RESEARCH PAPER TEMPLATE

North American University

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

Date: _11/1/2015_

Topic Selected:
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:

The higher education has been transformed significantly over the past several years.
Developing technology and speed of virtual innovations has influenced education
(Milhem, 2012). Distance educational courses and programs, either fully, online or
hybrid have been a major contributing factor in this shift. (Todd, 2015) Different
technology applications are used to support different models of online learning. One
class of online learning models uses asynchronous communication tools (e.g., e-mail,
threaded discussion boards, newsgroups) to allow users to contribute at their
convenience. Synchronous technologies (e.g., webcasting, chat rooms, desktop
audio/video technology) are used to approximate face-to-face teaching strategies such as
delivering lectures and holding meetings with groups of students. (U.S. Department of

education, 2010) Usually adult learners are benefiting distance learning as it offers
flexibility and accessibility. Todds study indicated that distance education is promising
for adult learning. According to research the advantages of distance education flexibility,
self-tailored learning, more choices, increased learner centeredness, decreased cost, cost
standardization; quality and quantity of instructional materials, lower course development
costs (OLawrence, 2014).
According to Milhems (2012) study facultys reasons for involving in distance education
is being able to offer courses beyond the traditional classrooms settings, and it provides
more disciplined, mature, and motivated students which makes teaching pleasure for
them. Milhem (2012) also stress the advantages for students as instructional convenience
such as no travelling to class requirement, no scheduling conflicts; access many
information resource and independent learning availability. Moreover distance education
minimizes prejudice that often arises in face to face settings.(Trinkle, 1999)
Besides these advantages there are several disadvantages of distance learning. For
example for the instructor the distance education requires more time for planning and
grading as all of the interactions with students are written communication (Milhem 2).
The lack of quality of internet connection, unavailability of web pages due to outages,
lack of experience in using technology and tools are the disadvantages for both faculty
and students.(U.S. Department of 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:

As an online learner (distant education student), I experience most of the advantages and

disadvantages indicated by cited researches.

Initially it is a big advantage for me not driving to school after long hours of work which
includes stressful driving during rush hours. Also I dont have to worry about my children
and try to find child care for them. This flexibility encourages me to continue higher
education and embrace my skills. I have Self-learning skills and sometimes it is more
convenient for me to read from different resources, in this way I can internalize the
information and also apply them where I can in my profession.
Ive faced some disadvantages during my distance learning period besides the
advantages. One of the disadvantages is it takes longer time to reach the correct
information among a mass of information available where in traditional education can be
provided by instructor. Since interaction with instructor is limited I had to do a lot of
readings, researches and putting information together. Another disadvantage is my
inexperience with technology and typing. It takes longer time to type than handwriting.
Finally, I sometimes have to deal with the internet outage or technical problems which
overwhelms and upsets.
Overall, I prefer having distance education that traditional face to face one because the
advantages are more significant than disadvantages for me.
As a teacher, I would like to be able to provide distance education besides face to face
one to our students which would help us to overcome the problems of providing variety
of electives, reduce the cost on hardware such as classroom materials (board, chair,
lightening, cleaning and etc.) which could be spent for extracurricular activities.
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:
Trinkle, D. 1. (1999). Distance education: a means to an end, no more, no
less. Chronicle Of Higher Education, 45(48), A60
Milheim, W. (2001). Faculty and Administrative Strategies for the Effective
Implementation of Distance Education. British Journal Of Educational
Technology, 32(5), 535-42.
U.S. Department of Education Evaluation of Evidence Based Practices in
Online Learning A Meta-Analysis and Review of Online Learning Studies
Retrieved on October 29, 2015 from
https://www2.ed.gov/rschstat/eval/tech/evidence-based-practices/finalreport.pdf
Todd, C. L (2015) An Online Adult-Learner Focused Program: An Assessment of
Effectiveness Retrieved on October 30, 2015from
http://www.westga.edu/distance/ojdla/fall183/todd.html
OLawrance, H. (2007) Journal of Education and Human Development An Overview of
the influences of Distant Learning on Adult Learners. Retrieved on October 30,
2015 from www.scientificjournals.org/journals2007/articles/1041.html