RESEARCH PAPER TEMPLATE

North American University

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

Name: Kubra Sisek Date: 12/05/2017

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 education is different from the traditional education. Distance education is
that educational information and instruction is taught to learners who are physically
distant from the source of that information and instruction. Distance education, also
called distance learning, provides learning chances to people who could not afford time
or money for traditional classes or who lived in remote areas far from schools. Because
of the expansion of the Internet in recent years, the Internet has become the most
important tool for delivering distance education. The main purpose of the article is to
define the main advantages and disadvantages of distance education. So what exactly is
distance learning? Distance learning occurs when there is a separation between the
teacher and the student, usually due to geographical or time concerns that prevent the
student from attending an on-campus course. Often, electronic means are used to
bridge this gap and distribute educational material though distance learning programs
using printed and mailed materials have existed for well over a hundred years. These
programs have usually been specially designed to help best meet the needs and
requirements that arise when learning is taking place outside of a traditional classroom
setting. The majority of distance education today takes place using the Internet, now
readily accessible for the vast majority of students whether in their own homes or at
facilities such as local libraries. These electronic means are used to distribute the
 learning material, keep students in touch with teachers, and provide access to
communication between students. Of course, distance learning can use other
technological formats as well including television, DVDs, teleconferencing, and printable
material, but the immediacy and functionality of Web learning has made it a first choice
for many distance learners. Online programs often take advantage of a number of
emerging technologies to make keeping in touch and effectively communicating ideas
easier and more efficient than ever before and students. (Ryan, M. (1997) Education
casts wide net. TechWeb News, October.)
Advantages of distance education
Many distance education programs are self-paced. Students can advance quickly
through material they've already mastered and slow down on new material. Study when
you want, where you want. Employers use distance learning to train their employees
without losing them to the classroom. Your education goes where you go. Those who
travel extensively in their jobs or move place to place, like military families, can pursue
their courses wherever their lives take them. One-on-one interaction with the instructor
by phone or email helps individualize the instruction. It's affordable. Distance education
courses often cost less than traditional courses. Educational institutions that offer
strictly distance learning don't incur the costs of maintaining a campus, so these savings
are passed on to the student. Students save money by eliminating the commute to class.
Students don't have to give up their jobs or dramatically alter their personal schedules.
For many of today's money-conscious, time-strapped students, distance education
offers the best opportunity for success. (Why Distance Education - USCI. (n.d.).
Retrieved December 05, 2017, from https://www.uscareerinstitute.edu/about-usci/why-
distance-education)

Disadvantages of distance education

While thinking about the advantages and disadvantages of distance learning, pros and
cons, one may wonder if there are any distance learning disadvantages.

Costly and complex technology. Despite the many opportunities of distance education,
there are inevitable accompanying costs. Live video communication for example,
requires careful planning of the equipment and facilities. For online learning, you must
own a computer (with access to the Internet). This required technology is not always
available. Some learners may also be afraid (technophobic) of technology.
Advance planning. Both the instructors and students involved in distance learning may
need to make sacrifices at times to get things done in time.
Hidden costs. If you work for the military for example, and you are on the ship, how do
you get your materials? They may need to be mailed in advance incurring extra
shipping and handling costs.
Distance learning does not offer immediate feedback. In a traditional classroom
setting, a student's performance can be immediately assessed through questions and
informal testing. With distance learning, a student has to wait for feedback until the
instructor has reviewed their work and responded to it.
Distance learning does not always offer all the necessary courses online. Students
pursuing a specific certificate or degree program may not have all the necessary
courses available through distance learning so it is not suited for all subjects. While
 you can study a history lesson completely online, you cannot perform nursing clinicals
online. Thus physical classroom attendance will be necessary to complete the course.
Distance learning degrees may not be acknowledged by all employers. Although most
employers do acknowledge distance learning, certain employers do not. Students who
want to work for a specific employer upon graduation should be sure of that
employer's perspective about online education.
Distance learning does not give students the opportunity to work on oral
communication skills. Students in distance learning courses do not get the practice of
verbal interaction with professors and other students.
Social isolation. Most often you'll be studying alone. Distance learners may feel
isolated or miss that social physical interaction that comes with attending a traditional
classroom. However, this impersonality has been lessening with advances and use of
communication technologies such as bulletin boards, threaded discussions, social
networking, chats, email and video conferencing. (Advantages and Disadvantages of
Distance Learning. (n.d.). Retrieved December 05, 2017, from http://www.distance-
learning-college-guide.com/advantage-and-disadvantage-of-distance-learning.html)

Conclusion
Although distance education is not a new trend, but has got a huge increase due to
developing technology. Distance education delivery will finally emerge as strong
education approach with use of phone, desktop and TV at a same time in future. When
distance learning commenced using information technology, it was not well accepted
and the equipment needed to provide it was expensive.
That has now radically changed. And technology is being well used in video, audio text,
graphics, animation, and simulation. Distance education is undergoing huge
transformation and has and will never reach to a stage of saturation as much is yet to be
explored and presented in this field. New and well established institutions are coming
up with latest equipment and large data base to provide distance learning to a growing
population that wants higher education out of traditional classroom setting. (Hedge,
N. and Hayward, L. (2004) Redefining roles: University e-learning contributing to
Lifelong learning in a networked world. E-Leaning, 1: (128-145))

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:
In this century, online learning offers a variety of educational programs for
students. Many courses are available for those who pursue their education. Distance
education suits for those who want to have flexibility in their study time. It would be
tough for those people to attend any institute for regular classes due to jobs or other
reasons; because of that they choose distance education (online learning)
Distance education has experienced numerous changes over the final few a long time. In
the past, separate instruction was done through the mail, but with the entry of time,
you consider such programs online or on the Web. Another key advantage is that you
can total your program at your comfort. This suggests that there are drowsy learners
that take a long time to pick up information. By and large,
these understudies feel ignored when learning in a bunch or in a classroom. With the
choice of online instructive programs, they can learn at their possess pace. They do not
have to feel awkward or ignored and can enough select for a self-paced learning.
Distance learning is not as it were well-suited for working course individuals,
but moreover for the candidates
who need to proceed their ponder after work. Distance education offers university-
level instruction. There are individuals who ended up dubious when they are in
a expansive bunch of individuals. They
feel uneasiness and need of certainty. Subsequently, remove learning is
a extraordinary learning instrument for these individuals. A most crucial angle that
drives the victory of separate instruction is way better learning
and holding on innovation. This learning approach is by electronic implies, where the
most modern advances are utilized for the interaction
between educates and understudies. The concept employments e-mails, video
conferencing, voice messages, online guides, and online storyboards. This lets
the understudies to have a way better comprehending of mechanical development. A
few of the understudies who are not mindful of computer programs
and program can win best information around the most recent advances.
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:
-Ryan, M. (1997) Education casts wide net. TechWeb News, October.

- Why Distance Education - USCI. (n.d.). Retrieved December 05, 2017, from
https://www.uscareerinstitute.edu/about-usci/why-distance-education.

- Advantages and Disadvantages of Distance Learning. (n.d.). Retrieved December 05,

2017, from http://www.distance-learning-college-guide.com/advantage-and-
disadvantage-of-distance-learning.html.

-Hedge, N. and Hayward, L. (2004) Redefining roles: University e-learning contributing

to Lifelong learning in a networked world. E-Leaning, 1: (128-145

- Perez, Stella & Foshay, Rob. (2002). Adding up the distance: can developmental

Studies work in a distance learning environment? T H E Journal,29(8), 16, 20-22,

24.