Using ICT to enhance the online research supervision process

Abstract

Online research supervision is a relatively new and evolving process due to changes in university at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. New models of research supervision include different research supervisor and student roles and entail the constitution of online research communities regarding common goals. Even though the potential of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for shaping the supervision processes is undeniable, literature related to this issue is still scarce. This article presents a case study about the use of ICT to enhance the online research supervision process. ICT was used for content delivery and sharing, and to facilitate the interaction between postgraduate students and a supervisor, as well as between the students. Based on the supervisor’s reflections, key positive and negative factors are also systematised.