RESEARCH PAPER TEMPLATE

North American University

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

Name: AFRA SUZEK Date: 06/10/2017

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

distance education?

Brief Literature Review: Distance literature is as institution-based, formal education

where the learning group is separated, and where interactive telecommunications systems

are used to connect learners, resources, and instructors. In the book Distance Education:

A Systems View of Online Learning it is defined as teaching and planned learning in

which teaching normally occurs in different place from learning, requiring

communication through technologies as well as institutional organization. In the United

States, by the mid-1980s, more than 300,000 students were enrolled in university-taught

distance education courses. In Canada, some 19 conventional universities were active in

distance teaching. In Australia, the University of Queensland initiative had grown to

some 3,000 students by the late 1960s. By the mid-1980s, some 40 institutions had an

enrollment of external students equivalent to approximately 12% of higher education

students. (Matthews, 1999) Distance learning has been a popular choice for schools and

students, especially for students who need to work full-time jobs or live in rural areas. It

is great opportunity for older students who have children or child living at home as well.

Students choose distance learning because they appreciate the opportunity to do their
assignments, home works at their own pace. There are also several disadvantages of

distance learning such as the time and frustration involved learning how to get on-line for

novices, lag time between student input and feedback, feelings of isolation since there is a

less group support for learners. On the other hand, for the instructors; distance learning

requires more efforts to develop the course and materials, better technological

infrastructure.

2. REFLECTION:

Reflection: I agree with the research because I believe that every program has its
own advantages and disadvantages. The most important part of advantages is
providing alternatives to students and parents because everybody does not share
same belief and opinion and does not live under same condition. To decrease the
disadvantages of distance learning, it can integrate with regular education
program by providing extracurricular activities and more support to students.
Choosing distance learning is chosen by students and parents because of
facing some problems such as bullying, behavioral and emotional problems of
children and scheduling of traditional schools. A few years ago, one of my friend
withdrew her daughter from the school and provided online courses because she
was got affected by bullying emotionally a lot.
Thanks to developing technology day by day, more different types of methods
or tool can be used in distance learning programs. There are several types of
technological tools that educators may use. Udacity, Schoology, Blackboard,
Google Hangouts, Go to meetings, Skype are some of them that offer methods
and tools for distance learners and educators.
Because I am foreign language teachers, I need to find technological tools for
my students to practice their speaking skills. Now I am using some of them;
however I would like search and find ways to make my students practice what
they learn by using those technological tools.
References:
Defining Distance Education. (n.d.). Retrieved June 10, 2017, from
http://www.aect.org/pdf/DistED/CH_1.pdf

Moore, M. G., & Greg Kearsley, G. (2012). Distance Education: A

Systems View of Online Learning. Belmont, Ca.: Cengage Learning.
Matthews, D. (1999). The Origins of Distance Education and Its Use in
the United States. T H E Journal (Technological Horizons In Education).
Retrieved June 10, 2017, from https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-
56182883/the-origins-of-distance-education-and-its-use-in-the.

Steinberg, B. (1996). Taking the embarrassment out of speaking in

class. Community College Week, 9(7), 10.

Cavanaugh, C., Gillan, K., Kromrey, J., Hess, M., & Blomeyer, R. (2004).
The Effects of Distance Education on K12 Student Outcomes: A Meta-
Analysis.