Examining Opportunities and Challenges of Teaching in the Students' Educational Network (SHAD) Based on Teachers' Real-life Experiences

Virtual education provides an opportunity to overcome the limitations of traditional classroom teaching. This research aims to identify the opportunities and challenges of teaching in the Shad educational network based on the lived experiences of teachers in Khuzestan province. A qualitative research design with a phenomenological approach was employed. Data were collected through purposive sampling and semi-structured interviews with 30 formal teachers (elementary and secondary school) who worked in the Shad educational network during the year 2020. Thematic analysis of the teachers' perspectives led to the identification of 10 opportunities, including increased parental involvement in the teaching and learning process of students, unrestricted access to educational materials, more attention to struggling students, elimination of commuting costs, identification of competent and creative teachers, student engagement in research activities, mandatory quarantine for students, improved digital literacy of teachers and students, reduced stress in face-to-face classrooms, and an exciting and engaging virtual learning environment for students. Additionally, 12 challenges were identified, including limited internet access for all students, the difficulty of student assessment, lack of student mobility, high internet costs for some families, student addiction to smartphones and tablets, neglect of individual differences, social growth disorders among students, increased possibilities of cheating, difficulty in correcting exams and reviewing assignments, focus solely on teaching at the expense of student development, loss of healthy competition among students, and decreased student motivation and lack of seriousness in class.