RESEARCH PAPER TEMPLATE

North American University

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

Date: 10/27/16

Topic Selected:

Topic 3: 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:

Distance education dates back to the mid 1800s, although the methods by which
instruction are delivered have changed. Lease & Brown (2009) cite Ielkes (1999)
definitions of distance learning as, " a method of learning in which the learner is
physically separated from the teacher, as well as the definition offered by the University
of Idaho (2003) which states, distance education as instruction that takes place "when
teacher and students(s) are separated by physical distance and technology...is used to
bridge the instructional gap." The latter definition ostensibly reflects the modern
evolution of distance learning.
Early distance learning programs began as correspondence courses, delivered using the
postal system. Rooted in Europe, it eventually reached popularity in the U. S.
One concern that came about with the turn of the century was the quality of instruction
being offered, presumed to be arising out of diploma mills, so to speak, which churned
out degrees ostensibly unchecked. This led to a call for quality assurance, proposed by
standards for instruction.
Print correspondence was the predominant distance learning method for a century until
changing technologies enabled new forms of instructional delivery. There are four waves
of distance education noted by Lease & Brown (2009): The first was Correspondence

course delivered by the postal service; the second wave was radio & television with the
former by means of audio conferencing during the latter part of the 20th century and the
latter by means of recorded lecture to supplement correspondence material, the third
wave was the television which facilitated instructional delivery when universities such as
U of H began using broadcasting technologies funded by benevolent foundations and
aided by passage of the Educational Broadcasting Facilities Act in the 1960s and
enhanced by fiber optic and satellite technologies, and the fourth wave dawned with the
advent of the World Wide Web and personal computers. Although video conferencing
had advanced the technologies of instructional delivery, it was very expensive, according
to Lease & Brown (2009), who also noted the relevance of the subsequent development
of software support programs such as Blackboard. WebCT. and Lotus Notes, as
influencing the growth of web based instruction.
There are numerous themes that have emerged in modern research with regard to the
advantages and disadvantages of distance learning. They range from economics and
equity to philosophical differences in learner style. With regard to such topics as the
technological proficiency levels of learners, virtual interaction as a collaborative agent,
quality and integrity of distance education, and also the social aspect of learning, the
researchers perspectives reveal varying degrees of agreement on what is considered
advantageous about distance learning with particular focus on online learning.
While Maddux, Taylor & Johnson (2002) view virtual or online distance learning as a
major advantage in being able to reach geographically diverse learners in remote
locations, Kerka (1996) countered that lack of access to the internet [which is still a
challenge for impoverished students today] is a disadvantage. Perhaps this echoes the
social injustice of those who advocate for equitable access to education. Whereas (Cook,
2007, quoted in Maddux & Others (2002)) consider, the opportunity for students to
work and learn at a style and pace most consistent with their own mental and physical
constitutions as an advantage, others such as Kerka (1996) temper this argument,
Although the Internet can promote active learning, some contend that, like television, it
can breed passivity. Herman and Bannister (2007) conducted a study in a particular
course where they concluded that the online format supported the development of
community, but a recent article in E-Learning Update (2014) suggests that online
learning amounts to a , Lack of social interaction between teacher and students.
Further, whereas the study by Herman (2007) concluded in his study that Timely
feedback was another element of the course design enabling student success, the
aforementioned article in E-Learning Update (2014) argues that this format yields a lack
of immediate and timely feedback from teachers.
Maddux & Others (2016) very recently contended, One of the most serious of these
problems [disadvantages] is a lack of attention to educational quality control issues.
This is sure to spark continued debate over online distance learning platforms and
programs given the dynamic and rapid pace of development of these programs. As we
move into more technology laden learning environments both with face to face and
distance learning programs, it is certain that the attention to this topic will be addressed
by educators and policy makers in years to come.

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:
Overall, I conclude from this research that the advantages of distance learning, particularly with
regard to online learning, far outweigh the disadvantages. As education continues to implement
technology instruction into education as early as preschool, and literacy centers have become
technology based (my daughter has an ipad station in her classroom) it is certain that students will
become more proficient with skills needed to navigate online learning environments. Grants and
educational initiatives, along with foundations, have made technology accessible to schools of
with extremely high populations of socie-economically disadvantaged students, thereby enabling
them exposure to gaining computer literacy. As Learner Management Systems become more
prevalent, the workforce has become more populated with skilled workers to develop more user
friendly systems, enhancing user-friendliness to learners.
My school district, consisting mostly of Title IX campuses, was awarded the Race to the Top
Grant several years ago. Part of these funds were used to put technology and online learning
programs into the hands of every student. Still being an English teacher back then, google drive
alone changed the way in which I interacted with students with regard to immediate feedback.
The days of red annotations and editing marks on student compositions were gone, and comment
tools used to point out specific areas of an essay that needed focus enabled me to interact with the
students right on the page. No more lost essays between school and home, all papers were
submitted via shared folders on the google drive, and students could see my feedback
immediately.
My goals for implementing this research into my career involve ideas for how I can create online
collaborative learning environments for staff. PLCs, or Professional Learning Communities, have
been a goal of mine for years with regard to staff development. The challenge has always been
carving out time for teachers to effectively collaborate. With online learning platforms, teachers
can create timelines for progress and schedules for virtual collaboration in a way that maximizes
ideal times for them. Group study of professional pedagogical resource with research based
practices can be assigned over the summer, and teachers can collaborate from anywhere.
In summary, distance learning increases the expanse of opportunities to diverse learning
communities and creates opportunity where little to none existed before. As society becomes
more technology literate and resources become more accessible to a greater number of learners,
the gap in equitable access closes. The potential for research and learning are expanded by online
distance learning, and as technology is instructed at earlier age levels, society becomes more
literate in this mode. The potential for use of technology in education is nearly exponential.
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:
Lease, A. J., & Brown, T. A. (2009). Distance learning Past, Present and Future.
International Journal of Instructional Media, 36(4), 415-426.

Maddux, Cleborne D., 1942- Jacque Ewing-Taylor, and D. LaMont Johnson, 2002. The
Light and Dark Sides of Distance Education. Computers In The Schools 19, no.
: 1-7. Education Source, Ebscohost (access October 26, 2016).
Kerka, S. (1996). Distance Learning, the Internet, and the World Wide Web. ERIC
Digest.
Herman, T. h., & Banister, W. s. (2007). Face-to-Face versus Online Coursework: A
comparison of Costs and Learning Outcomes. Contemporary Issues in
Technology & Teacher Education, 7(4), 318-326.
Online learning vs. traditional learning. (2014). E-Learning Update, (451), 21-25.