Development, Advantages and Disadvantages of Distance Learning - Research Paper Example

? Evolution of distance education Task: Introduction Distance education is a technique of conveying education through the utilization of teaching methods that allow communication of individuals situated a distance apart. A traditional learning setting such as a classroom is absent in this method. The students’ location and information source are estranged by both distance, as well as time. The research has revealed the rise in practice of distance education with the onset of advanced information technology. The “West Virginia University” (WVU) is among the institutions that have offered distance education for several years (Ludlow & Duff, 2009). Reports on the same reveal it to have practiced this method of education for over 20 years. The advancement of the current technology has resulted to intensification of this practice in majority of institutions in the US. The WVU has implemented online learning sessions for delivering special education. Since the time before, mediation of the distance between students, institutions together with the respective instructors have been determined by the most current technology utilized. Therefore, this script is of profound significance, as it would efficiently describe the evolution of distance education by presenting a research plan (Ludlow & Duff, 2009). Statement of the research problem This study aims at the identification of how distance education has evolved since its initiation. A number of sources addresses the same issue but from dissimilar perspectives. The application of distance education has been exploited in different parts of the globe, and this brings about the noted variations. It is in noting the extent to which this form of education has evolved that identifying those factors necessary for such an occurrence would be easier. This study aims to reveal strategies that those involved ought to implement in enhancing efficacy required in this form of service delivery. The less developed and developing countries are deficient of the most current technology that is decidedly in use by the already developed states. These nations, especially those from Africa will be able to learn the concepts to adopt in order to initiate the distance education program. Therefore, the research question is; does enhancement in technology contribute towards the evolution of distance education? Review of the related literature The augmentation in the current technology has allowed WVU to utilize the technology aided distance education. According to a research conducted by numerous scholars, such a university has practiced distance education for more than two decades since 1980s (Ludlow & Duff, 2009). As this university initiated this process, it only endeavored to experiment whether it could work. However, their experimental attempts have resulted to the current expansive development in the use of this concept. The WVU distance education deals with offering programs on special education. The careful review of the literature designates an increase in the fraction of those enrolling in these programs each year. Additionally, it also depicts a rise in those completing such a program each academic year. During the introduction of this concept in the university, the majority of the participants were from within, but currently the participants emanate from all over the US. Moreover, the technology advancement has enabled individuals from all over the globe to participate in the distance learning activity. Literature indicates that the broadcast television; the most complicated technology of the day was used during the introduction of distance education programs. The development of courses that could be made available to students via the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) is what resulted to utilization of the television (Huett et al., 2008). After these students completing the syllabus, they sat for assignments later submitted for marking via the mail. The initial use of satellite for education purposes encountered numerous challenges. For instance, this method failed to provide a room for communication. As a result, holding of discussion, which is a basic constituent of any learning process, was almost impossible. This together with an augmented cost of transmission made the distance education process an intricate undertaking. Later in the years of 1990s, the invention of the internet technology also resulted to an improvement in the delivery system applied at WVU. The creation of web pages by both the students, as well as the instructors allowed posting of the syllabus for every person to access. The introduction of an online management system the university was of profound significance as it aided in enhancing interactions that lacked in the traditional system of learning. A recent survey indicated that an approximate of 3.94 million students across the US participated in online learning. This is a report of 2007, and it showed a 12% increase from previous results. The survey also indicated that 20% of those in post secondary level were at least taking one online course. However, the study failed to establish whether offering of such courses was conducted independently or was in cohorts (Anderson, 2009). After a careful examination of the methods used in delivering the contents of such courses, it is evident that the use of cohorts was more appropriate than using independent studies. The definition of distance education relies strongly on the technology available at an instance. The theatres, as well as the online technology, have been adopted in providing such differences (Allen & Seaman, 2007). The different characteristics applied in order for an individual to note how this form of education has evolved include the ability to provide it in real time. The traditional method of mailing, for instance, failed to offer a real time service since mails could take a long time before reaching their designated destination. Besides, mailing failed to support group interactions. However, the current technologies used in communication of the information needed to different entities allow group interactions. The review of a different literature describing the same issue of evolution of distance education focuses on some of its positive impacts. As described in this literature, it is evident that this strategy has enhanced the democratization process across countries (Allen & Seaman, 2007). Moreover, distance education has stalwartly contributed to education scholarship enhancement. This, as a result, led to development of a learning community. In a different source, it is notable distance education in KS-2 schools has been profound in settling some of the unmet needs. However, a number of policy issues are associated with the programs. For instance, issues regarding to who ought to provide funding for such programs have been a subject of concern. Statement of hypothesis The literature defines a hypothesis as a statement that one can approve or disapprove. The most appropriate way of making a hypothesis is through changing the research question into a statement. Therefore, the hypothesis for this research is that enhanced technology will result to an improved online learning. An alternative hypothesis will be suitable for the research. A careful review of the literature concerning other researches on the same field will be of significance in supporting, or disapproving the stated hypothesis. Participants In obtaining the most suitable information needed in answering the research question, it would be necessary carefully choose the participants. As indicated in the review of the related literature, instructors, students and website designers have highly been involved in online learning, which has aided in the evolution of distance education. The entities discussed above will be suitable in the entire research process. Instruments In an effort to establish whether the use of the most recent technology has positively affected the evolution of distance education, it would be essential to employ instruments such as questionnaires. Interviewing those involved, the learning process would help gather all the necessary information. In those interview questionnaires, the researcher ought to construct a number of relevant questions answers would help in understanding how such form of education has evolved (Beiske, 2007). The use of interview questions would be one of the most appropriate methods since incase of open-ended questions, it is possible to assemble a broad range of information. In addition to the usage of interviews, the use of questionnaire method would also be suitable in gathering information from respondents located at different parts around the globe. In ensuring that such respondents can access the questionnaires to provide responses, the utilization of the mail would be necessary (Beiske, 2007). After answering the questions, respondents mail them back for review, interpretation and data analysis. As indicated in other literatures, the application of the above stated instruments would be more than 90% reliable and valid. Design and procedure In most of the literatures, a research design is compared with the procedure followed incase an individual wishes to construct a building. One must first establish the category of a building prior to its construction. The same thing applies when performing a research. A research design is basic as it make ascertains that the available evidence can sufficiently answer the study question. One the researcher states the study question, and then it becomes necessary to source the evidence to use for answering it. This as a result helps in the determination of the data collection procedures. The past researches have depicted an increased likelihood of an individual to decide on how to collect data prior to making a research design. Therefore, the construction of a research design ought to be the first thing, followed by decision on data collection procedures. After the collection of such data, its analysis, interpretation, and presentation follow (Beiske, 2007). In this study, a number of groups are involved in gathering all the needed information. Therefore, it is necessary to note that instructors, students, as well as web developers from diverse regions would participate in the study. The dependent variable for this study will be the rate at which the distance education has evolved. The independent would be the technology. The goal of the study would be to establish how the recent technological advancements have affected the evolution of distance education. In addition to the above, the study will be beneficial in understanding those places, where online learning is highly in use. It is also a basic idea to indicate that this will be a descriptive research. The key constraints towards an achievement of the anticipated research would be insufficiency of finances and the barrier in communication. Data analysis to use After considering the fact that the hypothesis for this study is alternative, and the design is descriptive, it would be appropriate to use a chi-square for analysis purposes. After the analysis of the data obtained, it will be easy to establish the effect of technology on distance education along with the trend that it is likely to take. Time schedule and budget These two are critical in the research process. The failure to determine the duration that would be required in every step of the course can adversely influence the anticipated results. The duration for this research would go for at least one year since the collection of data would be from individuals located at diverse locations. The determination of the amount needed is also an important aspect of the research process. However, the amount allocated would vary. Conclusion The evolution of distance education started in the 18th century in a number of higher learning institutions of US. At the time of its initiation television forecasting and mailing system were highly utilized in communicating the information. The 19th century witnessed the invention of internet technology that also aided in the evolution. There is a need to perform a research aimed to establish whether the improvement in technology has helped such evolution globally. The literature matrix Author/s Year Has technology advancement affected distant education? Has distance education resulted to academic achievement? Technology applied Allen, E., & Seaman, J. 2007 Yes Yes internet Anderson, T. 2009 Yes Yes Internet Beiske, B. 2007 Yes To a very large extent Internet Huett, J. et al. 2008 Yes Yes Broadcast technology Ludlow, B., & Duff, M. 2009 Yes Yes Internet References Allen, E., & Seaman, J. (2007). Online nation: Five years of growth in online learning. Sloan Consortium. Retrieved March 30, 2012 from: http://www.sloan-c.org/publications/survey/pdf/online_nation.pdf Anderson, T. (2009). A rose by any other name: still distance education—a response to D.R. Garrison: implications of online and blended learning for the conceptual development and practice of distance education, Journal of Distance education, 23 (3), 111-116. Beiske, B. (2007). Research methods: uses and limitations of questionnaires, interviews, and case studies. Norderstedt, GER: GRIN Verlag publishers. Huett, J. et al. (2008). The evolution of distance education: implications for instructional design on the potential of the web, TechtTends, 52 (5), 63-67. Ludlow, B., & Duff, M. (2009). Evolution of distance education at West Virginia University: accomplishments, present activities and future plans, Rural Special Education Quarterly, 28 (3), 9-17. Read More