RESEARCH PAPER TEMPLATE

North American University

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

Name: Metin Yurt Date: 06/27/2020

Topic Selected:

Traditionally, distance education courses lack face-to-face interaction. What are the
consequences of lack of interaction in distance education? What can be done to increase
interaction in distance education (online courses) so that same type of learning can occur
as in face-to-face learning?

1. LITERATURE REVIEW: (250 Words)

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

Literature Review:
The earliest method of the education is face-to-face traditional mode, hosted in a
defined school environment characterized by teacher-students, or instructors-
learners physical interaction. A large portion of distance education researcher has
been devoted to comparative studies of distance and traditional methods of
education.

Interaction is the key element that impacts learning; therefore, interaction makes
learning effective or ineffective in not only online environment but also, traditional
classroom environment. Its presence in any learning environment, especially
distance learning environment, vitally important for the leaners to share, exchange
and, in that way, enhance the knowledge, so the interaction should be designed well
in online education. There are some scholars who agree that high level of interaction
very highly and positively effect on distance learning. The absence of interaction
between learners and the content that is studying will result the instruction topic,
assignment questions, and discussion prompts are not clear and specified for the
learners’ understanding, so this directly leads the way of not gaining the appropriate
learning outcomes for the individual. (Miltiaduo, et. Al. 2000)

According to Fender, (1999), distance educations offer greater flexibility and fewer
time constraints; there is” no significant difference” exists between distance and
conventional classroom setting; unlike many believes the ability to interact with the
instructor in a synchronous, it is not truly necessary for quality learning to occur. In
addition to these advantages, distance education is a viable alternative for
individuals who learn more by studying independently.

Al-Asfour, (2012) studied the advantages and disadvantages of distance education
for tribal colleges. Many tribal colleges are already offering distance learning.
Distance education offers students many advantages such as flexibility.
Transportation is another important factor. Students enrolled in online courses do
not need to attend a physical class. In addition, students who take online courses
increase their skills in technology and become better writers. Just as there are
advantages to teaching classes online, there are also disadvantages. Students do not
have many one-on-one meetings with their instructors. In addition, some students
may feel left behind and thus not perform as they should. Students lack of
motivation and self-discipline may delay working on their assignments and fall
behind. Another possible hurdle for online education is that requires access to the
Internet.

Cleborne. Jackque & D. LaMont (2002) believe strongly that distance education,
specifically Web-based distance education, is the single most promising educational
innovation of our lifetime. They think distance education, like every new technology,
has both a light and a dark side. The potential advantages of distance education are
easy to appreciate. These include, among others, the ability to reach learners in
geographically remote locations or those in circumstances that mitigate against
attendance at regular and traditional hours; the potential to reach many types of
non-traditional students; and most importantly, the opportunity for students to
work and learn at a style and pace most consistent with their own mental and
physical constitutions. The disadvantages of distance education are not reality
apparent, although they are becoming much more evident as implementation
spreads across the country and across the world. one of the most series of these
problems is a lack of attention to educational quality control issues.


2. REFLECTION: (250 Words)
• 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:

From my personal point of view, distance education has advantages and disadvantages for
students. Maybe one of the most important advantage is flexibility. Students who are
taking online courses may manage their schedule according to due date of their
assignments. This a great opportunity for students who have to work and care their
immediate and extended families. They may log on from anywhere such as home, office,
library or a coffee shop etc. Another advantage attending a physical class is not
mandatory. Moreover, distance education help improve students in technology knowledge
and skills. On the other hand, there are also drawbacks of distance education. Depending
on the students learning types, distance education may cause isolation for some students
with a high need for face-to-face interaction. Furthermore, distance education needs
motivation and self-discipline. Students cannot delay working on their assignments. This
can be a problem for unmotivated students to complete reading and writing assignments.

Recently, I have realized that I have learned so much more in the online classes I had than
the face to face classes I took in the past. The requirements online courses own obligate
learning, even if you are not paying attention or making effort to learn. I would say that
online classes have helped me pulled through my writing ability since the begging of my
master program. I will take this information and my experience as an online student to
always make sure I am making my presence as a teacher available. This just goes to
emphasize that if you as an instructor genuinely demonstrate that you care, your students
will also try to a little harder.

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:

Al-Asfour, A. (2012). Online Teaching: Navigating Its Advantages, Disadvantages and

Best Practices. Tribal College Journal of American Indian Higher Education,
23(3).

Cleborne, M.D., Jacque, E., & D. LaMont, J. (2002). The Light and Dark Sides of
Distance Education. Computer in Schools. 19(3/4), 1-7.

Fender, D. L. (1999). Distance Education. Professional Safety, 44(10), 26.

Jennifer Lieberman, Online Teaching Guru. (2000). Training, 37(3), 25.

Miltiadou, M., & McIsaac, M. S. (2000). Problems and Practical Solutions of Web-Based
Courses: Lessons Learned from Three Educational Institutions.