Role of Virtual Education in Higher Education from the View of Existence Philosophy

Abstract

Problem statement: The problem of present study is to investigate the role and place of virtual education in attainment of educational goals by students which can be deduced from views by prominent existence philosophers. Approach: The research methods used are qualitative content analysis as well as practical syllogism. Results: Regarding the first goal, attending to individuality and students’ authenticity, it is explained that virtual education provides many chances for study, job and future life, but reviving, maintaining and developing the traditions and social and authentic culture that is specific to a community are possible through negotiation and social interactions like face to face interaction between teacher and students. Regarding the second goal, passing from nihilism, the conscious and free cooperation of student necessitates creating chances for critically questioning the process of virtual education. To this aim, it is essential to consider virtual education as means and it should not be changed into educational goal or its determinant. Conclusion/Recommendations: In the discussion and conclusion also the implications of the results of the study such as the priority of questioning technological paradigm over questioning the manner of reforms by employing it and taking a holistic view in application of IT instead of a one-dimensional technical view are presented.