A Review of Benefits and Limitations of Online Learning in the Context of the Student, the Instructor and the Tenured Faculty

Appana, Subhashni

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A Review of Benefits and Limitations of Online Learning in the Context of the Student, the Instructor and the Tenured Faculty

Appana, S. (2008). A Review of Benefits and Limitations of Online Learning in the Context of the Student, the Instructor and the Tenured Faculty. International Journal on E-Learning, 7(1), 5-22. Chesapeake, VA: AACE.
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Journal Information

International Journal on E-Learning
ISSN 1537-2456
Volume 7, Issue 1, January 2008
Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE) Chesapeake, VA

More Information on IJEL

Table of Contents

Author

Subhashni Appana, College of Foundation Studies, University of the South Pacific, Fiji

Abstract

Distance education is a formal learning activity, which occurs when students and instructors are separated by geographic distance or by time. Learning is supported by communications technology such as television, videotape, computers, e-mail, and mail. Online learning is any learning experience or environment that relies upon the Internet/World Wide Web (WWW or Web) as the primary delivery mode of communication and presentation. There are potential benefits of investing in online learning for example, increased access, improved quality of learning, better preparation of students for a knowledge-based society, "lifelong" learning opportunity, profit making, and many more. Limitations are also evident in this popular learning environment. Among them are: (a) online learning start-up funding, (b) organizational preparedness, and (c) student readiness. This article will review the benefits and limitations of online learning from three perspectives namely, (a) the student, (b) the instructor, and (c) the tenured faculty (faculty offering the programme).

Keywords

References

An, H., & Kim, S. (2006, March). The benefits and limitations of online group work in a teacher education program. In C. Crawford, D.A. Willis, R. Carlsen, I. Gibson, K. McFerrin, Jerry Price, et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2006 (pp. 2465-2472), Orlando, FL. Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.
Banathy, B. (1994). Designing educational systems: Creating our future in a changing world. In C.M. Reigeluth & R.J. Garfinkle (Eds.), Systematic change in education (pp. 27-34). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Educational Technology Publications.
Bartolic-Zlomislic, S., & Bates, A. (1999). Investing in on-line learning: Potential benefits and limitations. Canadian Journal of Communication, 24(3), 349-366.
Bartley, S. J., & Golek, J. H. (2004). Evaluating the cost effectiveness of online and face-to-face instruction. Educational Technology and Society, 7(4), 167-175.
Berge, Z., & Huang, Y. (2004). A model for sustainable student retention: A holistic perspective on the student dropout problem with special attention to e-learning. DEOSNEWS, 13(5).
Brandt, D.S. (1996, February). Teaching the net: Innovative techniques in internet training. Paper presented at the 11th Annual Computers in Business Conference, Washington, DC.
Conlon, T. (1997). The internet is not a panacea. Scottish Educational Review, 29(1), 30-38. Curtis, D., & Lawson, M. (2001). Exploring collaborative online learning. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 5(1), 21-34.
Dehler, C. (2004, March). The pedagogy and design of online teacher professional development. In In C. Crawford, D.A. Willis, R. Carlsen, I Gibson, K. McFerrin, Jerry Price, et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2004 (pp. 2107-2112), Atlanta, GA. Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.
Dolence, M., & Norris, D. (1995). Transforming higher education: A vision for learning in the 21st century. Ann Arbor, MI: Society for College and University Planning.
Flye, A., Gibson, G., Seemann, E., & Wilkinson, L. (2002, March). Technology as a developmental influence. In C. Crawford, D.A. Willis, R. Carlsen, I Gibson, K. McFerrin, Jerry Price, et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2002 (pp. 2511-2512), Nashville, TN. Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.
Freeman, M., & Bamford, A. (2004). Student choice of anonymity for learner identity in online learning discussion forums. International Journal on E-Learning, 3(3), 45-53.
Gallick, S. (1998). Technology in higher education: Opportunities and threats. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED415929)
Gary, J., & Remolino, L. (2000). Coping with loss and grief through on-line support groups. In J. Bloom & G. Walz (Eds.), Cybercounseling and cyberlearning: Strategies and resources for the millennium (pp. 95-115). Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.
Hannum, W., & Briggs, L. (1982). How does instructional system design differ from traditional instruction? Educational Technology, 22(1), 9-14.
Hill, J.R. (1997). Distance learning environments via world wide web. In B.H. Khan (Ed.), Webbased instruction (pp. 75-80). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Educational Technology Publications. Hiraki, K., Kawahara, S., & Yonekura, T. (2004, June). Web.com: Web-browser-for-communication; aiming for web-based class. In P. Kommers & G. Richards (Eds.), Proceedings of World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications 2004 (pp. 281-286), Lugano, Switzerland. Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education. Hoyt, B., & Stockman, M. (1999, June). Multi-tiered technology interventions: The virtual business training center an online corporate university. In P. Kommers & G. Richards (Eds.), Proceedings of World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications 1999 (P. 1551), Seattle, WA. Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.
Knight, J., & Bermant, B. (2002, March). Profession or vocation? The changing roles of college faculty. In C. Crawford, D.A. Willis, R. Carlsen, I. Gibson, K. McFerrin, Jerry Price, et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2002 (pp. 606-607), Nashville, TN. Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.
Lu, W., Diggs, L., & Wedman, J. (2004, June). Building cross cultural partnerships through the internet: What works and what doesn'T. In P. Kommers & G. Richards (Eds.), Proceedings of World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications 2004
Manner, J. (2003, March). Avoiding esolation in online education. In C. Crawford, D.A. Willis, R. Carlsen, I Gibson, K. McFerrin, Jerry Price, et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2003 (pp. 408-410), Albuquerque, NM. Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.
Manner, J. (2004, November). Best practices for supporting the non-traditional student in online education. In G. Richards (Ed.), Proceedings of World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education 2004 (pp. 2395-2398), Washington, DC. Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.
Marlino, M. (2002, June). Educational digital libraries: Building community; building libraries. In P. Kommers & G. Richards (Eds.), Proceedings of World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications 2002 (pp. 1223-1225), Denver, CO. Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.
Murgatroyd, S. (1992). Business, education, and business education. In M. G. Moore (Ed.), Distance education for corporate and military training: Readings in distance education (No. 3, pp. 50-63). University Park, PA: Penn State University, American Center for the Study of Distance Education.
Olugbenga, O.D., Rotimi, O., & Olakulehin, F.K. (2006). Attitudes and perceptions of students to open and distance learning in Nigeria. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 9(2). Reparaz, C., Naval, C., & Lara, S. (2004, June). Online managing, tutoring and evaluation of practical training project. In P. Kommers & G. Richards (Eds.), Proceedings of World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications 2004 (pp. 50735075),
Restauri, S. (2004, March). Supporting instructors in the use of technology in the distance education classroom. In C. Crawford, D.A. Willis, R. Carlsen, I. Gibson, K. McFerrin, Jerry Price, et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2004 (pp. 2577-2581), Atlanta, GA. Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.
Roblyer, M., & Ekhaml, L. (2001, March). A rubric for assessing the interactive qualities of distance learning courses: Results from faculty and student feedback. In C. Crawford, D.A. Willis, R. Carlsen, I. Gibson, K. McFerrin, Jerry Price, et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2001 (pp. 2925-2930), Orlando, FL. Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.
Shea, P. (2006). A study of students’ sense of learning in online environments. Journal of Asynchronous Learn ing Networks, 10 (1). Retr ieved September 19, 2007, from
Stick, S.L., & Ivankova, N.V. (2004). A decade of innovation and success in virtual learning: A world-wide asynchronous graduate program and educational leadership and higher education. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, VII (IV).
Stevens, G., Gatling, S., & Murdock, T. (2004, November). Designing "culturally dynamic" online learning environments: Using MOODLE implementations. In G. Richards (Ed.), Proceedings of World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education 2004 (pp. 2440-2445), Washington, DC. Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.
Sulcic, V., & Lesjak, D. (2002, October). Students’ readiness for on-line distance education in Slovenia. In G. Richards (Ed.), Proceedings of World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education 2002 (pp. 922-928), Montreal, QB, Canada. Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.
Tyler-Smith, K. (2006). Early attrition among first time elearners: A review of factors that contribute to drop-out, withdrawal and non-completion rates of adult learners undertaking elearning programmes. Journal of Online learning and Teaching, 2(2), 73-85.
Taylor, R. (2002). Pros and cons of online learning – A faculty perspective. Journal of European Industrial Training, 26(1), 24-37.
Thurmond, V. (2003, March). Examination of interaction variables as predictors of students' satisfaction and willingness to enroll in future web-based courses while controlling for student characteristics. In C. Crawford, D.A. Willis, R. Carlsen, I. Gibson, K. McFerrin, Jerry Price, et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2003 (pp. 528-531), Albuquerque, NM. Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.
Turchi, L., & Ruppert, N. (2004, March). A teaching and learning community enhanced by archaeological adventures and technological tools. In C. Crawford, D.A. Willis, R. Carlsen, I. Gibson, K. McFerrin, Jerry Price, et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2004 (pp. 3747-3749), Atlanta, GA. Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education. Webster, J., & Hack ley, P.
Weiner, C. (2003). Key ingredients to online learning: Adolescent students study in cyberspace – The nature of the study. International Journal on E-Learning, 2(3), 44-50.
Yerk-Zwickl, S. (2003, October). E-collaboration using centra symposium. In G. Richards (Ed.), Proceedings of World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education 2003 (pp. 2508-2509), Phoenix, AZ. Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.

These references have been extracted automatically and may have some errors. If you see a mistake in the references above, please contact info@editlib.org.

[1] An, H., & Kim, S. (2006, March). The benefits and limitations of online group work in a teacher education program. In C. Crawford, D.A. Willis, R. Carlsen, I. Gibson, K. McFerrin, Jerry Price, et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2006 (pp. 2465-2472), Orlando, FL. Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.

[2] Banathy, B. (1994). Designing educational systems: Creating our future in a changing world. In C.M. Reigeluth & R.J. Garfinkle (Eds.), Systematic change in education (pp. 27-34). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Educational Technology Publications.

[3] Bartolic-Zlomislic, S., & Bates, A. (1999). Investing in on-line learning: Potential benefits and limitations. Canadian Journal of Communication, 24(3), 349-366.

[4] Bartley, S. J., & Golek, J. H. (2004). Evaluating the cost effectiveness of online and face-to-face instruction. Educational Technology and Society, 7(4), 167-175.

[5] Berge, Z., & Huang, Y. (2004). A model for sustainable student retention: A holistic perspective on the student dropout problem with special attention to e-learning. DEOSNEWS, 13(5).

[6] Brandt, D.S. (1996, February). Teaching the net: Innovative techniques in internet training. Paper presented at the 11th Annual Computers in Business Conference, Washington, DC.

[7] Conlon, T. (1997). The internet is not a panacea. Scottish Educational Review, 29(1), 30-38. Curtis, D., & Lawson, M. (2001). Exploring collaborative online learning. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 5(1), 21-34.

[8] Dehler, C. (2004, March). The pedagogy and design of online teacher professional development. In In C. Crawford, D.A. Willis, R. Carlsen, I Gibson, K. McFerrin, Jerry Price, et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2004 (pp. 2107-2112), Atlanta, GA. Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.

[9] Dolence, M., & Norris, D. (1995). Transforming higher education: A vision for learning in the 21st century. Ann Arbor, MI: Society for College and University Planning.

[10] Flye, A., Gibson, G., Seemann, E., & Wilkinson, L. (2002, March). Technology as a developmental influence. In C. Crawford, D.A. Willis, R. Carlsen, I Gibson, K. McFerrin, Jerry Price, et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2002 (pp. 2511-2512), Nashville, TN. Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.

[11] Freeman, M., & Bamford, A. (2004). Student choice of anonymity for learner identity in online learning discussion forums. International Journal on E-Learning, 3(3), 45-53.

[12] Gallick, S. (1998). Technology in higher education: Opportunities and threats. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED415929)

[13] Gary, J., & Remolino, L. (2000). Coping with loss and grief through on-line support groups. In J. Bloom & G. Walz (Eds.), Cybercounseling and cyberlearning: Strategies and resources for the millennium (pp. 95-115). Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.

[14] Hannum, W., & Briggs, L. (1982). How does instructional system design differ from traditional instruction? Educational Technology, 22(1), 9-14.

[15] Hill, J.R. (1997). Distance learning environments via world wide web. In B.H. Khan (Ed.), Webbased instruction (pp. 75-80). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Educational Technology Publications. Hiraki, K., Kawahara, S., & Yonekura, T. (2004, June). Web.com: Web-browser-for-communication; aiming for web-based class. In P. Kommers & G. Richards (Eds.), Proceedings of World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications 2004 (pp. 281-286), Lugano, Switzerland. Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education. Hoyt, B., & Stockman, M. (1999, June). Multi-tiered technology interventions: The virtual business training center an online corporate university. In P. Kommers & G. Richards (Eds.), Proceedings of World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications 1999 (P. 1551), Seattle, WA. Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.

[16] Knight, J., & Bermant, B. (2002, March). Profession or vocation? The changing roles of college faculty. In C. Crawford, D.A. Willis, R. Carlsen, I. Gibson, K. McFerrin, Jerry Price, et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2002 (pp. 606-607), Nashville, TN. Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.

[17] Lu, W., Diggs, L., & Wedman, J. (2004, June). Building cross cultural partnerships through the internet: What works and what doesn'T. In P. Kommers & G. Richards (Eds.), Proceedings of World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications 2004

[18] Manner, J. (2003, March). Avoiding esolation in online education. In C. Crawford, D.A. Willis, R. Carlsen, I Gibson, K. McFerrin, Jerry Price, et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2003 (pp. 408-410), Albuquerque, NM. Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.

[19] Manner, J. (2004, November). Best practices for supporting the non-traditional student in online education. In G. Richards (Ed.), Proceedings of World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education 2004 (pp. 2395-2398), Washington, DC. Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.

[20] Marlino, M. (2002, June). Educational digital libraries: Building community; building libraries. In P. Kommers & G. Richards (Eds.), Proceedings of World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications 2002 (pp. 1223-1225), Denver, CO. Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.

[21] Murgatroyd, S. (1992). Business, education, and business education. In M. G. Moore (Ed.), Distance education for corporate and military training: Readings in distance education (No. 3, pp. 50-63). University Park, PA: Penn State University, American Center for the Study of Distance Education.

[22] Olugbenga, O.D., Rotimi, O., & Olakulehin, F.K. (2006). Attitudes and perceptions of students to open and distance learning in Nigeria. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 9(2). Reparaz, C., Naval, C., & Lara, S. (2004, June). Online managing, tutoring and evaluation of practical training project. In P. Kommers & G. Richards (Eds.), Proceedings of World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications 2004 (pp. 50735075),

[23] Restauri, S. (2004, March). Supporting instructors in the use of technology in the distance education classroom. In C. Crawford, D.A. Willis, R. Carlsen, I. Gibson, K. McFerrin, Jerry Price, et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2004 (pp. 2577-2581), Atlanta, GA. Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.

[24] Roblyer, M., & Ekhaml, L. (2001, March). A rubric for assessing the interactive qualities of distance learning courses: Results from faculty and student feedback. In C. Crawford, D.A. Willis, R. Carlsen, I. Gibson, K. McFerrin, Jerry Price, et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2001 (pp. 2925-2930), Orlando, FL. Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.

[25] Shea, P. (2006). A study of students’ sense of learning in online environments. Journal of Asynchronous Learn ing Networks, 10 (1). Retr ieved September 19, 2007, from

[26] Stick, S.L., & Ivankova, N.V. (2004). A decade of innovation and success in virtual learning: A world-wide asynchronous graduate program and educational leadership and higher education. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, VII (IV).

[27] Stevens, G., Gatling, S., & Murdock, T. (2004, November). Designing "culturally dynamic" online learning environments: Using MOODLE implementations. In G. Richards (Ed.), Proceedings of World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education 2004 (pp. 2440-2445), Washington, DC. Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.

[28] Sulcic, V., & Lesjak, D. (2002, October). Students’ readiness for on-line distance education in Slovenia. In G. Richards (Ed.), Proceedings of World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education 2002 (pp. 922-928), Montreal, QB, Canada. Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.

[29] Tyler-Smith, K. (2006). Early attrition among first time elearners: A review of factors that contribute to drop-out, withdrawal and non-completion rates of adult learners undertaking elearning programmes. Journal of Online learning and Teaching, 2(2), 73-85.

[30] Taylor, R. (2002). Pros and cons of online learning – A faculty perspective. Journal of European Industrial Training, 26(1), 24-37.

[31] Thurmond, V. (2003, March). Examination of interaction variables as predictors of students' satisfaction and willingness to enroll in future web-based courses while controlling for student characteristics. In C. Crawford, D.A. Willis, R. Carlsen, I. Gibson, K. McFerrin, Jerry Price, et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2003 (pp. 528-531), Albuquerque, NM. Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.

[32] Turchi, L., & Ruppert, N. (2004, March). A teaching and learning community enhanced by archaeological adventures and technological tools. In C. Crawford, D.A. Willis, R. Carlsen, I. Gibson, K. McFerrin, Jerry Price, et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2004 (pp. 3747-3749), Atlanta, GA. Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education. Webster, J., & Hack ley, P.

[33] Weiner, C. (2003). Key ingredients to online learning: Adolescent students study in cyberspace – The nature of the study. International Journal on E-Learning, 2(3), 44-50.

[34] Yerk-Zwickl, S. (2003, October). E-collaboration using centra symposium. In G. Richards (Ed.), Proceedings of World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education 2003 (pp. 2508-2509), Phoenix, AZ. Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.

A Review of Benefits and Limitations of Online Learning in the Context of the Student, the Instructor and the Tenured Faculty

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