The experience of e-learning in the educational system of Iran: Meta-analysis of the effectiveness of e-learning in comparison to face-to-face education.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of e-learning in comparison to face-to-face education in in different educational systems of Iran. The method of this research is meta-analysis and the statistical society includes articles with a scientific-research rank published in the national databases. In order to collect information, after a systematic review of the studies conducted on the basis of the criteria for entry, 45 studies were selected and the data were collected in a meta-analysis checklist. In order to analyze the data, sensitivity analysis, funnel, fixed and random models and heterogeneity analysis were used using CMA2 software.The results of data analysis showed that e-learning has a higher effectiveness than face-to-face training, so that after the removal of outlier data, and the combined effect size of 45 studies is equal to .483 According to Cohen's criterion, this amount represents an average effect size. Also, the results showed that in researches that the subjects of the research were students, the dependent variable was of skill type, and sampling method was randomized, the effectiveness of e-learning was greater. Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that e-learning can be a suitable alternative for face-to-face education.