spfister - EDIT 5370 - MODULE 5 - Report: Researching Distance Education



Stephen Pfister

EDIT-5370

Module 5 - Report: Researching Distance Education

February 24, 2019

Distance education research has steadily increased over the last three decades. With the increase in research and more debate between educational leaders and scholars, the field has seen rapid growth. Data and information studies have helped researchers identify the advantages and disadvantages of distance and traditional education methods. Research is showing that neither necessarily show any clear edges. Both methods show positive and negative impacts on learning and development.

With no clear edge going to either, the focus of research was able to shift to looking more at the categories of distance education and how it can be improved. The researchers no longer have to spend time and resources trying to discover which educational method is better. They can now focus deeper into distance education, allowing educators to improve the education they are providing. This holds true in distance education as well as traditional. Learners have the new advantage of deciding which learning environment best suits their requirements for success.

The idea and the research of distance education have been heavily critiqued. By developing specialized categories and working within their realms, researchers have been able to add credibility and value to distance education research. For example, in 1985, Börje Holmberg created a list of categories to use when researching the distance education discipline. The categories include:
  • Philosophy and theory of distance education 
  • Distance students, their milieu, conditions, and study motivations 
  • Subject matter presentation 
  • Communication and interaction between students and their supporting organization (tutors, counselors, administrators, other students) 
  • Administration and organization 
  • Economics 
  • Systems (comparative distance education, typologies, evaluation, etc.) 
  • History of distance education. 
Breaking down and organizing the research has helped to shift the focus away from “which type of education is better” and point to the value that distance education can provide when properly utilized.

More distance education systems being implemented has helped to remove the constraints of time and place as requirements for learners, to allow them to focus more on learning the information. The popularity of distance education has exploded with more readily available internet access. However, distance learning was in effect as early as the 1800s. During this time, correspondence courses were set up for learners who lived in rural areas, offering them a chance to gain an education. It’s not a new concept and should be considered at least an equal to traditional education systems.

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