Identification and Categorization of Skills Required for Virtual Student

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Abstract

The purpose of this survey is provision of a conceptual model for identification andcategorization of skills required for virtual student. Special environment of virtuallearning has posed inevitable necessities which should be considered: skills requiredfor virtual student is identified and categorized. Two main questions of the researchinclude: 1- What properties does have virtual learning environment? 2- What skillsvirtual student should have in order to be successful in such environment? Descriptive-analytic method was used in the first and second steps of research and in thethird step, content analysis was applied. searching related resources in the first andsecond steps, virtual learning environment was examined as binding factor for typeof required skill and in third one, the researches published (2001-2010) in 5 ISIholderpublication related to skills related to virtual student were extracted and contentlyanalyzed. Findings showed that 8 significant properties of virtual learningenvironment including technological base of virtual environment, access to differentsoftware and tools, access to various information sources, use of social software,ceaseless communication, access to tutorial and multimedia content, having differentchoices and non-verbal interactions, create some necessities so students in orderto be accepted in virtual courses should have nine skills including skill in computerapplication, skills in use of internet tools, problem solving, critical thought, inquiry,application of methods of study and learning, metacognitive skill, self-navigation,and skill in virtual communication. In this conceptual model, the relation between 8properties of virtual learning environment and their influenced necessities with nineskills required for virtual student is mentioned and shown.

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