Exploring and Classifying Critical Challenges of E-learning through a Systematic Approach at the University of Tehran

The purpose of current study is to explore the critical challenges of e-learning in higher education institutions. The data for this research were collected through a qualitative approach using a descriptive phenomenological method and semi-structured interview tool, then the findings were analyzed by Colaizzi's (1978) 7-step method. The research field included 12 academic experts in E-learning at the University of Tehran through purposeful Sampling. The validity of qualitative data, based on the four criteria of Lincoln and Goba (1985) including; credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability and also reliability by re-coding and two coders have been examined and confirmed. The results of the analysis led to exploring142 main concepts, then in the form of 10 critical challenges related to the most components of the educational system including; learner, teacher, technology, financial and information resources, ethical considerations, university culture, classroom leadership, support system, learning effectiveness, and satisfaction of internal stakeholders. Finally, using a systematic approach, the mentioned challenges have been classified into three main dimensions of learning-teaching system such as; input, process, and output.