RESEARCH PAPER TEMPLATE

North American University

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

Name: Ayan Sharif Date: October 17, 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

This article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of distance learning through the
Internet. Distance learning is best suited for mature motivated learners who cannot afford
the time to participate in a traditional classroom. All articles address that majority of
distance learning students are female and many are single parents who want to stay close
to home for various reasons. They might not be able to afford child care or must care for
a confined relative at home. Other students are physically disabled and cannot easily
travel to campus.

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:
Although distance learning offers more people an opportunity to attain higher education,
it is not all advantages and benefits. Distance learning has costs, requires compromises
and self-motivation is essential for success. However, when you acknowledge and
understand these disadvantages, they are easily overcome. Distant education should be
for those in high school or above. Students come to college for various reasons. They
could be interested in changing careers, or they might simply want to expand their
knowledge base for work or personal reasons. They might want to expand their cultural
background, learn a new language, or start a degree program that was postponed due to
family or career needs. ( Matthews, D. 1999)Their main reason for choosing distance
education as a delivery method is that they want to learn at their own pace or at a time
and location that is convenient to them. Numerous studies have found distance learning
courses as effective as traditional classroom training - or better. Almost a third of
academic leaders recently surveyed felt online education outcomes were superior to those
in traditional learning environments. However, there are challenges to be overcome for
anyone who opts to learn through distance learning. (Phillips, V. 1998.)In a traditional
classroom setting, a student's performance can be immediately assessed through
questions and informal testing. With distance learning, a student has to wait for feedback
until the instructor has reviewed their work and responded to it. Technical requirement
may be difficult to meet for some students who may feel overwhelmed and challenged if
they are not completely computer literate. ( Van Dusen, G. 1997)Technical glitches and
dealing with an unfamiliar learning environment can cause stress and frustration, but
there are many ways to overcome these barriers. A technique I would use in my class is
to add a face for each class member is to have learners create their own PowerPoint slides
featuring either a still picture or video and a brief, two- to three-sentence description
about themselves as a person, not necessarily as a student. I can then create an entire
PowerPoint presentation, featuring all the students, and post it within the course. The
instructor may also want to include his or her picture along with some personal
information.

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:

Anastasiades, P. S. (2009). Interactive Videoconferencing and Collaborative Distance

Learning for K-12 Students and Teachers : Theory and Practice. New York: Nova
Science Publishers, Inc.

Phillips, V. 1998. Virtual classrooms, real education. Nation's Business, 86(5), 41-44.
Van Dusen, G. 1997. The virtual campus: Technology and reform in higher education.
ASHE-ERIC Higher Education Report Volume 25, No. 5. Washington, D.C.: The George
Washington University, Graduate School of Education and Human Development.

Matthews, D. 1999. The origins of distance education and its use in the United
States. Technological Horizons in Education Journal, 27(2), 54-60.

Hall, P. 1996. "Distance education and electronic networking." Information Technology

for Development, 7(2), 75-89.