Archive
ONLINE (DISTANCE) LEARNING: ADVANTAGES, DISADVANTAGES AND STRATEGIES
Authors
Rafet Enes Çakır, Carol Griffiths
Abstract
In recent years, online education (also known as distance education) has greatly increased in scope and popularity. The study reported in this article aimed to investigate the advantages and disadvantages of online learning, as well as strategies for coping with the difficulties that occur. These strategies can help reduce the disadvantages of online learning by providing students with effective ways to manage their learning. The study employed a mixed methodology and was conducted using triangulating a Likert-scale questionnaire for quantitative data, with an open-ended questionnaire for qualitative data. The data thus obtained were analysed by using SPSS for the Likert scales and thematic analysis for the open-ended questions. The two sets of data were then compared. Results of the study suggested that although there were several advantages, online education also presents disadvantages, and it is important for students to be made aware of potential strategies they can use to manage their online experience effectively. Implications drawn from the results are also suggested to improve students’ online experience.
Keywords
online education, advantages of distance education, disadvantages of distance education, coping strategies
DOI
References
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Dörnyei, Z. (2007). Research Methods in Applied Linguistics. Oxford University Press
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Düzgün, S., & Sulak, S. (2020). Opinions of teacher candidates regarding distance education applications during the COVID-19 pandemic process. Journal of National Education, 49(1), 619-633. https://doi.org/10.37669/Milliegitim.787874
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Gören, S., Gök, F., Yalçın, M., Göregen, F., & Çalışkan, M. (2020). Evaluation of distance education in the process of the global pandemic. Education in Turkey and the world during the pandemic process, Journal of National Education, 49(1), 69-94. https://doi.org/10.37669/milliegitim.787145
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Heinich, R., Molenda, M., Russell, J. D., & Smaldino, S. E. (2002). Instructional media and technologies for learning (7th Ed.). Merrill Prentice Hall.
Hemmati, F., & Majorrad, H. (2016). E-learning and distance education: A study of Iranian Teaching English as a Foreign Language Masters’ students. Malaysian Journal of Distance Education, 18(1), 53-70. http://dx.doi.org/10.21315/mjde2016.18.1.4
Holmberg, B. (1994). Theory and practice of distance education. Routledge.
Jin, L, Xu, Y, Deifell, E. & Angus, K. (2021). Emergency remote language teaching and U.S.-based college-level world language educators’ intention to adopt online teaching in postpandemic times. Modern Language Journal, 105/2, 412-434. https://doi.org/10.1111/modl.12712
Kan, A., & Fidan, E. (2016). Student perceptions regarding the conduct of Turkish language course with distance education. Turkish Journal of Educational Studies, 3(2), 23-45.
Katane I., Kristovska I., Katans E. (2015). Evaluation of distance education environmental advantages. Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference Engineering for Rural Development, 14, 720- 728.
Kırmacı, Ö., & Acar, S. (2018). The problems of campus students in simultaneous online distance education. Journal Of Theory And Practice In Education, 14(3), 276-291. https://doi.org/10.17244/Eku.378138.
Kolb, G., & Holmberg, B. (1979). Distance education: A survey and bibliography. The Journal of Higher Education, 50(5), 688. https://doi.org/10.2307/1981234.
Louwrens, N., & Hartnett, M. (2015). Student and teacher perceptions of online student engagement in an online middle school. Journal Of Open, Flexible, And Distance Learning, 19(1), 27-44. DOI: 10.61468/jofdl.v19i1.241
McIsaac, M.S., & Gunawardena, C.N. (1996). Distance education. In D.H. Jonassen, (Ed), Handbook of research for educational communications and technology: A project of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (pp. 403-437). Simon & Schuster Macmillan.
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Nunan, D. (1992). Research Methods in Language Learning. Cambridge University Press
Oxford, R. (2017). Teaching and researching language learning strategies: Self-regulation in context (2nd edition). Routledge.
Özdemir Baki, G., & Çelik, E. (2021). Mathematics teaching experiences of secondary school mathematics teachers in distance education. Western Anatolian Journal of Educational Sciences, 12(1), 293-320. https://doi.org/10.51460/baebd.858655
Özdoğan, A. Ç., & Berkant, H. G. (2020) Distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic: Examination of stakeholder opinions. Journal of National Education, 49(1), 13-43. https://doi.org/10.37669/milliegitim.788118
Özyürek, A., Begde, Z., Yavuz, N., & Özkan, İ. (2016). Evaluation of distance education application from student perspective. Karabuk University Journal of Social Sciences Institute, 6(2), 595-605. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/joiss/issue/30780/323661.
Richards, J. (2020). Reflections on teaching and publishing in the field of TESOL during COVID-19. RELC Journal, 51(3), 333-336. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0033688220971862.
Sarı, T., & Nayır, F. (2020). Challenges in distance education during the (Covid-19) pandemic period. Qualitative Research in Education, 9(3), 328-360. https://doi.org/10.17583/qre.2020.5872
Şirin, R., & Tekdal, M. (2015). Student view on distance education of English courses. Gaziantep University Journal of Social Sciences, 14(1), 323-335. https://doi.org/10.21547/jss.256783
Türker, A., & Dündar, E. (2020). High school teachers' opinions on remote education conducted over the education information network (EBA) during the Covid-19 pandemic process. Journal of National Education, Education in Turkey and the World During the Pandemic Process, 49(1), 323-342. https://doi.org/10.37669/Milliegitim.738702.
Ülger, K. (2021). Problems faced in the distance education model: Opportunities and solutions suggestions. International Journal of Contemporary Educational Research, 7(1), 393-412. Retrieved from https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/intjces/issue/64208/869328.
Wahlstrom, C., Williams, B. K., & Shea, P. (2003). The successful distance learning student. Scratchgravel Publishing Services, Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.
White, C. (1993). Strategy use in foreign language learning: a comparative study. Unpublished doctoral thesis: Massey University, Palmerston Nth, N.Z.
White, C. (2014). The distance learning of foreign languages: A research agenda. Language Teaching 47(4), 538-553. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0261444814000196
Yolcu, H. (2020). Classroom teacher candidates during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic distance learning experiences. Journal of Open Education Practices and Research, 6(4), 237-250. DOI: 10.30783/nevsosbilen.1299322
Zhu, M., Berri, S. Koda, R., & Wu, Y. (2023). Exploring students’ self-directed learning strategies and satisfaction in online learning. Education and Information Technologies 29(3), 1-17. https//doi.org/10.1007/s10639-023-11914-2
Akgül, G. (2021). Opinions of social studies teachers, secondary school students and parents of students on distance education in the pandemic process. (Master's Thesis). Uşak University, Graduate School of Education.
Akgül, G., & Oran, M. (2020). Views of social studies teachers, of middle school students and student parents about distance education during the pandemic process. Journal of New Approaches in Education, 3(2), 15-37. https://doi.org/10.14812/cufej.1035594
Alper, A. (2020). K-12 Level distance education during the pandemic process: Case study. Journal of National Education, 49(1), 45-67. https://doi.org/10.37669/Milliegitim.787735.
Belanger, F., & Jordan, D. H. (2004). Evaluation and implementation of distance learning: Technologies, tools and techniques. Idea Group Publishing.B
Bilgiç, H. G., & Tüzün, H. (2015). Problems in higher education institutions web-based distance education programs. Journal of Open Education Practices and Research, 1(3), 26-50. https://doi.org/10.17718/tojde.690385
Bower, B. L. (2001). Distance education: Facing the faculty challenge. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 4(2), 1-6. https://ojdla.com/archive/summer42/bower42.pdf
Canpolat, U., & Yıldırım, Y. (2021). Examining the distance education experiences of secondary school teachers in the COVID-19 outbreak process. Journal of Open Education Applications and Research, 7(1), 74-109. https://doi.org/10.51535/tell.1229312
Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2018). Research Methods in Education (8th edition). Routledge
Cowan, J. (1995). The advantages and disadvantages of distance education. In R. Howard & I. McGrath (Eds), Distance education for language teachers: A UK perspective, (pp. 14-20). Channel View Publishing.
Dörnyei, Z. (2007). Research Methods in Applied Linguistics. Oxford University Press
Duman, S. (2020). Evaluation of the distance education process carried out during the epidemic period. Education in Turkey and in the world during the pandemic process, National Education Journal, 49(1), 95-112. https://doi.org/10.37669/Milliegitim.768887.
Düzgün, S., & Sulak, S. (2020). Opinions of teacher candidates regarding distance education applications during the COVID-19 pandemic process. Journal of National Education, 49(1), 619-633. https://doi.org/10.37669/Milliegitim.787874
Ekmekçi, E. (2015). Distance-education in foreign language teaching: Evaluations from the perspectives of freshman students. Procedia-Social and Behavioural Sciences, 176, 390-397. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.01.487
Evans, C., & Fan, P. F. (2002) Lifelong learning through the Virtual University. Campus-Wide Information Systems, 19(4), 127-134. https://doi.org/10.1108/10650740210438810
Gök, B. (2011). The perception of distance education faculty members regarding distance education (Master’s Thesis). Gazi University institute of informatics.
Gören, S., Gök, F., Yalçın, M., Göregen, F., & Çalışkan, M. (2020). Evaluation of distance education in the process of the global pandemic. Education in Turkey and the world during the pandemic process, Journal of National Education, 49(1), 69-94. https://doi.org/10.37669/milliegitim.787145
Griffiths, C. (2018). The strategy factor in successful language learning (2nd edition): The Tornado Effect. Multilingual Matters. https://doi.org/10.21832/9781783099757
Griffiths, C. (2022). What have we learnt from the COVID experience? Second Language Teacher Education, 1(2), 115-135. https://doi.org/10.1558/slte.21678
Gündüz, A. Y. (2013). Teacher candidates' perception of distance education. (Master’s Thesis). Sakarya University, Graduate School of Education.
Gürer, M. D, Tekinarslan, E., & Yavuzalp, N. (2016). Opinions of online lecturers about distance education. Turkish Online Journal of Qualitative Inquiry, 7(1), 47-78. http://dergipark.gov.tr/download/articlefile/199894
Harry, K., & Rumble, G. (1982). The distance teaching universities. St. Martin's Press.
Heinich, R., Molenda, M., Russell, J. D., & Smaldino, S. E. (2002). Instructional media and technologies for learning (7th Ed.). Merrill Prentice Hall.
Hemmati, F., & Majorrad, H. (2016). E-learning and distance education: A study of Iranian Teaching English as a Foreign Language Masters’ students. Malaysian Journal of Distance Education, 18(1), 53-70. http://dx.doi.org/10.21315/mjde2016.18.1.4
Holmberg, B. (1994). Theory and practice of distance education. Routledge.
Jin, L, Xu, Y, Deifell, E. & Angus, K. (2021). Emergency remote language teaching and U.S.-based college-level world language educators’ intention to adopt online teaching in postpandemic times. Modern Language Journal, 105/2, 412-434. https://doi.org/10.1111/modl.12712
Kan, A., & Fidan, E. (2016). Student perceptions regarding the conduct of Turkish language course with distance education. Turkish Journal of Educational Studies, 3(2), 23-45.
Katane I., Kristovska I., Katans E. (2015). Evaluation of distance education environmental advantages. Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference Engineering for Rural Development, 14, 720- 728.
Kırmacı, Ö., & Acar, S. (2018). The problems of campus students in simultaneous online distance education. Journal Of Theory And Practice In Education, 14(3), 276-291. https://doi.org/10.17244/Eku.378138.
Kolb, G., & Holmberg, B. (1979). Distance education: A survey and bibliography. The Journal of Higher Education, 50(5), 688. https://doi.org/10.2307/1981234.
Louwrens, N., & Hartnett, M. (2015). Student and teacher perceptions of online student engagement in an online middle school. Journal Of Open, Flexible, And Distance Learning, 19(1), 27-44. DOI: 10.61468/jofdl.v19i1.241
McIsaac, M.S., & Gunawardena, C.N. (1996). Distance education. In D.H. Jonassen, (Ed), Handbook of research for educational communications and technology: A project of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (pp. 403-437). Simon & Schuster Macmillan.
Milrad, M., & Flensburg, P. (2007). Current approaches to network-based learning in Scandinavia (Guest Editorial). Educational Technology & Society, 10(4), 1-2. https://hv.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2%3A211198&dswid=8829
Nunan, D. (1992). Research Methods in Language Learning. Cambridge University Press
Oxford, R. (2017). Teaching and researching language learning strategies: Self-regulation in context (2nd edition). Routledge.
Özdemir Baki, G., & Çelik, E. (2021). Mathematics teaching experiences of secondary school mathematics teachers in distance education. Western Anatolian Journal of Educational Sciences, 12(1), 293-320. https://doi.org/10.51460/baebd.858655
Özdoğan, A. Ç., & Berkant, H. G. (2020) Distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic: Examination of stakeholder opinions. Journal of National Education, 49(1), 13-43. https://doi.org/10.37669/milliegitim.788118
Özyürek, A., Begde, Z., Yavuz, N., & Özkan, İ. (2016). Evaluation of distance education application from student perspective. Karabuk University Journal of Social Sciences Institute, 6(2), 595-605. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/joiss/issue/30780/323661.
Richards, J. (2020). Reflections on teaching and publishing in the field of TESOL during COVID-19. RELC Journal, 51(3), 333-336. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0033688220971862.
Sarı, T., & Nayır, F. (2020). Challenges in distance education during the (Covid-19) pandemic period. Qualitative Research in Education, 9(3), 328-360. https://doi.org/10.17583/qre.2020.5872
Şirin, R., & Tekdal, M. (2015). Student view on distance education of English courses. Gaziantep University Journal of Social Sciences, 14(1), 323-335. https://doi.org/10.21547/jss.256783
Türker, A., & Dündar, E. (2020). High school teachers' opinions on remote education conducted over the education information network (EBA) during the Covid-19 pandemic process. Journal of National Education, Education in Turkey and the World During the Pandemic Process, 49(1), 323-342. https://doi.org/10.37669/Milliegitim.738702.
Ülger, K. (2021). Problems faced in the distance education model: Opportunities and solutions suggestions. International Journal of Contemporary Educational Research, 7(1), 393-412. Retrieved from https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/intjces/issue/64208/869328.
Wahlstrom, C., Williams, B. K., & Shea, P. (2003). The successful distance learning student. Scratchgravel Publishing Services, Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.
White, C. (1993). Strategy use in foreign language learning: a comparative study. Unpublished doctoral thesis: Massey University, Palmerston Nth, N.Z.
White, C. (2014). The distance learning of foreign languages: A research agenda. Language Teaching 47(4), 538-553. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0261444814000196
Yolcu, H. (2020). Classroom teacher candidates during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic distance learning experiences. Journal of Open Education Practices and Research, 6(4), 237-250. DOI: 10.30783/nevsosbilen.1299322
Zhu, M., Berri, S. Koda, R., & Wu, Y. (2023). Exploring students’ self-directed learning strategies and satisfaction in online learning. Education and Information Technologies 29(3), 1-17. https//doi.org/10.1007/s10639-023-11914-2