Journal of Educational Research and Studies Vol. 3 (3), pp. 41-50, May, 2015 https:www.peakjournals.org/sub-journals-JERS.html ISSN: 2329-3039 ©2015 Peak Journals Full Length Research Paper An evaluation of the instructional performance between teachers trained by traditional and distance learning model: Implications for teacher education Amina, Jangu Alhassan Accepted 26 April, 2015 The goal of this study is to evaluate the instructional performance between teachers who completed their training in traditional and distance learning model in three districts of the Upper West Region of Ghana. A research into the issue is significant because it has relevance to the development of pre-teacher training in education. Ghanaians are used to the traditional school system but the new challenges facing schools has made it necessary for schools to embrace distance education. However, there are also concerns about the quality of distance learning programs. The research question set to guide the study asked the question, whether there are differences in the instructional performance of teachers who completed their training in traditional learning model and in distance learning model. A descriptive survey method was used for the analysis. A questionnaire drawn on a five Likert scale measurement was used to collect data for the study. The study reveals differences in the instructional performance of the two set of teachers. However, the difference in performance was marginal but significant. The study acknowledged that, individual returns depend on their attitudes towards the teaching profession. Thus a measurement of real performance of teachers can be challenging but achievable. Key words: Instruction, distance education, traditional education, learning, objectives, performance, teachers. INTRODUCTION Many people are subscribing to distance education every year (Thirunarayanan, 2010). There are a number of good reasons why people are falling in for distance learning. According to Hannay and Newvine (2006), there are a number of reasons why students will choose distance learning over traditional education. Students will choose distance learning because it allows them to balance their studies with other social commitments. In addition, they also believe they achieve higher quality education in distance learning, than with traditional educational system (Hannay and Newvine, 2006). While some students think distance learning is right for them, the schools providing distance learning programs are also benefiting from the service because they can offer education at a lesser expense. The schools may not have to bother about large numbers of adult learners and part time students because they will study in the comfort of their homes. The discussion is still ongoing about the excellence of distance learning courses, as compared to traditional education. Among the debates, comparative studies between distance and traditional methods of education dominate (Diaz, 2000). According to Diaz (2000), the fundamental research question that most researchers often asks when conducting comparative research in the two areas is whether distance education is as good as traditional education. The fundamental question is derived from the perception that, traditional schooling is better than the distance learning model (Diaz, 2000). In the midst of the challenges facing educational institutions, the institutions think the alternate way to provide education to the people is by allowing students to study the same curriculum in the comfort of their home (Schaffhauser, 2012). This claim is supported by Kyalo University of Cape Coast, College of Distance Education: Wa Regional Office Upper West Region Box 475 Ghana. E-mail amiijangu@yahoo.com, Tel.: 233244701591/233202820839.