RESEARCH PAPER TEMPLATE

North American University

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

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:

Education is no longer sitting in a classroom learning face-to-face. With the
innovation of technology and the internet, there are a multitude of opportunities
for students of all levels to receive an education and earn high school diplomas,
bachelors degrees, and masters degrees. However, distance education has
both advantages and disadvantages. Is distance learning as effective as face-toface classrooms? According to Lorenzo and Moore research overwhelming
supports the view that online learning can be just as good as, and - in some
cases better than face-to-face, traditional learning. With the creation of
effective online interaction both student and teacher satisfaction is at a high. It
was noted in a study by Conway, Easton, and Schmidt that online discussions
actually increase synergy, the pooling of information, and ratings on instructor
evaluations, because students have increased time to read and reread
messages, which increases reflection time and improves formulation of
responses. Chen stated that distance teaching also can help students and
teachers to share educational resources, and let the world become a global
school and Findley and Findley are quoted as saying distance teaching can
invite many specialists from a distance to teach and discuss synchronously.
Obviously there appears to be substantial evidence that distance education is a
successful way to teach and learn, but as previously stated there are both
advantages and disadvantages. The following is a list put out by Queensborough

Community College on the advantages and disadvantages of distance learning:

Advantages
Provides for an increase in access to education for those who
otherwise have
no other opportunities due to work, family or physical limitations.
Provides for a modality of instruction better suited for certain
learners.
Greater flexibility for scheduling learning-Students can determine
time and place of "class time".
Greater flexibility in location for study-Students can engage course
at home or work or on campus or at a library.
Distance Education is Learner Centered -DE places responsibility
for learning with the learner who must be more active and selfdirected.
Facilitates greater learner-instructor interaction.
Increased interaction with classmates.
Facilitates Pedagogic Development-Individual Instructor
Development.
Produces a carry-over effect into the regular classroom of improved
pedagogic techniques.
Opportunity to develop technology competencies for instructors and
learners.
Access to global resources and experts via internet communication
and Internet resources.
Allows for the internationalization of learning opportunities.
Centralized resources can produce higher quality materials for
distribution.
Has the potential to equalize access to education.
Disadvantages Time and frustration involved learning how to get on-line for
novices.
Lag time between student input and feedback -Time lapse between
need for learner support and resolution.
Occasional internet provider down time.
Student must be more active and self-directed in learning
environment -Depends on individual motivation and initiative.
Occasional feelings of isolation- Potentially less group support for
learners leading to isolation and possible non-completion of
program.
Instructional design for group activities and group interaction more
demanding on the instructor.
Demands large effort and cost to develop appropriate materials.
Demands large effort to create and maintain the technological
infrastructure.

Distance Education is not for everyone.- It is not for undisciplined

learners nor inflexible instructors.

Distance education definitely changes the style of teaching and learning.

Instructors need to spend quite a bit of time designing the course because it is
not a straight lecture. Feedback between students and teachers can be limited.
There are also certain limitations on distance teaching when it comes to specific
courses. For instance, a science course that requires a lab would not be suitable
as an online class. Other courses like music and sports would also have many
limitations. Students would not be able to get the hands on experience needed to
fully grasp the content of the course. With that being said Barker concluded that
when It comes to distance education, advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
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:
Based on the information Ive read and my personal experience, distance education has
an enormous impact on the way we learn today and our ability to seek the education we
desire. I am currently a stay at home mom of two children. The online graduate program
is the only way possible for me to finish my masters degree. I live in a rural community
about an hour away from a major city with a college Austin or San Antonio. This
program has allowed me to continue to stay at home and be with my young children
while at the same time work towards my degree. The flexibility of the online program has
made taking 9 hours of graduate school doable for me. I have the ability to read and do
assignments at my convenience without disrupting (not too much anyway) my time with
my kids. The biweekly webinars have been a great way to communicate with my
professors and clear up any questions about assignments. I also have a professor that
provides a recorded online lecture for each chapter, which makes statistics easier to
understand. I have enjoyed the online discussions and collaboration with classmates as
well as the varied assignments. Graded assignments and feedback are usually
completed in a timely manner so I feel confident in my progression in the course. I would
recommend the distance learning route for anyone seeking to further their education.
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. (n.d.). Retrieved October 23, 2016, from
http://www.qcc.cuny.edu/SocialSciences/ppecorino/China-QCC-DE/Advantages-Disadvantages-DE.html

Barker, B. A. (1990). Distance Education in Rural Schools: Advantages and Disadvantages. Rural
Educator, 12(1), 4-7.
Chen, Y. (n.d.). Advantages and Disadvantages. (n.d.). Retrieved October 23, 2016, from
http://www.qcc.cuny.edu/SocialSciences/ppecorino/China-QCC-DE/Advantages-Disadvantages-DE.html.
Retrieved October 23, 2016, from
http://www.mste.uiuc.edu/courses/ci499sp01/students/ychen17/pages/dlearning.html
Conaway, R. N., Easton, S. S., & Schmidt, W. V. (2005). STRATEGIES FOR ENHANCING STUDENT
INTERACTION AND IMMEDIACY IN ONLINE COURSES. Business Communication Quarterly, 68(1), 23-35.
doi:10.1177/1080569904273300
Findley, B., & Findley, D. (1997). Strategies for effective distance education, Contemporary Education, 68,
118-120
Lorenzo, G., & Moore, J. (2002). The Sloan Consortium report to the nation: Five pillars of quality online
education. Retrieved May 24, 2004, from the invitational workshop held in Lake George, NY, on September
26-28, 2002, at http://www.aln.org/effective/ pillarreport1.pdf