Instructional Challenges in the E-Learning Management System During the COVID-19 Pandemic (from the Perspective of Professors in University of Tabriz)

The aim of this study was to identify the instructional challenges in the e-learning management system during the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of professors in University of Tabriz.

The method of this research is descriptive-survey. The statistical population of the research included of all professors of University of Tabriz in the second semester of the academic year 2020- 2021, of which 211 professors were selected as a sample size based on Krejcie and Morgan Table and using the cluster random sampling method from four groups of technical-engineering, humanities, basic sciences, and agriculture. Data collection tool is researcher-made questionnaire that assess the views of professors on the challenges of instruction in the e-learning management system. The face validity of questionnaire was confirmed by professors and experts in the field of educational sciences, and its construct validity was also determined through confirmatory factor analysis. Cronbach's alpha was used to determine the reliability of the research tool, and its coefficient was calculated as 0.907. The data were analyzed using one-sample T-test and Friedman's test.

The results showed that dimensions of infrastructure, support, attitude, and access are the most important instructional challenges in the e-learning management system of University of Tabriz from the perspective of professors.

It is recommended that University of Tabriz maximize the professors’ desirable use of the electronic learning management system by providing the necessary infrastructure. Furthermore, the University of Tabriz to overcome barriers and challenges in learning management systems, with actions such as establishing technical, instructional, and human support groups to provide necessary assistance to professors in urgent situations, preparing programs to change professors’ attitudes towards electronic learning, and facilitating professors’ access to the electronic learning management system.