RESEARCH PAPER

North American University

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

Name: Zumrut Dede Date: 7/28/2019

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:

Face-to-face or not? According to National Education Association (NEA) (2019), the term
"distance education" means a form of education in which courses are delivered via the Internet (or
other forms of digital technologies that may evolve from the Internet that exists today) without
face-to-face interaction between student and instructor. Distance education has become popular
recently and by opening new opportunities for elementary, secondary, higher education and
especially for the ones who are not able to get in-class or face-to-face education. This education
system has its both advantages and disadvantages so, has become an important issue for the
researchers and experts.

A study by Oliveira, Penedo and Pereira (2018) aims to identify the main advantages and
disadvantages of distance education for both students and the educational enterprise. The
methodological procedure chosen was an exploratory case study aiming at an analysis of how
effective this modality can be in relation to other traditional forms of teaching.

Another study by Gilbert (2015) has some similar and additional findings too.
The paper explores whether high school students could benefit from online courses and examines
the potential challenges and drawbacks of online coursework. This paper raises questions about
how to best support high school students enrolled in an online course.
Dumbauld, (StraighterLine Blog,2017) says “the benefits of online learning can't be beaten when it
comes to earning your college degree” and counts many benefits of distance education that are
parallel with the findings of Oliveira, Penedo and Pereira from their study.

According to Hutt (ezTalks, 2017), the appeal of distance learning is definitely there, since most
people consider themselves to be far too busy for standard classes. Being able to take your classes
when you're ready for them, without having to sit in a specific classroom at any specific university
is a great convenience, but there are several difficulties that go along with the process. The
drawbacks he mentions are similar with the findings of Oliveira, Penedo and Pereira in their study.

In conclusion, distance education is a recent education system that has opened new doors in
different education levels to so many people who cannot afford face-to-face education because of
different reasons. It is an expanding system with its advantages and disadvantages, which seems it
will continue being an important issue of research.

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 has entered our lives recently and keeps expanding and becoming more and
more popular with the developments in technology. I believe distance education is a great
opportunity for so many people and for me as a distance education student. Unfortunately,
everybody cannot get the education as they want. Sometimes distance, sometimes family issues
like having a baby, sometimes health issues can be a problem behind this. It was the distance and
transportation for me. So, distance education gave me the opportunity of doing a master’s program.

It is true that distance education has many advantages and some disadvantages at the same time. It
should not be considered as a replacement of traditional face to face education especially for the
young ones. “When properly used, distance education can enrich and enhance the education
provided to students, but distance education is not an alternative to traditional education that can in
all respects and in all contexts fulfill the mission of traditional education. In addition to providing
instruction in academic subjects, a traditional education in a public elementary/secondary school is
designed to prepare students for citizenship by instilling certain fundamental democratic values; to
expose students to wide-ranging political, religious, and cultural views; to teach them tolerance and
respect for those different from themselves; and to help students develop a sense of community
”states the National Education Association (2019).I totally agree with it. It does not provide the
same interaction of a classroom. In addition, it needs discipline as the individual has to do all the
work alone. However, in my opinion, the advantages are strong enough to consider getting distance
education when needed. I believe the developments in technology will minimize the drawbacks and
this education system will be much more effective in future.

There are some points that the institutions which provide distance education should consider. As
the study of Oliveira, Penedo and Pereira shows the majority of teachers/ instructors are not trained
to give online education and it is still not considered as effective as the traditional education by
most people in addition to the drawbacks I mentioned. So, the institutions should move wisely in
application of this great opportunity without turning it to be a reason of losing their quality.
Accessibility and quality of the Internet and ICT tools and providing a strong program are two
important issues that the schools or institutions need to pay attention. For example, while this type
of education is profitable because it enables service to a greater number of students, a poor-quality
program may cause a high rate of student loss. Because of this, a constant assessment of the costs
and the quality of such education should be carried out by educational institutions. (Oliveira&
Penedo & Pereira, 2018).

I am planning to work as a school counselor after completing my master’s program. The issue of
distance education and my research on benefits and drawbacks of this issue has an importance of
twice more. Because, it is the counselor’s duty to guide the students while making decisions about
their current or future education. There may be students who are planning to change to online
education during elementary/secondary/high school or during university and after. Having the
knowledge and a research source about this education type will be a guide to me in being a guide to
the students.

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:

1. http://www.nea.org/home/34765.htm

2. Martins Santana de Oliveira, Mayra & Penedo, Antonio & Pereira, Vinícius. (2018). Distance
education: advantages and disadvantages of the point of view of education and society.
Dialogia. 139-152. 10.5585/dialogia.N29.7661. Retrieved from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328032761_Distance_education_advantages_and_
disadvantages_of_the_point_of_view_of_education_and_society

3. Gilbert, Brittany, "Online Learning Revealing the Benefits and Challenges" (2015). Education
Masters.Paper 303 . Retrieved from
https://fisherpub.sjfc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1304&context=education_ETD_masters

4. https://www.straighterline.com/blog/34-top-secret-benefits-of-studying-online/
5. https://www.eztalks.com/elearning/top-10-disadvantages-of-distance-learning.html