RESEARCH PAPER TEMPLATE

North American University

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

Date: 6/18/2016

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 learning is a method of learning that doesnt require you to attend
classes, stick to timetables and meet deadlines. It's a flexible type of learning, using
a combination of different methods to deliver education without requiring you to go
to a school or college. (National Extension College. (n.d.). Retrieved June 17, 2016,
from https://www.nec.ac.uk/content/distance-learning-explained)

Even though rural schools are finding it necessary to use distance education, there
exists a debate about whether distance education is as effective as traditional face-to-face
education. There have been a number of studies on this question, including meta-analyses
on the large range of distance effectiveness studies.
According to the studies, We can list the advantages and disadvantages of the
distance learning.

Advantages:
Advantage #1: Flexibility, Distance learning can take place anywhere and anytime
Distance Learning technologies have broken the down the barrier of time and space. With
new technologies, learning can take place any time and anywhere in the world. Students
in K-12 schools and adult learners can undertake learning at their own pace and

convenience.
Advantage #2 Cost Savings for the School
Although cost saving should not be regarded as the number one reason for the
implementation of distance learning courses, there are significant long term cost saving
opportunities. With distance learning tools, the school can increase the number of
students attending a class per a teacher.
Advantage #3 Giving students the opportunity to practice discipline.
In contrast to the traditional courses taught by an instructor in a classroom, distance
learning classes, especially asynchronous courses, require the students to have more
discipline in order to succeed in the class. In the absence of a physical classroom and
instructor, the distance learning courses require the students to exercise more selfdiscipline in order to keep up with the classroom readings and assignments.

Disadvantages:
Limitation #1: Learners might feel isolated
One of the limitations of distance learning is that the face to face interaction is lost in a
distance learning class; this causes the learners to feel isolated during the learning
process.
Limitation #2: It is more difficult for learners to raise questions
Another limitation of distance learning is that it is harder for students to ask questions in
a distance learning class. In contrast to a traditional classroom where a student simply
needs to raise his/her hand to ask a question, it is harder for students to ask questions to
clarify their confusions in a distance learning class.

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:
Every one should have an opportunity to get their education for their future career.
Distance learning is the one of the option in the learning methods. Distance learning may
be very comfortable for some learners but some others might prefer face-to face
education in classes. I believe that distance learning is not a good fit for science classes.
I am a chemistry teacher in high school and I believe that face-to-face learning is better
to teach Chemistry. In this way, students can learn chemistry concept with hand-on
activities and experiments. Although, face-to-face learning seems to have many
advantages, distance learning is better for some parents and students to access many
resources for their education. Some of the benefits are flexibility, equality, efficiency,
effectiveness and use more than one resources for practice and extend the knowledge.

However the students and parents who would prefer distance learning can learn more
advance standards. Also most of our students are working in high school because their
parents are economically disadvantaged. Thus they use online sources to get education.
There are some expenses such as parking lot, facilities, materials and resources for
onsite education, so distance learning will be beneficial for all stakeholders. The
stakeholders also save time to spend on education and practice what they learn by
online education. For example: a student can read articles and books instead of driving
to school or back to home.
On the other hand, as all new systems have disadvantages, distance learning
also has some disadvantages. The main one is that the students and parents have to
deal with technology issues all the time and to find some backup plans to reduce the
problems. Although all parents want their child to be socialized, most students might feel
isolated, because of online classes. Those parents need to find some other activities for
their children to be communicated with their peers and comminutes. Another
disadvantage is that not all students are responsible and organized to set up a plan
follow it all the time. As a result it is parents and students has some rights to choose the
best program, which fits for their educational preferences.

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:
ODonoghue, J.(2004) A comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of IT
based education and the implications upon students. Interactive Educational Multimedia,
pp. 63-76
K-12 School Computer Networking | Chapter 25. (n.d.).
Rice, K. (n.d.). A Comprehensive Look at Distance Education in the K12
Context. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 425-448.
Marson, S., & Nursing, M. (1992). Teachers' guide to open/distance learning. Sheffield:
ENB Learning Resources Unit.
Rice, K. (2009). Priorities in K-12 Distance Education: A Delphi Study Examining Multiple
Perspectives on Policy, Practice, and Research. Educational Technology & Society, 12
(3), 163177.
Chang, I.-H. (2012). The Effect of Principals' Technological Leadership on Teachers'
Technological Literacy and Teaching Effectiveness in Taiwanese Elementary Schools.
Educational Technology & Society, 15 (2), 328340.