RESEARCH PAPER TEMPLATE

North American University

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

Name:__Zeynep Nesibe Nur SAGDIK__ Date: ____7.27.2019_______

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:

Definition:

“Distance education or long-distance learning is the education of students who may not
always be physically present at a school.” ( Wikipedia, n.d.,) . “ It usually uses different
means of communication to be able to do so, and nowadays it is the internet and online
classes that are most widely used.

History of Distance Education

For years, educators believed that learning could take place only if the teacher and
learner are in a face-to-face environment. But there were many efforts from some
educators to enable every individual have an equal chance to access education.
The University of Chicago in the USA started a correspondence program in the late
1800s. It made learning possible even though the teacher and the learner were in
different locations. As the radio and TV started to develop, the distance education
evolved dramatically. After the establishment of the Open University in Britain in 1970,
and Charles Wedemeyer's uses of media in 1986 at the University of Wisconsin,
correspondence study (in other words distance education) started using new
technologies as a means of delivering lectures. (The Association for Educational
Communications and Technology ,2001)
Advantages of Distance Education

There are many advantages of distance education. It makes the right to have access to
education available for everyone. It enables students to learn wherever they are. With it,
learners can adjust the speed of their own learning and they can determine their own
schedule .It makes it possible to reach education regardless of one’s location in the
world. Mostly a distance education course costs less than a traditional one.
(“Advantages and Disadvantages – Why Choose Distance Learning?” , n.d. , para.1 )

Disadvantages of Distance Education

As much as distance education makes our lives easier there are also disadvantages that
come with it. Here are some of them.

People who are not that familiar with technology may find it difficult. There is a natural
waiting period as students submit their work and wait for feedback from the instructor.
Problems with the internet connection can be a struggle. Distance education students
need to be more active and self-directed. It is directly related to one’s motivation.
Sometimes students may feel lonely and isolated. Group activities may be challenging
for both the instructor and the learners. Technological infrastructure needs to be
maintained constantly. (“Disadvantages of Distance Education”, n.d. para.2)

It may be difficult for learners to get a job afterwards with a distance education degree
since many employers think that an online learning program is not as good as the
education offered by traditional schools. Learners may find it difficult to find accredited
universities. Not all the online courses out there have the accreditation that is necessary.
The learners need to be careful if the college they are going to attend through distance
education has the qualities they are looking for. (Hutt,M. ,2017)
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:
I agree with the points made in this research about advantages and disadvantages of
distance education. As a distance education student myself, I witness these things going
on in my life for real. And, I think it is a pretty good reason why I agree. Here are some
statements that reflect my opinion.

I believe that distance education is a great opportunity for the ones who cannot attend
traditional schools for various reasons. . Students may not go to regular schools due to
various reasons. Sometimes it could be a physical disability some other times financial
troubles. So, distance education makes it possible to get a degree for those who do not
have a chance to attend school like others do. Learners can decide the pace of learning
and this is something that may not be possible in a traditional face-to-face classroom
environment. They can go slower if they think they need to dig in more or go faster if
they already have a background about the topic. Any time of the day, whether it is late at
night or 5 o’clock in the morning, it is possible to study or attend a class. Learners do not
have to follow a strict schedule like in traditional schools. And it is easier now to get an
international degree regardless of the country one resides. A Chinese student can get a
degree from a college in the USA.

On the other hand, there are also some limitations regarding distance education.
Students cannot get immediate feedback from their teachers. There is no face-to-face
communication and this leads to feelings of isolation and loneliness. And a distance
education student needs to be really self-motivated and disciplined. Otherwise, it may
not be possible to finish their education. Even though distance education is getting more
popular day by day it may not be easy to find a job with an online degree since people
still think education in traditional ways is still a better one.

As a teacher I believe traditional classroom environment is still a better way for

education however if there is a situation preventing a student coming to school
everyday, distance education is a lifesaver. I would inform my parents and the
community of the advantages and disadvantages of distance education. And hopefully it
will raise an awareness and people will learn that they don’t have only one option to get
education. Distance education makes it possible for every individual in terms of getting
access to education and I would make people around me realize that.
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:

Advantages and Disadvantages – Why Choose Distance Learning?, (n.d.)

Retrieved from : https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/distance-
learning/advantages-and-disadvantages-%E2%80%93-why-choose-
distance-learning/

Disadvantages of Distance Education, (n.d.). Retrieved from:

http://www.qcc.cuny.edu/SocialSciences/ppecorino/China-QCC-
DE/Advantages-Disadvantages-DE.html

Hutt, Mike. (2017). Top 10 Disadvantages of Distance Learning. Retrieved from:

https://www.eztalks.com/elearning/top-10-disadvantages-of-distance-
learning.html

The Association for Educational Communications and Technology, 2001,

History of Distance Education. Retrieved from :
http://members.aect.org/edtech/ed1/13/13-02.html

Wikipedia, (n.d.), Distance Education

Retrieved from:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distance_education