RESEARCH PAPER TEMPLATE

North American University

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

Date: _October 23, 2016_____________

Topic Selected:
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, which is an education model with many applications without any
limit of time and place, is dated back to 1873 in higher education that was done via US
mail back then(Larreamendy-Joerns & Lein- hardt, 2006). With the advancement of
technology (computers and internet), distance learning is switching to e-learning
which results in a transformation of traditional learning. Tallent-Runnels et al. (2006)
describes e-learning as instruction by using electronically mediated or facilitated
software. Blended learning is a middle ground between the traditional learning and elearning (Dumitrescu, 2013).
Distance education has several advantages, which main ones are listed below, but there
are also some disadvantages, if not planned appropriately. One of the disadvantages is
that it is challenging for foreign students due to lack of sufficient language skills (Cosar,
2015).
The main advantages of distance education are:
1. Provides education to the ones who otherwise dont have access due to work,
family, or physical limitations.
2. Flexibility in terms of time and place. It is learned centered.
3. Access to global resources and experts via technology while increasing
technology competencies for instructors and learners.
4. Allows for the internationalization of learning opportunities.

Below are the main disadvantages:

1. Distance education is not for everyone; specifically not for undisciplined students
nor inflexible instructors.
2. Time and frustration involved in learning the technology.
3. Occasional technology and internet downtimes.
4. Lag time between student input and feedback.
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:
Distance education brings another dimension to education. Education is no more simply
lecturing in a classroom. With the current technology (computers and internet), there are
many opportunities that distance education can offer. I agree with the research. We
should benefit from distance education both in K-12 and higher education.
There are limitless online education tools. These include videos, games, software, and
much more. For example, Khan Academy is an online learning platform. Prerecorded
videos are available for all grades and subjects. Students can watch anytime, anywhere.
From my personal experience, I have been enjoying the fully online masters program.
After years, I had the opportunity to pursue a degree despite my busy work schedule
and family responsibilities. With the flexibility I have due to the online program, I can
manage my education as well as work and family.
As an educator, I understand that distance/online education, or e-learning is very
important in todays world of technology. I have to find ways to make it more part of my
educational experience. I can enrich my lessons with online resources. By using blended
learning I can use distance education besides traditional teaching methods. I believe
both have benefits and none should be sacrificed for the other.
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:
Advantages and Disadvantages of Distance Learning. (n.d.). Retrieved October 23,
2016, from http://www.qcc.cuny.edu/SocialSciences/ppecorino/China-QCCDE/Advantages-Disadvantages-DE.html
Cosar, M. (2015). Perspectives of foreign students towards distance
education. International Journal on New Trends in Education and Their
Implications, 6(3), 186-193.
Dumitrescu, V. M. (2013). The effectiveness of combining e-learning and classroom

interaction in distance education at the Bucharest Academy of Economic

Studies. The 9th International Scientific Conference ELearning and Software for
Education Bucharest, April 25-26, 2013, 537-542.
Kern, J.M. (2010). The road to increasing distance education at smaller colleges and
universities. Distance learning, 7(4), 75-81.
Larreamendy-Joerns, J., & Leinhardt, G. (2006). Going the distance with online
education. Review of Educational Research, 76(4), 567-605.
Tallent-Runnels, M. K., Thomas, J. A., Lan, W. Y., Cooper, S., Ahern, T. C., Shaw, S.
M., & Liu, X. (2006). Teaching courses online: A review of the research. Review of
Educational Research, 76(1), 93-135.