comparative study for Knowledge and Attitudes of Virtual and Non-Virtual Students towards E-Learning

Today, Electronic Learning System is an important teaching method in the world. E-learning is a relatively new teaching method in Iran and the world, so considering knowledge and attitude of students as an important element of educational system is necessary. The aim of this study is the comparison of knowledge and attitude of virtual and non virtual students towards E-learning.
In this descriptive–analytic study, 93 virtual students of Guilan University and 130 non virtual students of Guilan University of Medical Sciences in 2014 by stratified random sampling methods were selected. To measure attitude, a three parts structured questionnaire covered demographic data, Information Technology knowledge and Mishra’s E-Learning Attitude Scale was used.data were analyzed by descriptive Statistics (frequency distribution, mean & standard deviation, analytic statistics (t-test) and SPSS software.
findings showed that the mean age of virtual and non-virtual students were 33.92±7.2 and 23.32±2.8 years respectively. The mean score of e-learning knowledge in virtual students was 6.15±2.6, and in non-virtual students 5.03±2.1.although virtual students achieve higher mean score in e-learning knowledge; it shows significant differences between e-learning knowledge of virtual and non virtual students (p=0.001). The mean score of attitude in virtual students was 36.93±9.2, and in non-virtual students 36.62±9.6. There was no significant differences between their attitudes.
results show that students knowledge toward E-learning in two groups was low while their attitude was positive so, in order to creating appropriate situation to develop and utilizing Electronic education, promoting students knowledge and institutionalize in this regards based on students needs is necessary.