RESEARCH PAPER TEMPLATE

North American University

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

Name: Mabel Ortiz Date: 10/22/2017

Topic Selected:
What does the research say about advantages and disadvantages of distance education?

1. LITERATURE REVIEW:

Brief Literature Review:

Background,

A research stated that online education has been experience a higher grow in 2006 and it have

been increasing about 9.7% since then (Harrell, L. 2013).

Definition,

According to Harrell (2013), online education utilizes the Internet for the teaching of the

course and everything related such as the assignments, quizzes, also, the communication

between the students and teacher is electronically. Furthermore, educators are utilizing

different tools in order to give the classes online such as, slides presentations, interactive

online -activities, audio and video files, live chat sessions, online discussions, video

conferences and others.

Advantages of Distance education

The advantage in taking online education is divided into four groups, Convenience, High

quality dialogue learner, Less Expensive, and Technology.

 1. Convenience,

The research indicates that students will not have to travel to the campus in order to take

their classes, the students can take the class in the comfort of their home, or whatever the

students decide to take the course, so the geography location is not a problem (Kumar 2015).

Besides, it offers flexibility for those students that have to work at the same time. For

example, Vinisky & Saxe (2016) mentioned as personal experience that they had to do

fieldwork hours in order to certificate, so the online course gave them the time to put in

practice the learning, also, they were able to communicate with others students all over

Canada and United states that were taking the same course

Also, Harrell (2013) mention it allows students access to courses that they will not be

able to take because of personal circumstances such as the distance and other issues. For

example, a research demonstrate that Colleges athletes have benefits in taking courses

online, otherwise with the training and travel will not be possible to complete a secondary-

education, according to NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) about 85% of

Athletes succeed in graduating using online resources (Bates & LaBrecque, 2017).

2. High quality dialog Learner,

As well, Kumar (2015) mentioned that students can express better in writing than verbally,

also students will take more careful in answering a comment or discussion before submitting.

3. Less expensive,
In his article, Pappas (2015) said that of the benefits of having classes online is that students

can save money because they will not have to pay for the cost of traveling to the campus or

housing, at the same time, the students can work and take classes.

4. Technology, Pappas (2015) conclude that students can access the course anywhere if they

have access to a computer, also, using their smartphones. The online course will provide an

opportunity to learn new technology and practicing the use of software and other online tools.

Additionally, students in online courses can participate in the class 24 hours and 7 days a

week providing and submitting assignments.

Disadvantages of Distance education

Online education has some disadvantages such as limited social interaction,

Technology issues, Effectiveness of Assessments, and too much time in front a computer.

1. Limited of Social interaction, a research mentioned that this is a major disadvantage

for taking online classes because the student will lack of physical interaction, face to

face, with the teacher and classmates. Furthermore, it will be difficult for the teacher

and student to create a link, in order words, the students will not feel comfortable

asking questions or concerns about subjects related to the classes. Also, it will be

difficult to create among the students a sense of community, where they can share and

chat with others. (Vinisky & Saxe 2016). Additionally, Papas (2015) said that it is

impersonal because interactions online will not replace human contact.

2. Technology issues,

Moreover, Kumar (2015) mentioned about this that some Technological problems can

appear for having online classes, such as computer boot-up time, additional cost for
 software programs and connections to the internet if you desire for high-speed internet.

Besides, the lack of knowledge of technology or the lack of sufficient skills to use online

resources might interfere with the success in taking the course (Harrell, L. 2013).

3. Effectiveness of Assessments,

About this Kumar (2015) mentioned that it is difficult for the instructor to measure

the results of the instruction, in other words, are students learning what instructor is saying

that they should be learning? Similarly, Pappas (2015) stated in his article that some people

might need personal contact with educators in order to learn successfully, also, having a

constructive feedback is other problem because some problems and questions might be

difficult to be addressed online, and this make learners to feel lack of support and

reassurance.

4. Too much time spent in front of a computer screen may be harmful.

Finally, one last issue about online classes, Kumar (2015) mentioned that the frequently

use of the computer or tablet might have bad consequences such as poor vision, strain

injuries, and other physical problems.

2. REFLECTION:

Reflection:

I agreed in some advantage and disadvantages regarding online education. I think it is very

convenient because it is flexible and allows the student to learn in the comfort of the home.

Also, it saves expenses for the travel in going to the campus, saves money to the student in
gas, toll, and food. On the other hand, I agree with the problem that the student will have to

spend a lot of time in front the computer. Moreover, in my personal experience, I prefer

online classes for some subjects to study because is more suitable to take them online. For

example, subjects that the professor only give the student lectures such as history, English,

and other classes, in my case I preferred to read in my own space where I can concentrate in

the topic without distractions. On the other hand, classes that require the constant practice,

exercises and immediate feedback by the Professor such as math, arts, and others related

should be face to face in the classroom, otherwise, it will be difficult to understand it online,

or have a proper feedback from the teacher. As well, in my point of view having online

classes will help me in my future career as a teacher for the reason that I will become more

proficient in the use of new technology, software, and online tools, therefore this will help me

to have the experience as a student, and later as a teacher, finally, I will know what is the

better way to teach the lesson to the students in order to improve.

3. REFERENCES:

References:

Bates, R. r., & LaBrecque, B. b. (2017). Distance Learning: A Game Changer. Online Journal

of Distance Learning Administration, 20(2), 1-10.

Harrell, L. (2013). A Learner Centered Approach to Online Education. Retrieve from

http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e000xna&AN=590732&site

=ehost-live
Kumar, D. (2017, July 05). Pros and Cons of Online Education. Retrieved October 18, 2017,

from https://www.ies.ncsu.edu/resources/white-papers/pros-and-cons-of-online-

education/

Pappas, C. (2017, August 01). Advantages and Possible Limitations of Online Learning.

Retrieved October 18, 2017, from https://elearningindustry.com/advantages-and-

possible-limitations-of-online-learning

Vininsky, H. h., & SAXE, A. a. (2016). The best of both worlds: a proposal for hybrid

teacher education. McGill Journal of Education, 51(3), 1187-1196.