Abstract: Distance learning (DL) is a popular option in higher education. Information technology (IT) has made education more available for students without regard to location or time. Universities are now offering online degrees at all levels. This study presents an empirical investigation designed to identify some advantages and disadvantages of distance learning. Ninety students from seven different courses at two various universities took part in this investigation. The study supports that online teaching could be more than 35% of the total credit hours in a graduate program. Also, the study supports that online teaching has gone too far. The study suggested four hypotheses which were tested using a series of t-test. The author hopes that this paper provides valuable insights into application of distance learning and educational design as an important part of an academic’s routine activities.

Keywords: Disadvantages, Distance learning, Information Technology, Management in education, online education

Download this article: ISEDJ - V9 N1 Page 41.pdf

Recommended Citation: Sagheb-Tehrani, M. (2011). Distance learning: An empirical study. Information Systems Education Journal, 9(1) pp 41-52. http://isedj.org/2011-9/ ISSN: 1545-679X. (A preliminary version appears in The Proceedings of ISECON 2010)