Winter). In addition to academic data, the study includes personal characteristics of students, such as gender, native or non-native status, and scholarship type. The findings reveal that the virtualization of education has led to a slight decrease in the average number of enrolled units, and no significant changes were observed before and after this transition. However, other variables, notably the number of dropped or withdrawn courses, were significantly affected by the change in teaching style. Furthermore, the GPA of students increased with the implementation of virtual education, both at the undergraduate and master's levels, with a more substantial increase observed among undergraduate students. These insights shed light on the impact of virtual education on students' academic performance during the pandemic, providing valuable considerations for educational institutions facing similar challenges.