RESEARCH PAPER TEMPLATE

North American University

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

Name: Turan Koc Date: 07/30/2018

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:

There are some advantages and disadvantages of distance education according to the
researchers.
The advantages of distance education: Morrison, Ross, and Kemp (2007) postulated
that distance education has "additional strengths beyond the traditional classroom lecture
and self-paced instruction for both training and education environments...Students can
‘attend a class’ without going to campus. Very large audiences situated miles apart can
potentially be served” (Morrison et al., 2007, p. 21). Dr. Berge, Director of Training
Systems at UMBC (2007), believes the power of online learning is in "the use of
computer-mediated communication in distance learning to create online classrooms has
become a popular means of distance learning, both in mixed mode with face-to-face
instruction or as a sole channel of education at a distance" (p. 1). “Whether or not you’re
keen on using technology for learning, the fact is that it’s here to stay. Technology has
become an essential way to handle the education, training, and retraining needs of an
expanding knowledge society” (Shank & Sitze, 2004, p. 2).
Magagula and Ngwenya (2004) say that “distance and on-campus learners pointed
out that the advantages of learning through distance education included, among others,
immediate application of knowledge and skills learned in the programs at the place of
work; the opportunity to continue working if employed or self-employed, earn income
and attend to family commitments; the flexibility of studying at one’s own pace, time and
place; the opportunity to develop independent learning skills, learn to manage time, and
develop self-discipline; and access to modules which are well written and easy to read
and understand.”
Sagheb-Tehrani (2011) says that “A traditional single class could have 20 or 25
students whereas an online class can have 50 or more students. This improved enrollment
increases the tuition base generated by the university. There is no doubt that online
education is more cost efficient for universities. Morse, Glover, and Travis (1997) agree
that distance education helps to save instructor cost. Online education provides both
faculty and students the ability to work at home if the weather is not favorable for
commuting to schools. Some people are not early morning persons, so they have
difficulty taking an early morning course. Many students have this problem, i.e., they do
not like early morning classes, and their learning is not efficient because they are sleepy.
With an online course, this is not an issue.”
Kiryakova (2009) agree that flexibility and independence, wide learner audience,
accessibility, life-long learning and economic effectiveness are some fundamental
advantages of distance education.

The disadvantages of distance education: Magagula and Ngwenya (2004) say that “
The disadvantages of learning through distance education, according to the distance and
on-campus learners, included the inconvenience of using Saturdays for tutorials at the
regional centers instead of attending to their social activities; lack of time to consult
course lecturers since the Saturday tutorial schedule was always fully packed; failure of
the Institute to timely attend to off-campus learners’ problems; unavailability of modules
for some course modules at registration; the use of notes and photocopied handouts in the
absence of modules; failure of the Institute to distribute modules to students on time;
inadequate time for off-campus learners to use the library on Saturday; and failure of
some course tutors and lecturers to show up for tutorials and lectures.”
Fedynich (2013) agree that “A disadvantage that is often times overlooked or
assumed is that individuals participating in online courses are computer literate. Consider
one of the basic facts pertaining to online learning: students and faculty have to be
computer literate. It’s a plain and simple fact. Although computer literacy is a
requirement of online learning, but so is online access. The lack of access either due to
logistics or economic reasons, will exclude participants from the cyber class. This is a
limitation for all online programs that are reliant on Internet access. Quality transmission
is another issue of the telecommunications system and other resources required to
successfully transmit. Design and implementation is another disadvantage to online
learning. Lack of instructor face time is another issue that has been seen as a downside to
cyber learning especially for students of particular learning modalities.”
According to Sagheb-Tehrani (2011), no face to face interaction, complex concepts,
feedback issues, interruption and computer fail are some disadvantages of the distance
education.
Extra time and effort for d.e. preparation, lack of personalization for d.e. students,
lack of faculty availability, a reluctance of faculty to teach d.e. and expense of equipment
can be added to the disadvantages of the distance education. (Morse, Glover, and Travis,
1997)
Kiryakova (2009) say that Isolation and loss of motivation and self-discipline are the
disadvantages of the distance education.
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:
Almost all researches agree that there are some advantages and disadvantages of the
distance education. Although the disadvantages, I am a big fan of the distance education.
In the modern era, people are very busy and there a lot of cities with worst traffic. Instead
of spending more time on the roads, the distance education offers the flexibility of
studying at one’s own pace, time and place. While I was living in Los Angeles, I was able
to have some courses from Houston. This is also an excellent opportunity for employed
or self-employed to have classes while they are working and earning money. To make a
career change, you might have to obtain more education. Whether you enjoy learning or
want a higher paying job, distance education can be pursued at any time during one's
working life.
In high schools, the distance education can cut down on costly gas or public
transportation which is useful for low-income students. Both time and money can be
saved. It can also support students to recover their missing/failed classes. Some students
may not be early morning students, so they have difficulty taking an early morning
course. The distance education is best for them also. But we should know that it is not for
every student especially who is undisciplined and have problems with motivation. While
administrators and teachers are working, they can have essential courses for their
professional developments.

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:
Fedynich, L. (2013). Teaching beyond the Classroom Walls: The Pros and Cons of Cyber
Learning. Journal of Instructional Pedagogies,13.

Shank, P. & Sitze, A. (2004). Making sense of online learning. San Francisco: Pfeiffer.
Magagula, M. C., & Ngwenya, A. P. (2004). A Comparative Analysis of the Academic
Performance of Distance and On-Campus Learners. Turkish Online Journal of Distance
Education,5(4).

Sagheb-Tehrani, M. (april 2011). Distance Learning: An Empirical Study. Information

Systems Education Journal,V9(N1), P41-52.

Morse, G. E., Glover, H., & Travis, J. (1997). Survey of Distance Education Utilization
in Information Systems Departments. Proceedings of the International Academy for
Information Management Annual Conference.

Kiryakova, G. (2009). REVIEW OF DISTANCE EDUCATION. Trakia Journal of

Sciences,V7(N3), 29-34.

Morrison, G. R., Ross, S. M., Kemp, J. E. (2007). Designing effective instruction (5th
ed.). Hoboken, New Jersey: Wiley and Sons.