Construction of the Concept of Online Education from the Perspective of Generation Z Girls (Case Study: Students of Kerman City in 2024)

علوم اجتماعی دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد

Article 6, Volume 22, Issue 1 - Serial Number 51, April 2025, Pages 153-184   

Document Type: Research

DOI: 10.22067/social.2025.92049.1606

Authors

Batool Seifoori^{* 1}; Abbas Ferdosi²

¹Assistant Professor, Department of Social Sciences, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran

²Instructor of the Department of Social Sciences, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the construction of the concept of online education from the perspective of Generation Z girls in Iran. Using thematic analysis, purposeful sampling, and semi-structured in-depth interviews, the subjective perceptions of 18 female students from Generation Z were examined. The data were analyzed using the Brown and Clark coding method and the validity of findings was established using the criteria of credibility, dependability, and confirmability. The findings revealed that online education, from the students' standpoint, is a multidimensional concept comprising six main themes and twelve sub-themes. The primary themes include flexibility and independence, technical development in online education, the use of the metaverse, the importance of a long-term perspective on online education, digital skills acquisition, and virtual social interaction. Students emphasized that online education, by enabling learning irrespective of a particular place or time, allows them to strike a balance between their studies and simultaneous employment. Furthermore, the advancement of educational technologies and access to necessary software and hardware enhance the quality of education. The adoption of the metaverse, as an emerging platform, holds huge potential for mitigating feelings of isolation and improving interactivity. Students stressed that online education should not be viewed as a temporary solution but rather as an integral part of the country's long-term educational system. The final theme of the research was "technology-based online education, quality, and interaction." This paper can serve lay the ground for future studies and the improvement of educational policies in the field of online education.
 
 

Keywords

Online Education; Generation Z; Technological Development; Virtual Interaction; Educational Quality

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