RESEARCH PAPER TEMPLATE

North American University

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

Name:______Mustafa Karatas_______ Date: _____6/11/17________

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:

Technology development brought flexibility for the education.

Flexibility is one of the important advantage of the distance education. For example,

pregnant, disable, or if you have a job and your schedule does not permit you to get a

classes for higher level jobs, you can finish your degree. There is no need for giving

break or quitting job for higher level education. Also, you can go your own pace and

where and when to study the classes.

Another advantage of the distance education is that students get interaction through chat

and email. They can discuss, give a feedback each other, help each other, and share their
issues. Discussion are students-driven and students are motivated. Since the online class

sizes are small students get to know each other and also make friends. Discussion are

students-driven and students are motivated.

You may not have chance to see well-known people in the class but you may interact

them via email. Also you can get your degree in any part of the world. This is beneficial

for English learners. According to the article, even though if you live in China, you can

get your degree in the USA. Students they do not need to get visa, pay for travelling, pay

for lodging, and they can have better environment taking English classes from native

English spoken teachers.

Another great benefit is distance education is cheaper than traditional education. Students

do not need to pay for housing, commuting. Since students learn at your pace and have

flexible schedule, they get a job easily.

There are also some limitations for distance education such as internet connection problems,

isolation problems, distractions, accreditation problems.

Firstly, online classes require stable connections. When you lost the internet connection during a

test, you might be frustrated with problems.

Secondly, there is no face-to-face interaction this causes a sense of isolation. Mort says: It is

impossible to see the body kinetics, facial expression, posture, and tone of voice of other students

or instructor. This can result misunderstanding of the speakers intent. (Galer, S.1999).
 Lastly, there are accreditation problems. Some big companies are accepting nominees if

their degree. Universities and colleges ensure that their distance learning programs and

qualifications are of the same high quality as campus-based programs.

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:

In my opinion, the advantages weighs more than the disadvantages. I am working during

the weekdays. It is impossible for me to take campus based classes. I need to earn

money to get my degree and my living. I agree there are quite few advantages that I am

getting benefit of it. For example, as a teacher sometimes I might have emergency but I

can still attend my webinar anywhere I want with my smart phone. Two months ago. One

of my friend engaged, he invited me to his engagement to Dallas. I hesitated a lot then I

decide to go but I finished my final project in the car while my friends were driving thanks

to the hotspot. Technology are making online platforms user friendly and access easier.

For example, I can see the feedback, check my grades, access limitless resources from

school library through Moodle. I am generally precaution about my assignment. I do not

like to wait until last minute. This helped me to reduce the technical difficulties with

submission. I agree that online classes making people isolated. From my experience, I

took three classes last semester. I was doing my work related during the weekdays and

during the weekend I was completing my assignments. I stayed overnight a lot. It paid off

but I could not spend enough time with my wife and friends.
Online master makes me organized and motivated for taking more classroom online.

After I finish my master degree. I would like to complete another online course(s). My

plan is getting GT certified teacher. I started GT program and I do not have enough

courage to finish it but I am ready now. Online master makes me organized and

motivated for taking more classroom online. Time is also very valuable for me and some

classes may not offered in my region but I know that I can take it from anywhere in the

world for my needs. For my students, I can suggest online courses such as EdX or Khan

Academy for taking some classes on their own get some skills for their future careers. All

in all, The demand for online classes are increasing. I believe in the future, online

classes might replace many campus based classes.

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:
Galer, S. (1999). Distance learning the high-tech way. Computing Japan, 6(8), 30.

Http://www.ijalel.org/pdf/573.pdf. (2014). International Journal of Applied Linguistics &

English Literature, 4(1). doi:10.7575/aiac.ijalel.v.4n.1p.89

Bibliography. (n.d.). Retrieved June 11, 2017, from

http://www.qcc.cuny.edu/SocialSciences/ppecorino/China-QCC-DE/Advantages-
Disadvantages-DE.html

Advantages and Disadvantages Why Choose Distance Learning? (n.d.). Retrieved June
11, 2017, from https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/distance-
learning/advantages-and-disadvantages-%E2%80%93-why-choose-distance-learning/

Bijeesh, N. A. (n.d.). Advantages and Disadvantages of Distance Learning. Retrieved

June 11, 2017, from http://www.indiaeducation.net/online-education/articles/advantages-
and-disadvantages-of-distance-learning.html