Designing an Effective Model of Virtual Education Using Artificial Intelligence in the Educational System of Islamic Azad Universities of West Azerbaijan Province

Mehdi  Tabarrok Soureh; Taghi  Mohammadi

Authors

Mehdi Tabarrok Soureh PhD Student, Department of Management, Ara.C., Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0002-2139-5200
Taghi Mohammadi Department of Management, Khoy.C., Islamic Azad University, Khoy, Iran https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1228-4579

Abstract

Higher education in the twenty first century has undergone extensive technological transformations. One of the most significant of these changes is the expansion of virtual education and its integration with modern technologies such as artificial intelligence. Virtual education is no longer merely an alternative to face to face instruction; rather, it has become a strategic approach within educational systems that can enhance learning quality, educational equity, and equal access to opportunities. Accordingly, the present study was conducted with the aim of designing an effective model of virtual education using artificial intelligence within the educational system of Islamic Azad Universities in West Azerbaijan Province. This research employed a sequential exploratory design, meaning that qualitative data were first collected and analyzed to identify the key dimensions and components. In the qualitative phase, the statistical population consisted of 15 experts in virtual education, educational technology, and key administrators of the Azad Universities in the province. Participants were selected based on criteria such as specialized knowledge, practical experience, credible research background, familiarity with the challenges and opportunities of virtual education, and the ability to provide analytical insights. Purposeful and snowball sampling methods were used until theoretical saturation was achieved. Data were collected through semi structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis with MAXQDA 11 software. The coding process consisted of three stages: open coding, axial coding, and selective coding. Ultimately, seven main dimensions of AI based virtual education effectiveness were identified: educational, technological, psychological, social, managerial, human, and organizational. Overall, the findings indicate that the effectiveness of AI based virtual education requires strategic synergy between data driven management, sustainable technological infrastructure, human capital empowerment, and organizational support. The proposed model can serve as a valid framework for the design, evaluation, and improvement of intelligent virtual education in Iranian universities.

References

Alam, A. (2022). Employing adaptive learning and intelligent tutoring robots for virtual classrooms and smart campuses: reforming education in the age of artificial intelligence. In Advanced computing and intelligent technologies: Proceedings of ICACIT 2022 (pp. 395-406). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-2980-9_32

Gligorea, I., Cioca, M., Oancea, R., Gorski, A. T., Gorski, H., & Tudorache, P. (2023). Adaptive learning using artificial intelligence in e-learning: A literature review. Education Sciences, 13(12), 1216. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13121216

Gundu, T. (2025). Strategies for E-Assessments in the Era of Generative Artificial Intelligence. The Electronic Journal of E-Learning, 22(7), 40-50. https://doi.org/10.34190/ejel.22.7.3477

Hayati, A., Hayati, E., Golshan, G., & Golshan, M. (2023). Investigating the Impact of Emerging Technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, and Online Education on Future Teaching and Learning Processes of Students. First International Conference on Sociology, Social Sciences, and Education with a Future-Oriented Approach, Bushehr.

Huang, J. S., S.; Liu, Y. A. (2021). A Review on Artificial Intelligence in Education. Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 10(3), 206. https://doi.org/10.36941/ajis-2021-0077

Khatib Zanjani, N., & Karimi, M. (2024). Identifying dimensions, components, and indicators of artificial intelligence functions in higher education using a meta-synthesis approach. Technology and Scholarship in Education.

Khlaif, Z. N. (2024). Rethinking Educational Assessment in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. 131-144. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-7255-5.ch005

Kravets, S., & Tokarchuk, O. (2024). Integration of Artificial Intelligence in the Educational Process of Agro Engineering Students. Engineering Energy Transport Aic(2(125)), 91-98. https://doi.org/10.37128/2520-6168-2024-2-10

Kumar, A. (2024). Artificial Intelligence in Education: Revolutionizing Teaching and Learning. JoAPE, 1(1), 64-68. https://doi.org/10.59966/joape.v1i1.1207

Lan, Y. (2024). Through tensions to identity-based motivations: Exploring teacher professional identity in Artificial Intelligence-enhanced teacher training. Teaching and Teacher Education, 151, 104736. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2024.104736

Leal Filho, W., Ribeiro, P. C. C., Mazutti, J., Lange Salvia, A., Bonato Marcolin, C., & Lima Silva Borsatto, J. M. (2024). Using Artificial Intelligence to Implement the UN Sustainable Development Goals at Higher Education Institutions. International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504509.2024.2327584

Nader, A. (2023). The Application of Artificial Intelligence in Teaching and Learning Based on a Systematic Literature Review. Dynamic Management and Business Analysis, 1(1), 59-71. https://doi.org/10.22034/dmbaj.2024.2023006.1022

Raissouni, D., Hrich, N., Reklaoui, K., & Eloualkadi, A. (2025). Advancing Towards an Educational Revolution: Artificial Intelligence's Contribution to Developing Soft Skills for Future Educators. In Proceedings of the E-Learning and Smart Engineering Systems (ELSES 2024) (Vol. 36, pp. 227). https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-408-2_17

Tahat, Z. Y., Habes, M., Hailat, K. M., Al Jwaniat, M. I., Safori, A., & Kamarudin, S. (2024). Attitudes of Students towards Press Coverage of E-Learning: An Empirical Study. In Business Analytical Capabilities and Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Analytics: Applications and Challenges in the Digital Era, Volume 1 (pp. 251-263). Springer Nature Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-56015-6_20

Tang, K. Y., Chang, C. Y., & Hwang, G. J. (2023). Trends in artificial intelligence-supported e-learning: A systematic review and co-citation network analysis (1998-2019). Interactive Learning Environments, 31(4), 2134-2152. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2021.1875001

Zafari, M., Esmaili, A., & Sadeghi-Niyarki, A. (2021). An overview of the applications of artificial intelligence and virtual reality in education. Educational Measurement and Evaluation Quarterly, 11(36), 71-92. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mostafa-Zafari/publication/362362167_An_Overview_of_the_Applications_of_Artificial_Intelligence_and_Virtual_Reality_in_Education/links/62e558339d410c5ff371f928/An-Overview-of-the-Applications-of-Artificial-Intelligence-and-Virtual-Reality-in-Education.pdf