Student Support System in Virtual Learning Environment for Medical Education: McKenna Content Analysis Method

Abstract Background: Student support services are a broad and important concept in education, each of which is related to a specific set of hypotheses related to the subject. This lack of theoretical and conceptual ambiguity has led to poor understanding and communication between researchers and policymakers and problems in comparing studies in different fields. The purpose of this study is to explain the student support system in virtual learning environment for medical education.Methods: This study was a qualitative research. An extensive search in scientific databases was carried out based on predetermined strategies, and 53 documents were reviewed from 1996 until 2019. Data were analyzed based on Hugh McKenna’s nine-step approach. Results: According to the literature review, determining the support services of students in virtual learning, providing academic and non-academic services is the responsibility of students' cognitive, emotional and social needs. These services lead to greater student participation in the process of self-learning and academic achievement, which is done at three levels: (pre-program, learning process and post-graduate support services). Student support services were categorized into conceptual areas (level, dimensions, and purpose) and the relationship between these conceptual areas was identified.Conclusions: Based on the findings of this study, student support services in virtual learning can be divided into two categories: academic and non-academic with relevant subcomponents. It is recommended that educators and policy makers use these results to facilitate student support for different types of virtual learning.