RESEARCH PAPER TEMPLATE

North American University

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

Name: Melike Oncu Date: 11/22/2020

Topic Selected:
What does the research say about advantages and disadvantages of distance education?

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:
There are many definitions of e-learning. According to Garisson and Anderson
(2003), as cited in Muhammad Rais and Yusup Hashim (2004), e-learning is a network or
online learning that takes place in a formal context and uses a range of multimedia
technologies. It is a learning system that is supported by electronic hardware and software
either online (synchronous) or offline (asynchronous). Chan et al. (2007) highlighted that
e-learning includes computer-enhanced learning or training which is usually delivered via
a personal computer. Learning is delivered by other communication technologies whose
methods of delivery include online lectures, tutorials and learning support systems.
Effective e-learning is often a blend of methods.
In other words distance learning, often called distance education, is the process
where students utilize the internet to attend classes and complete courses, without having
to physically attend a school. Distance learning is increasing in popularity as technology
advances and more opportunities arise for students to participate in quality distance
education. (Wgu.edu,2020)
Distance Education has both its advantages and disadvantages. This article, which is
a study examining on the student's perspective on the effectiveness of using e-learning,
mentions a questionnaire. This quantitative research includes 45 secondary school
students. The last part of the questionnaire, Identify the advantages and disadvantages of
e-learning from the student perspective. Based on questionnaire, 23.81% of the students
admitted that the main advantage of e-learning is that it ‘enables learning at any place’.
The researchers agree that e-learning provides benefits to students in terms of easy access
at any places. Face to face contact with friends was the major disadvantage of e-learning
(25.28%). According to Borstorff and Lowe (2007), the lack of face-to-face interaction
among the students in their studies was the main objection to e-learning. From the
researchers’ point of view, collaborative learning among peers provided by e-learning is
beneficial for the students since they may exchange ideas and enhance their knowledge.