Structural Equation Model of Perceived Communication Skills and Educational Performance in Online Environments: The Role of Virtual Education and Computer Games

Background: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the correlation between perceived communication skills and educational performance with the mediating role of virtual education and computer games in second-year high school students of Kerman City, Iran.Methods: The research method used descriptive correlation, and the statistical population of the research was all students in the second year of high school in Kerman City, which was carried out between September ۲۰۲۱ and June ۲۰۲۲. Based on Morgan's sampling table, ۲۹۱ people were selected by multi-stage cluster sampling, and they answered the questionnaires assessing the communication skills developed by Jerabek (۲۰۰۴), the educational performance test of Pham and Taylor (۱۹۹۹), the technology acceptance model (۱۹۸۶), and a researcher-made questionnaire on the computer games. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling, with a statistical significance level set at ۵%.Results: The results revealed a significant correlation between communication skills and educational performance and virtual education, particularly highlighting the importance of understanding verbal and nonverbal messages. Understanding of verbal and nonverbal messages positively influenced educational performance (γ=۰.۱۴۱, p=۰.۰۲۵) and virtual education (γ=۰.۲۰۸, p=۰.۰۰۱), while assertiveness showed a strong positive correlation with both educational performance (γ=۰.۱۹۷, p=۰.۰۰۲) and virtual education (γ=۰.۲۳۳, p=۰.۰۰۱). However, insights into the communication process did not demonstrate a significant correlation in these areas. In contrast, the analysis of computer games revealed a negative correlation with determined communication (γ=-۰.۳۵۴, p=۰.۰۰۱) and no significant correlation between other components on educational performance (β=-۰.۰۹۸, p=۰.۰۷۸). Additionally, virtual education had a positive and significant direct correlation with educational performance (β=۰.۲۷۶, p=۰.۰۰۱).Conclusion: Virtual education enables students to study independently while facilitating peer interaction. Additionally, computer games have been shown to enhance concentration and attention, strengthen mathematical skills, and improve logical reasoning, ultimately leading to improved educational performance.

کلیدواژه ها:

education ، Distance ، Communication skills ، Video games ، Educational Performance