RESEARCH PAPER

North American University

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

Name:__Engin Blackstone__________ Date: _____6/11/2017____________

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:

The history of distance education has been a short one. It is one of the latest
developments in a history that's been around since the 1700s. It first started by letter
writing in 1728, and the first correspondence schools in the United States were
founded about 150 years later, called The Society to Encourage Studies at Home.
University of Chicago began offering correspondence courses in 1892, became the
first traditional educational institution in the U.S. Penn State College and University
of Iowa began broadcasting their courses over the radio in 1920s, University of
Houston responded by offering televised college classes for credit in 1950s. This
movement is evolved over the time and today distance education is available in all
levels of education.

Distance education provides an alternative route in learning process, which offers

many benefits along with challenge and issues. Studies also show these benefits
and challenges evolved over the time since rapid changing technology. I picked top
two advantages and disadvantages from my sources to share their impact on
learning process.

Distance learning provides greater flexibility in learning process. Flexibility in

scheduling and location gives wonderful opportunity to make a self-arrangement for
their learning. Students can engage course at home or work or on campus or at a
library.
Distance Education is a learner centered process. It places responsibility for learning
with the learner who must be more active and self-directed. This reduces stress and
increases satisfaction.

One of the disadvantage of distance learning is that it does not offer an immediate
feedback. The lag time between student input and feedback may reduce the
productivity. Distance learning also does not give students the opportunity to work
on oral communication skills, and has limited in-person interaction.

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:

Researches list many other benefits and issues of distant learning, but most of them
need to be revisited over the time. The tremendous growth of technology and online
learning opportunities fix the issues and help distance learning programs improve.

I am a strong believer of introducing the distance education in K-12 settings, but I

disbelieve in K-12 virtual education. Kids need strong peer interaction in their early
ages to prevent socialization issues in the future. We offer a few online courses in
high school level to expose our students in online learning. We picked a few college
courses that we dont offer at the school, and provide opportunity to earn college
credits in high school. Our observation and students feedback is extremely positive
about this experience.

Considering the findings and suggestions from researches I reviewed, and my

personal experience, I consider increasing distance learning opportunities in our
middle and high school. I feel strong about blended model; using distance education
programs as a supplementary tool in our education system. Having students
experience their first online education at the school will help smooth transition from
traditional model to distance learning. For instance, we still have students in class
while they are working on their online course, and have supervisor with them who
can help when they needed. It is observed that they feel much more comfortable
after their second course. This opportunity gets them ready for them to consider
online programs as an option, which is an increasing trend.

This master program is also my very first experience with the distance learning, and I
am enjoying it very much. I never experienced any disadvantages mentioned in the
researched I reviewed, and I am more supportive of increasing distance education
programs within the regular education model in K-12 model.
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:

Yilmaz, R. (2017). Problems Experienced In Evaluating Success And Performance In

Distance Education: A Case Study. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education,18(1), 39-
39. doi:10.17718/tojde.285713

Simpson, O. (2013). Supporting students in online open and distance learning. Routledge.

Lockwood, F. (2013). Open and distance learning today. Routledge.

Bibliography. (n.d.). Retrieved June 11, 2017, from

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

Advantages and Disadvantages of Distance Learning. (n.d.). Retrieved June 11, 2017, from
http://www.distance-learning-college-guide.com/advantage-and-disadvantage-of-distance-
learning.html

History of Distance Learning. (n.d.). Retrieved June 11, 2017, from

http://www.worldwidelearn.com/education-articles/history-of-distance-learning.html