RESEARCH PAPER TEMPLATE

North American University

Education Department
M.Ed. in Educational Leadership
EDUC 5324: INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGY INTO EDUCATION

Name: Toraman Yayla

Date: 06/19/2016

Topic Selected: What does the research say about advantages and disadvantages of
distance education?

1. LITERATURE REVIEW:

Brief Literature Review:

Distance learning is designed to provide educational opportunities to students who are
unable to pursue the on-site study. Written correspondence courses, online classes, and
other remote classroom delivery methods fall under the category of distance learning.
Below are some of the advantages and disadvantages of distance learning.

2. REFLECTION:

Reflection:
Advantage of Distance Learning
Distance learning is a great tool, especially for self-learners, it gives students the

flexibility to complete coursework from home, work environment when they have spare
time, in their home/job and other remote locations using a computer or increasingly, a
mobile device like a phone or tablet. Many students start working in their junior and
senior to save up money for college, I believe that these students need flexible schedules
for the school. Additionally, these days many online programs allow students to watch
lectures and complete assignments on their own time and almost from anywhere. This
can be particularly beneficial for working professionals who can't leave their jobs to
pursue a full-time on-site study, and for parents who can't regularly visit a campus due to
family obligations.
The curriculums of distance education programs are often identical to that of on-campus
programs, allowing students to receive the same education in either format. Also, today's
online students have access to many of the same services as on-campus students,
including library and career services, academic and financial advising, and tutoring.
Some schools even have honor societies, and other student groups specifically geared
toward online students.
Overall online education is a reality and an opportunity for all the students. Specific
indicators for quality online programs vary from institution to institution; however, this
review sought to find the most common themes, and domains identified today by
program administrators that will assist them with evaluating and improving the overall
quality of their online education programs.
Disadvantage of Distance Learning
Although most distance education programs allow students to interact online with peers
and instructors, some students might miss face-to-face communication and consultation
that comes with studying on-campus. Furthermore, the impromptu study sessions, brief

questions, and explanations that easily happen on-campus are tougher to make it happen
in a distance education setting.
Online students also need to be extra focused and committed to their studies so that they
don't fall behind. Some online students might find themselves easily distracted by the
demands of their daily lives when studying from home, or not disciplined enough to keep
up with lectures or complete assignments when they have no set deadlines.
Additionally for K-12 students, this group needs to excel both academically and socially.
This issue can be solved and overcome with a regular mainstream student. I think main
concern in distance learning is how they take care of special-need students IEPs.
Online learning isolates students from one another even when the teacher can't help
students develop socially. However, traditional learning setting promotes the exchange of
ideas since students interact with each other.
Online learners must exhibit self-discipline in order to be successful. Students who have
trouble with procrastination and time management will have difficulties completing their
work and avoiding distractions.
Not all students have accessibility to technology. They are susceptible to technical
failures such as the constraints of email and glitches in their computer programs.

3. REFERENCES:

References:
1.https://www.academia.edu/11056576/Trends_in_Distance_Education_Research_A_Co

ntent_Analysis_of_Journals_2009-2013
2. www.learn.org
3. Wong.H. K .and Wong.R.T (2009). The First Days of Schoool: How to Be an Effective
Teacher, 4th Edition.
4. A Review of Paradigms for Evaluating the Quality of Online Education Programs.
(n.d.). Retrieved November 1, 2014, from
http://www.westga.edu/~distance/ojdla/spring141/shelton141.html
5. http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3751959