RESEARCH PAPER TEMPLATE

North American University

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

Date: 11/8/16

Topic Selected:

Topic 3: What does the research say about the 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 education can be described as any form of learning outside of a
traditional classroom setting. This can include online courses, but also TV and satellite
classes, as mentioned in some of the following resources. These documents tend to be a
bit older, however, with the oldest being 25 years old. Therefore, some of the information
may no longer be accurate, appropriate, or relevant. So, it is important to keep in mind
the circumstances and time in which these documents were written. Also, research for
this question is often composed of student opinions or similar sources, and may not prove
to be the most accurate or reliable method of scientific research. Nonetheless, these
studies and articles still provide insight into the advantages and disadvantages of distance
education, and much can be learned from them.
In the article by David L. Fender, the advantages and disadvantages of distance
education are discusses, among other things. Among the advantages, he describes the
improved access to education, greater flexibility, fewer time constraints, and fewer
financial hardships associated with distance learning (Fender, 1999). Additionally, he
states that distance learning allows skills learned to be directly applied to the students
current profession, and course quality is easier to control, because one cannot easily
fake preparation or knowledge in a distance course (Fender, 1999). Likewise, Fender

also describes some disadvantages of distance learning, such as the lack of social contact
and face-to-face interaction (and therefore, lack of fulfillment), that results from
maintaining a distant classroom (Fender, 1999).
In the paper by Chuck Shave, the advantages, disadvantages, and skills required
for distance and online learning are discussed. For these purposes, due to online courses
being considered a form of distance learning, I have grouped them together into one
group of distance learning. He describes that the advantages of distance learning
include the ability to study where you choose, easily contact the teacher, participate in
group discussions, access class material online at any time, and receive immediate
feedback (Shave, 1998). However, he also states the disadvantages associated with these
methods, including the lack of face-to-face contact, requirement of a level of computer
proficiency, and need of hardware and Internet, in the case of Internet courses (Shave,
1998).
Moreover, in the paper by Bruce O. Barker, seven distance education case studies
are analyzed, and the advantages and disadvantages of different cases of distance learning
are discussed. Due to the age of this document, the author distinguishes between twoway TV instruction, audiographic teleteaching/microcomputer teleteaching, and
satellite TV teaching. In modern times, all of these methods have practically been
converted to online teaching of some sort. However, some of the major advantages he
identifies are the possibility of student/teacher audio interaction, real-time distribution of
handouts and other material, student-to-student interactions, low cost in terms of
hardware, software, and maintenance, relative simplicity of navigating class, and focus
on the knowledge rather than charisma of the teacher (Barker, 1991). Nonetheless, there
are disadvantages, and although some of these are outdated, he states that cable may not
be available in all cases (which could translate into some students not having Internet
access today), most systems require a large investment to pay for start-up costs,
transmission costs for telephone toll charges can be excessive, the lack of motion may be
restrictive, and student-to-student interaction may be severely limited in some forms
(Barker, 1991).
In the article by Diane Matthews, distance education in the United States is
analyzed, including its origins and evolution, the media used, types of students,
advantages, and disadvantages. Some of the advantages the author cites include an
increased access to higher education, flexible scheduling of ones personal time for the
class, personal attention from the instructor, less travel and therefore more convenient
location, and increased time to think about the discussions posed by the instructor
(Matthews, 1999). However, she identifies several disadvantages, including the various
costs, labor intensity, need for staff training, inaccessible libraries (which is no longer
true, generally), difficulty of maintaining enough contact with students, and inadequate
financial aid policies (Matthews, 1999).
In the study by researchers Professor C. M. Magagula and Mr. A. P. Ngwenya, the
profile, academic performance, advantages, and disadvantages of distance and on-campus
learners were collected and analyzed. The students described the advantages of distance
learning as being able to immediately apply the skills learned into ones workplace, the
ability to study at ones own pace, time, and location, the discovery of how to be
independent and self-disciplined, and the quick availability of modules and handouts

(Magagula & Ngwenya, 2004). Among the disadvantages of learning through distance
education were that tutorials on weekends could be inconvenient, there is less time to
consult with lecturers, some classes do not have modules or distribute modules in a
timely manner, and the inadequate time for students to use the library on Saturdays due to
tutorials (Magagula & Ngwenya, 2004).
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:

My personal opinion on distance education largely agrees with the research. I

think that distance learning allows for an easier access to resources, handouts, and
classroom materials. I also agree that the online classroom provides a greater access to
higher education and allows students who cannot physically be there to experience the
class. I also really like the flexibility and self-pacing of online classes because it allows
me to manage my work with my higher education classes. In regards to disadvantages, I
also agree because the lack of personal connection or face-to-face contact can definitely
bring a level of disconnection between students and instructors.
In my school, for example, many teachers use learning management systems, such
as Edmodo, as an addition to their classes. Other students have classes that are
completely online, without any physical interaction with the teacher. From my
experience, however, students much prefer traditional classrooms to online classrooms. I
think that many students prefer the increased level of interaction in a regular classroom,
as opposed to online courses. However, the use of online tools as supplementary
materials is very useful and students and teachers alike reap great benefits from
integrating technology into their classes. For example, some teachers put quizzes,
handouts, and presentations on Edmodo, creating a flipped classroom, and allowing
students to study the material on their time. Consequently, class time can be spent on
developing and applying the skills learned through the online supplemental materials.
If I were to implement this research into my career, I think I would be able to
follow a similar track to those my colleagues have. I dont think I would want to convert
my class completely into an online classroom because I, as the teacher, also enjoy having
face-to-face interactions with my students and being able to personally assist and work
with each student. However, technological incorporation and integration both save class
time during school hours and allow students to cultivate their skills by having more
practice. With this research, therefore, I could identify what students enjoy about online
classrooms and what they dont enjoy, and then try to utilize as many of the advantages as
possible by trying to avoid some of the weaknesses of an online classroom by having a
traditional classroom component. That way, I could make the best use of the research

regarding the advantages and disadvantages of distance learning and vastly improve my
own mathematics classes.
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:
Barker, B. O. (1991). K-12 Distance Education in the United States: Technology
Strengths, Weaknesses, and Issues.
Fender, D. L. (1999). Distance Education. Professional Safety, 44(10), 26.
Magagula, C. M., & Ngwenya, A. P. (2004). A Comparative Analysis of the Academic
Performance of Distance and On-Campus Learners. Online Submission,
Matthews, D. (1999). The origins of distance education and its use in the United States. T
H E Journal, 27(2), 54.
Shave, C. (1998). So You Want To Deliver a Course Using the Internet!.