Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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 don't need to evaluate your sources (if the sources are trustworthy,
weather the author has a bias or not)
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
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:
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