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This study investigates and fully identifies the challenges of the Iranian e-learning system. The approach was qualitative and the method was research synthesis. The statistical population consisted of studies from 2006 to 2019 in the field of challenges of the e-learning system of Iran collected with specific keywords from the country’s databases. A total of 48 studies were identified as relevant. They were screened in stages and evaluated based on their title, abstract, and content. The final 19 articles selected underwent content analysis, revealing that Iran’s e-learning system faces problems in eight dimensions: legal, human, educational, technological, sociocultural, support, economic, and managerial-organizational. The results of the analysis could serve as a model for countries with similar technology infrastructure and cultural features wishing to improve their e-learning systems.

Background: Assessment is one of the most important elements of any educational system, including the e-learning. Formative assessment is also a significant type of assessment, which plays a very important role in identifying students’ strengths and weaknesses and helping to improve learning in the e-learning system. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify weaknesses of formative assessment in the e-learning management system of Iran (case study: Shahid Beheshti University). Methods: The present study was qualitative research. The participants of the study consisted of the students of the e-learning Center of Shahid Beheshti University of Iran, 15 of whom were selected using a purposive sampling method. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Content analysis was also used to analyze the data. Results: Formative assessment in the e-learning management system of Shahid Beheshti University suffers from eleven substantial weaknesses: weakness in technology infrastructure resources, not using other formative assessment tools, weakness in giving and receiving feedback, inability to authenticate, weakness in class presentations, weakness in exercises and projects, weakness in online tests, weakness in discussions, inattention to formative assessment, restrictions on uploading assignments and activities, and observance of the ratio of teachers to students. Conclusions: The above weaknesses should be taken into consideration for the improvement of formative assessment, student learning, and the status quo.

Background: Evaluation is an inherent element of the teaching-learning process and is influenced by several factors. Objectives: The present study aimed to identify the influential factors in the effective implementation of evaluation in the teaching-learning process in the Iranian higher education system. Methods: This study was conducted using the synthesis method and a qualitative approach. The sample population included all the national studies focused on the influential factors in the evaluation of the teaching-learning process during 2000 - 2018. In total, 36 studies were selected, and after several screening stages, 10 studies that were more relevant to the subject matter were selected as the research sample based on the review of the titles, abstracts, and research content. The database search was performed using keywords such as ‘factors/indicators affecting the evaluation of students’ and ‘teachers/implementation of evaluation’. The databases included CIVILICA, Magiran, Elmnet, Noormags, and SID. The research data were extracted and analyzed using the content analysis method. Results: After data analysis, the influential factors in the implementation of evaluation were classified into two dimensions, five factors, and 29 indicators, including the structural dimension (conditions and environment of evaluation, educational system, and evaluation system) and behavioral dimension (teachers and students). Conclusions: The results of the data analysis led to the identification of the influential factors in the effective implementation of the teaching-learning process evaluation in the Iranian higher education system as a model.