RESEARCH PAPER TEMPLATE

North American University

Education Department
M.Ed. in EDLE & CUIN
EDUC 5324: INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGY INTO EDUCATION
Name: ____Mehmet Keles______

Date: __06/19/2016__

Topic Selected: Topic 3: What does the research say about advantages and
disadvantages of distance education?
1. LITERATURE REVIEW:
What does the literature/research say about this issue/topic? By using NAU
Library or Online Search engines, conduct a literature review.

You need to include 5 different sources (book, journal article, web article
etc.) in your review. Try to use current sources as much as possible.

You need to summarize and synthesize your sources by discussing a

common theme or issue.

You don't need to critique your sources

You don't need to evaluate your sources (if the sources are trustworthy,
weather the author has a bias or not)

You need to provide background information such as history and

definitions

Brief Literature Review:

Distance education is described as instructional delivery that takes place when
learners and teachers are separated throughout the learning process by time and
physical distance (Vahid, 1999). Historically, the term distance education was
used in other countries while, within the United States. It was called
correspondence study (Froke, 1994). Correspondence education began in the
United States in 1874 at Illinois Wesleyan University (Grimes, 1993). In 1892, the
University of Wisconsin used the term correspondence course in its catalogue.
This is why the year 1892 is now considered to be the birth date of distance
education in the United States (University of Michigan, 1995).
Researches are made show that there are some advantages and disadvantages
of distance education. Research indicates that distance education can provide
students with opportunities for learning through alternatives to regular class
meetings. Furthermore, research reveals that for some students distance
education allows access to education for those who are unable to attend an
educational establishment (Vahid, 1999).
One key advantage of this process is improved access to education. Distance
learning offers greater flexibility and fewer time constraints. As a result, the

student typically continues to work and, therefore, experiences less financial

hardship. Another advantage is that knowledge and skills being learned can be
applied directly to the student's current job. Course quality control is also better in
a distance course. Weak instructor preparation or knowledge is very "visible" in a
distance learning environment--it is easier to "fake it" in a classroom (Kearsley
and Lynch 191+).
Greg Kearsley, a professor of instructional technology and distance education
states that there is clear evidence that distance education can be as successful
as classroom-based instruction. Kearsley also suggests that distance education
minimizes the prejudice that often arises in face-to-face settings. Unless
someone deliberately reveals personal information, participants have no idea
about the age, gender, ethnic background, or physical characteristics of others
on line. The discussions that ensue are about as free of socio-cultural bias as
possible. Distance education, in short, can be more stimulating, and encourage
more critical reasoning, than the traditional large lecture class, because it allows
the kind of interaction that takes place most fully in small-group settings.
According to researchers and their articles, the advantages of distance education
can be make a list as below:

Lots of flexibility: Live anywhere, study from anywhere while pursuing the
education of your choice.
No commuting: Distance learning does not require commuting, and this
saves your money and time.
Numerous choices for schools and accessibility
Lowered costs: Prices for online courses are generally cheaper than their
on-campus counterparts

Although research has shown that "no significant difference" exists between the
outcomes of distance and traditional learning, research has shown a variance in
student attitudes and satisfaction levels. Student attitude and satisfaction are
important because the overall learning experience greatly affects the total
learning that occurs (Johnstone 49+).
The importance of social needs and aspects of learning should not be minimized.
Students learn as much from fellow students and through informal contact with
instructors as they do through formal instruction. Although telephone
conversations and e-mail can help fulfill the need for interaction, those with a
high need for face-to-face interaction may find distance education less-fulfilling
than traditional classroom education (Fender, 1999).
A study, conducted by the Sloan Center for Asynchronous Learning
Environments at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign states that
distance learning does not necessarily produce more contact with professors--or
better outcomes. The on-line course can be as abused as the traditional survey
class, and the center warns against simply using teaching assistants and adjunct
professors to teach massive on-line classes. Instead, it suggests, institutions
should tap the potential of the on-line environment to foster small-group
interaction.

So, according to researchers and their articles, the disadvantages of distance

education can be make a list as below:
Lack of social interaction: Distance learners may feel isolated or miss that
social physical interaction that comes with attending a traditional
classroom
Format isnt ideal for all learners
Some employers dont accept online degrees: Distance learning degrees
may not be acknowledged by all employers.
Not all courses required to complete the degree may be offered online: It
makes sense that more practical majors like nursing arent offered entirely
online, after all, part of the degree is learning to work directly with patients.
2. REFLECTION:

What is your personal opinion on this issue? Do you agree with the
research? If you agree or disagree, please explain why?
Provide examples/experiences regarding this issue from school
perspective or If you are not working in a school, from your profession. Be
specific with your examples. You can mention software/hardware names,
specific methods that you plan to use, etc.
How would you implement this research in your career? (At least 1
paragraph)

Reflection:
Technology has been developing rapidly, and we need to apply technology into every
area. Education is the one of the areas. I agree with the researches that support
distance education. Distance education provides many opportunities to students
especially in rural areas. They can reach information easily. People can have a better
chance to be successful in their life and studies. I know a school provides distance
education from elementary to high school. When I checked their website, I saw a
comment from a student about her school. It was showing to me the importance of
distance education. The student writes the comment was a gymnast. She was using her
day time for her practice to achieve her goals in gymnastic, and She was getting her
education evening. That is way she can be successful in her life and studies.
I am a physics teacher, and I do a lot of experiment. Nowadays, I started to use some
online virtual experiments in my class. The name of the website is PHET which provides
interactive simulations for science and math. There are many different simulations for
different topics. Whenever use this website for experiments, I get good feedbacks from
my students. This kind of activity makes my job easier. There is no need to order any
materials, and there is no need to spend any time for preparation. Students go to their
laptops, and they perform experiment by looking at their guide. After that I thought
Physics could be taught online.
I have already known the importance of the distance learning in my life. I also get my
master degree in education from an online course. After reading all these articles, I am
very sure about the effectiveness of distance education. I dont know, maybe one day I
can find myself as teacher gives instruction to students in an online environment.

3. REFERENCES:

Cite at least 5 References in APA.

You may use http://www.citationmachine.net/apa/cite-a-journal for citing
your sources in APA style.

References:
Motamedi, V. (1999). An Overall View of Distance Education in the United States.
Trinkle, D. 1. (1999). Distance education: a means to an end, no more, no less.
Chronicle Of Higher Education, 45(48), A60.
Fender, D. L. (1999). Distance Education. Professional Safety, 44(10), 26.
The International Association for Distance Learning. (n.d.). Retrieved June 19, 2016,
from http://www.iadl.org.uk/Article20.htm
Advantages and Disadvantages of Distance Learning. (n.d.). Retrieved June 19, 2016,
from http://www.distance-learning-college-guide.com/advantage-and-disadvantage-ofdistance-learning.html