Rita Mojtahedzadeh - MD, MPH, PhD, Assistant Professor, PhD in Distance Learning Planning, Virtual School, Center for Excellence in E-Learning in Medical Education, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
Atekeh Mousavi - MSc in E-Learning Planning in Medical Sciences, Virtual School, Center for Excellence in E-Learning in Medical Education, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
Mandana Shirazi - PhD, Associate Professor, PhD in Medical Education, Educational Development Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
Aeen Mohammadi - MD, MPH, PhD, Assistant Professor, PhD in Medical Education, Virtual School, Center for Excellence in E-Learning in Medical Education, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Background Because of the developments and advancements in information technology (IT), unparalleled opportunities have been provided in electronic arenas; among them, electronic learning (e-learning) systems have brought attention to the facilitation of education. Since educational environment is a factor influencing the success of educational programs, the current study aims at evaluating the factors that create the educational atmosphere in cyberspace. Methods The current study employed a qualitative content analysis approach and a targeted sampling method. A total of ۱۱ students and ۱۳ faculty members were recruited by a semi-structured interview in ۲۰۱۵. The interviews were continued separately for both students and lecturers up to the saturation of sample size. After the interview data were qualitatively analyzed. Results After the data analysis, ۶۸۵ codes were extracted out of the qualitative data, which were reevaluated in several stages and classified into ۳۸ subcategories. Then, ۱۳ categories and ۶ domains (The status of virtual education, learner support, teaching skills, evaluation, professionalism and professional ethics, and self-efficacy) were created. Conclusions Since the educational environment is an inseparable part of a curriculum, the factors creating an educational atmosphere in cyberspace are critically important and necessary for the qualitative and quantitative evaluations of the curriculum and prediction of educational outcomes.

Educational atmosphere, Cyberspace, Qualitative study, content analysis