Developing an Evaluation Model for E-Learning in Higher-Education: A Case Study of Payame Noor University

The purpose of the present research is to develop an evaluation model for e-learning in higher-education in Payame Noor University, for studying this research we use the review of literature and research about Electronic learning through questionnaires and survey of scientific members and statistic analysis of SPSS. Result of this research led to an offering pattern in evaluation of E- learning area with 9 factors and 33 criteria. This pattern also will be use for designing, performance and evaluation of the E- learning in Payame Noor University and other higher education institutes all over the world. Keywords: E-learning, evaluation, modeling, distance higher-education, Payame Noor Universit

Plan for Applying Total Quality Management in Education for Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences

In this study, the appropriateness of existing quality standards and their use in practice in educational organizations were discussed. The study shows how the quality standard of TQM and QMTL and the possibility of their articulation to develop a holistic model can contribute to change this situation. The study alsoinvestigated whether this standard is an adequate basis for quality development in organizations. To implement a quality system in an educational organization, four main steps are necessary: context setting, model adaptation, model implementation/adoption, and quality development. Each step should be performed with a broad range of actors to raise awareness and consensus. To facilitate this process and to develop a quality system for an organization, the use of the holistic model for the description of quality approaches was recommended. Since the model is very generic, more research is necessary, especially to find specific solutions to different contexts of usage (e.g., for schools). Additionally, research has been initiated to analyze the differences and adaptation requirements for different countries and regions to include cultural aspects. Finally, a variety of tools is being developed to support this process, such as the initial choice of a quality approach or the choice of quality instruments. For the future, it can be expected that a variety of tools will be available to support this process and to integrate quality into a broad range of educational organizations

Quality of Root Canal Filling in Curved Canals Utilizing Warm Vertical Compaction and Two Different Single Cone Techniques: A Three-Dimensional Micro-Computed Tomography Study

Statement of the Problem: Successful endodontic treatment depends on three-dimensional (3D) root canal filling to prevent the leakage of residual bacteria. Different obturation techniques with different sealers should be compared by employing advanced assessment tools.Purpose: This study compared the obturation quality of warm vertical compaction (WVC) and two different single-cone (SC) techniques using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT).Materials and Method: Thirty-three extracted maxillary molars with mesial root canal curvature of 20‒40º were prepared in vitro with One-Curve files and randomly assigned to three groups (n=11) for root canal obturation with WVC, SC technique with AH Plus sealer (SC-AH), or SC technique with SureSeal bioceramic (BC) sealer (SC-Su). The root canals underwent micro-CT examinations before and after obturation to determine the volume percentages (VPs) of voids and gaps at different distances from the apex (coronal, middle, and apical thirds). Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: The highest VP of voids and gaps was recorded in the SC-Su group, with no significant difference from other groups (p> 0.05). There were significant differences in VP of gaps at different distances from the apex (p0.05).Conclusion: None of the tested techniques could provide a void-free and gap-free filling. The apical third of the canals showed the highest VP of gaps in all obturation techniques

PREDICTING THE GROWTH TREND OF DEMAND FOR DISTANCE EDUCATION IN IRAN: A CASE STUDY OF PAYAME NOOR UNIVERSITY

Awareness of the strategic role of higher education has led many countries to pursue long-term goals. The aim of this study is to identify the factors affecting the growth trend of the student in higher education by 2029. The statistical population of the whole is Payame Noor University. The method of this research is documentary-analytical. First, the factors influencing the demand for higher education, especially in open and distance education, were examined and analyzed using a regression model. Research data evaluated using the ordinary least squares regression method. The results show that economic factors have the most critical impact on increasing the demand for distance education. The forecast results show that the growth trend of the student population until 2029, between the two groups of men and women, is equally slightly decreasing

A Comparative Study of the Effects of Two Educational Methods, PBL and E-PBL on the Learning of Cardiology Ward Interns

Introduction: There has been a growing trend in many countries to present medical courses electronically and in the form of learner-based learning. Hence, the present study aimed to compare the effects of two educational methods, Problem-based Learning (PBL) and Electronic Problem-based Learning (E-PBL), on the learning of cardiology ward interns in 2013. Methods: This pretest-posttest quasi-experimental study was performed on 64 interns in the cardiology ward of Shariati Hospital, Isfahan in 2013-2014 academic years. The participants were divided randomly into two groups (32 in each) and matched in terms of educational progress, age, gender, and mastery of computer skills. Researcher-made questionnaires were completed before and after the intervention in order to measure knowledge, attitude, and practice. Trainings were separately presented for each group in the forms of PBL and E-PBL. Data were analyzed using independent t-test and T-square test. Results: In PBL method, mean scores of knowledge, attitude, and practice were 12.2±11.38 (out of 40), 3.2±1.8 (out of 10), and 8.1±4.25 (out of 20) respectively before trainings and 4.8±4.4, 6.5±4.31, 16.7±1.4 respectively after the intervention. As for E-PBL, mean scores were 2.21±0.5, 11.78±2.4, and 6.2±1.82 respectively before the intervention and 75.74±1.7, 8.85±0.38, and 19.2±1.2 respectively after the intervention. Findings indicated that there was a significant difference between students’ learning before and after the intervention in both methods and this difference was more significant for E-PBL (P≤0.001) than PBL. Conclusion: Given the significant difference between the scores of participants trained by means of PBL and E-PBL methods and the advantages of the electronic method, Electronic Problem-based Learning is suggested for this course for medical students

Synthesis Research on the Effectiveness of E-Learning in Medical Sciences Education and Its Design and Implementation Requirements

Introduction: The use of e-learning methods has brought about a great revolution in the field of medical sciences education. In this regard, analytical assessment of the literature can be effective in understanding the effectiveness of e-learning system and its design and implementation requirements. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to conduct a synthesis research on the effectiveness of e-learning in medical sciences education and explore its design and implementation requirements. Methods: This research employed a qualitative synthesis approach. Data were collected by searching through library sources, dissertations and papers in databases of ERIC, ProQuest, Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, Springer, Magiran and Irandoc. Databases were searched using the keywords effectiveness, e-learning, distance education, virtual medical education, blended learning and e-learning requirements both separately and in combination. A total of 178 research studies (Persian and English), published from 2007 to 2016, were identified, of which 78 were selected for analysis. Results: Findings showed that e-learning has been effective in different fields of medical sciences for both fully electronic courses and blended learning courses. In addition, pedagogical, organizational and technical requirements should be identified and applied for effective design and implementation of the e-learning system. Conclusion: Successful and effective implementation of the e-learning system requires adequate infrastructures, preparedness at the levels of knowledge, skill and attitude among students and professors as well as appropriate designing of educational programs based on meticulous needs assessments in the target population

The Review of Computer Literacy Standards in Virtual Education

Background and objective: The main purpose of this article was a review of students' computer literacy level who were studying through distance education at University of Tehran, Faculty of Management. Materials and Methods: This study was a descriptive-survey research in which 171 students were selected. Research instrument was a questionnaire of computer literacy based on standards of ICDL. The reliability index for the total test was 0.70. Result: Components of Information Technology; Windows; Word; PowerPoint; Excel and Access were relatively at a desirable level. Component of Internet was the only one at a desirable level. Also, general computer literacy skills were relatively at a desirable level. Conclusion: One of the most important technical skills in the system of distance education is computer literacy skill. Having this skill will contribute to access information and knowledge. Therefore, planning to teach computer literacy skills is essential in medical and non-medical sciences universities