Guides and climbers: development of an online resource for thesis writers and supervisors - R Lamm et al

The supervisory relationship has been identified as a key feature of the research degree process. Notwithstanding its broadly acknowledged importance, there is often little formal institutional provision to support supervisors and candidates to establish effective educational relationships. In responding to the identified needs of students and supervisors, an onine resource has been developed at Monash University, Australia. Informed by the literature on academic writing skills instruction, genre studies and disciplinary discourse, it seeks to provide students with accessible educational content to enhance and support each stage of the process. The article focuses primarily on the components of the site which relate to the issues arising from the scoping study. It outlines the development within a framework of adult learning theory, as well as social interactionist and constructivist learning models, and highlights the stages of the construction of the project, as informed by content evaluation and usability tests.
From: SAJHE 21 (8) 2007