RESEARCH PAPER TEMPLATE

North American University

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

Date: 06/17/2016

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:

We have seen a dramatic increase in the number of the online educational
systems and students participating in such programs. Factors that have
contributed to such growth include, the increasing cost of education, coinciding
with the reduced financial aid now available to full-time students. (ODonoghue,
2004). With the use of technology, education can surpass the physical
boundaries of the conventional way of the brick and mortar institutes and provide
students the opportunity to experience more.(Posey, Burgess, Eason, & Jones,
2013)
According to Robert B. Cummings, Director Learning Resources Center,
SHRP-SON at University of Alabama at Birmingham market research indicates
that the following assumptions are possible for us:
50% of learning will continue to be "in person", involving things only available in
person, although most of this activity will be facilitation
50% of learning will take place on the Internet, which is a better vehicle for
cognitive learning due to the extent of information, low cost, and convenience
Employers will expect to hire people who know how to learn on-line
Education will become more student oriented (convenient), rather than faculty
oriented
Internet will dominate teleconferencing, because it's cheaper (lower
technological investment) than video codecs, offers universal access, and has a
high level of interactivity

 Personal computers will be ubiquitous

Therefore the source of the internet and the convenience of the technology in
education cannot be ignored. Carter (2001) comments that e-learning is moving
upwards on the agenda for almost every university and college. Yet, still it seems
opinions remain divided regarding the advantages and disadvantages of this
particular mode of study.
First of all a large percentage of the teachers remain reluctant and skeptical
about the Internet, with Becker in 2000 stating that up to 70% of American
teachers fall into the reluctant or late adopter categories when it comes to new
technologies. Also, Becker showed that only 20% of teachers are at an advanced
skill level to integrate technology use into the classroom. Possible reasons for
this giant chasm in technology skills amongst teachers:
1. Teachers have skills with people. In many cases computers do not interest
people persons, as the interaction is predominantly one-sided.
2. Teachers need to know that the time they spend on learning a new skill will
result in better student performance. They need to see value for time invested.
(McKenzie 1999)
3. Most teachers are not pioneers in the computer field. They want products that
are finished and have been tested, refined and perfected so they can see the
finished product and then make a decision as to how it can be implemented into
their program.
4. Teachers are busy people; they do not have time to mess around. (McKenzie
1999)
5. Teachers do not like surprises or disappointments in the classroom when
they have planned for something, it needs to be there. Technology is still an
unstable commodity. (McKenzie 1999)
6. The language of technology can be overwhelming and confusing to a nonuser.
(McKenzie 1999)
7. Lack of support within the school system prevents people from asking
questions and moving forward beyond the survival or mastery stages.
(McKenzie 1999)
8. Some Teachers are uncomfortable with the changing role of facilitating
learning rather than directing or being in control. (McKenzie 1995)
9. Not knowing where to begin (Williams 1993)
10. Suspicion of technology or change. (Williams 1993)
11. Not knowing how to fix small glitches when they occur, hence do not like the
possibility of this happening in the classroom and not knowing how to fix the
problem. (Tipton et al 1998)
12. Reluctance to take the time to introduce an Internet based activity when there
are so many other methods of instruction which are initially more efficient. (Tipton
et al 1998)
13. The risk that students may wander into inappropriate sites, and create a
problem for the teacher. (Tipton et al1998)
14. Instructional goals, teacher experience, subject matter or curriculum area,
available resources and support, and student needs are all factors that affect
teacher's technology use. If they are in the mindset of incorporating technology
when they plan a unit, it will not happen. (U.S. Congress 1995)
In spite of poor policy support, abysmal resources and inadequate supply of
instructional talent, distance education has grown in the last 30 years at
phenomenal rates in almost all developing countries as well as developed ones

Advantages
Several advantages for using the Internet have been found. One significant
advantage is that the virtual classroom can help with instructor organization.
Areas for course documents, assignments, class notes and other information can
be readily categorized. The creation of a virtual notebook can make locating
documents easier for both instructor and student. Having this information on the
Internet can provide faculty with a method for quickly updating and revising
course content.(Posey, Burgess, Eason, & Jones, 2013)
E-learning also offers individualized instruction, which print media, cannot
provide, and instructor-led courses allow clumsily and at great cost. In
conjunction with assessing needs, e-learning can target specific needs. And by
using learning style tests, e-learning can locate and target individual learning
preferences.
Additionally, synchronous e-learning is self-paced. Advanced learners are
allowed to speed through or bypass instruction that is redundant while novices
slow their own progress through content, eliminating frustration with themselves,
their fellow learners, and the course.(Kruse, 2001)
Furthermore, the way in which online learning differs from conventional
classroom learning, and the different opportunities offered by the online
environment are highlighted by Evans and Fan (2002), who suggest that there
are three main advantages to online learning:
1) learner-determined location for learning whereby students are able to
choose their own place of study;
2) learner-determined time of learning students are able to organize their own
individual learning schedule, rather than having to study on a specific day at a
specific time, and finally;
3) learner-determined pace of study students are able to set their own
individual pace of study without being held up by slower students or vice-versa.
(ODonoghue, 2004).
Cost is also considered to be an advantage. Students save money by not
having to commute to class thus saving time, gasoline, childcare, and travel
expenses. Another advantage of the virtual classroom is time. Students who are
motivated and/or quick learners may be permitted to move ahead at a faster rate
than in a normal in-class setting. Communication is considered a benefit because
most contact with instructors will be done via email, messages can be sent at any
time day or night. (Posey, Burgess, Eason, & Jones, 2013)
Disadvantages
Distance learning on the Internet has its advantages however unfortunately it
also has some disadvantages. One of the most persistent problems has been the
factor of time. Professors have expressed their disgust about not having too
much demand on their time. The use of the Internet causes many professors to
step out of their comfort zones because; Internet teaching goes against the

traditional method of teaching. In order to capitalize on the benefits of the

Internet, the professors must first structure their material to fit the layout of the
Internet. This process does not occur overnight, it requires time, dedication, and
some patience. They are required to adjust their curriculum to meet the standard
requirement for providing the right resources for the users (students). It can
require more time than teachers want exert or afford to give up. According to
Robert Tinker, many teachers who have tried online classes were overcome by
the enrollment of ten to twelve students. An email account had to be formed for
each individual student, which was ultimately the responsibility of the professor.
One teacher stated It is like having unlimited office hours. (Tinker 1998).
Traditionally, professors have the flexibility of making their own office hours to fit
their schedule. Online courses cause professors to be on call twenty-four hours a
day because students expect a prompt response or feedback when they send
email.(Posey, Burgess, Eason, & Jones, 2013)
As to the learner, technology issues of the learners can be considered another
disadvantage for online learning, most commonly technophobia and unavailability
of required technologies. Also, portability of training has become strength of elearning with the proliferation of network linking points, notebook computers,
PDAs, and mobile phones, but still does not rival that of printed workbooks or
reference material. Another factor can be reduced social and cultural interaction.
The impersonality, suppression of communication mechanisms such as body
language, and elimination of peer-to-peer learning that are part of this potential
disadvantage are lessening with advances in communications technologies.
(Kruse, 2001)

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 a distance education program student, I should not talk against the online
schools. Because, I am a teacher and I have to work to take care of my family. At
the same time I want to pursue my further education in order to both improve
myself and have a chance to get a better position in educational field. Without
online learning systems it does not seem to be possible, at least for now.
Therefore, distance learning programs are definitely beneficial for some students
like me.
However, at the same time there are several disadvantages for online programs.
In my experience, internet issues are the biggest problems. Sometimes we are
experiencing internet connectivity problem, and if you are an online program

student, you have to wait until problem is solved to submit your assignments.
Another disadvantage could be the interaction between professor and the
student. For instance I have been a student in North American Universitys
Distance Education Program and have not met with any of my teachers in
person.
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:
Becker, H.J. 2000, Findings from the Teaching, Learning, and Computing Survey:
IsLarry Cuban Right? Education Policy Analysis Archives Volume 8 Number 51
November 15, 2000 (online) http://epaa.asu.edu/epaa/v8n51/
Carter, M. (2001) Universities begin to e-learn the ropes; E-learning was hyped
as the next big thing, but technology restrictions have meant that universities are
adopting a softly approach instead. The Independent, p. 9.
Evans, C. & Fan, P. F. (2002) Lifelong learning through the virtual university.
Campus-Wide Information Systems, 19(4), http://www.emeraldinsight.com/10650741.htm
Kruse, K. (2001) The benefits and drawbacks of e-learning.
http://www.elearningguru.com/articles/art1_3.htm
McKenzie, J. 1999, Reaching the reluctant teacher. From Now On (online)
http://www.fno.org/sum99/reluctant.html
ODonoghue, A comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of IT based
education and the implications upon students. Interactive Educational
Multimedia, number 9 (November 2004), pp. 63-76
http://www.ub.es/multimedia/iem
Posey, Burgess, Eason, & Jones, 2013, The Advantages and Disadvantages of
the Virtual Classroom and the Role of the Teacher,
www.swdsi.org/swdsi2010/sw2010_preceedings/papers/pa126.pd
Tipton, P.E., Bennett, C.K., and Bennett, J.A. 1998, Using Technology in the
classroom to maximize the advantages of diversity. (online)
http://www.cssjournal.com/tipton.html
U.S. Congress, Office of Technology Assessment. 1995 Teachers and
Technology: Making the Connection, OTA-EHR-616 Washington, DC: U.S.
Government
Printing Office, April 1995. Available for PDF download from
http://www.wws.princeton.edu/~ota/disk1/1995/9541.html

Williams, B. 1993, Barriers to New Technologies, Part One: Staff Balkanization.

From
Now On Vol 4 No 1 September, 1993 (online)
http://www.fno.org/FNOSept93.html