Assessing the Quality of Virtual Training in Physical Education Lessons during the Coronavirus Pandemic

This study describes the impact of virtual training on the physical education courses during the covid-19 pandemic using the applied descriptive-survey method. All first-grade high school students in Rasht have been investigated as a statistical population, including 534 students, while a researcher-made questionnaire of 5-point Likert scale has been utilized as the data collection tool. To determine the reliability, Cronbach's alpha correlation coefficient was calculated 0.96, and to confirm the face and content validity, the questionnaire was provided to a group of experts. Various parameters such as the ten-dimensions feedback, educational content, interaction, infrastructure and technology, support, assessment, evaluation, individual characteristics of the learner, management, educational services, and satisfaction have been identified using exploratory factor analysis. Data analysis has been performed by applying multiple tests, including Kolmogorov Smirnov, binomial, Man-Whitney U, and Friedman. The results showed that virtual training of physical education courses offers a higher quality of training compared to the standard level. A significant difference was observed in the dimensions ranks of e-training quality of this course. The highest-ranking score was for the assessment and evaluation dimensions, while the interaction was the lowest rated. A remarkable difference also was found in the viewpoints of male and female students in the dimensions of assessment and evaluation, feedback, management, and interaction. Pointing to the study’s findings and the continuation of the covid-19 pandemic, providing required facilities and appropriate conditions is highly recommended to ensure all students can take advantage of this method of education. Therefore, designing a suitable curriculum according to the students' characteristics and requirements while well-matched with their learning speed is the first step toward enabling high-quality virtual training. Moreover, the reasonable design of exams based on students' conditions and facilities is critically important and should not be overlooked.