Thesis supervision in face to Thesis supervision in face to face model and distance face model and distance

instruction model instruction model --- A comparative perspective--- A comparative perspective

By Gui YingBy Gui YingShanghai University of Shanghai University of Finance and EconomicsFinance and Economics

Thesis Supervision in distance Thesis Supervision in distance instruction modelinstruction model• Thesis supervision in distance education Thesis supervision in distance education

has a very promising future because of its has a very promising future because of its flexibility and convenience. It saves flexibility and convenience. It saves students’ time, energy and money. students’ time, energy and money.

• Due to the lack of face-to-face Due to the lack of face-to-face communication, it is easy for students to communication, it is easy for students to get confused or lost in the cyberspace. get confused or lost in the cyberspace. Instruction of thesis writing is especially Instruction of thesis writing is especially difficult in distance education due to the difficult in distance education due to the physical separation of the teachers and physical separation of the teachers and students.students.• Writing is the most challenging in all theWriting is the most challenging in all the

teaching activities of English.teaching activities of English.

Different instruction models Different instruction models demonstrate different demonstrate different philosophiesphilosophies• Campus instruction ---teacher Campus instruction ---teacher

dominating , care taking , parent likedominating , care taking , parent like• Distance instruction- “whole person” Distance instruction- “whole person”

education. Independent. Students education. Independent. Students take initiative. take initiative.

The supply of resources and The supply of resources and reference materials reference materials • Campus thesis instruction –hardcopyCampus thesis instruction –hardcopy• Distance thesis instruction- e-version on Distance thesis instruction- e-version on the platform, easy to add and update:the platform, easy to add and update:E.g.: thesis writing manual,E.g.: thesis writing manual,VOC and VOB lectures,etc.VOC and VOB lectures,etc.

The difference in interaction The difference in interaction stylestyle• Interaction in campus thesis instruction :Interaction in campus thesis instruction : Face to face , telephone, email, text messageFace to face , telephone, email, text message

• Interaction in distance instruction :Interaction in distance instruction :Telephone, email, text message, MSN. Platform. Telephone, email, text message, MSN. Platform.

Thesis evaluation and quality Thesis evaluation and quality controlcontrol• Campus instruction: the tutor gives a tentative Campus instruction: the tutor gives a tentative

grade , then the defense committee grade , then the defense committee reevaluates the thesis based on the student’s reevaluates the thesis based on the student’s oral defense performance and a final grade is oral defense performance and a final grade is given.given.

• Distance instruction: the tutor gives a Distance instruction: the tutor gives a tentative grade, the reevaluation group tentative grade, the reevaluation group reexamines the paper and gives a grade. And reexamines the paper and gives a grade. And the student gets a grade for his performance the student gets a grade for his performance in oral defense. The lower of the two grades in oral defense. The lower of the two grades will be the final result of the student’ s thesis. will be the final result of the student’ s thesis.

Discussion and findingsDiscussion and findings• The comparison of these two models The comparison of these two models

of thesis supervision is not meant to of thesis supervision is not meant to belittle either of them. We try to find belittle either of them. We try to find the advantages and disadvantages of the advantages and disadvantages of each in order to make up their each in order to make up their deficiencies. deficiencies.

Discussion and findingsDiscussion and findings• In campus thesis supervision, we should learn from diIn campus thesis supervision, we should learn from distance education and encourage the students to be mstance education and encourage the students to be more independent. ore independent. • In providing resources and reference materials for theIn providing resources and reference materials for thesis writing , we should learn from Beiwai Online to masis writing , we should learn from Beiwai Online to make the reference materials into e-version and upload tke the reference materials into e-version and upload them on the internet.hem on the internet.• For thesis supervision in distance model, the tutor shFor thesis supervision in distance model, the tutor should provide more face to face communication opporould provide more face to face communication opportunities to the students in order to establish a close ratunities to the students in order to establish a close rapport with the students like on campus. pport with the students like on campus.

ConclusionConclusion• We should understand the special We should understand the special

features of each instruction model and features of each instruction model and explore better means and measures in explore better means and measures in instructing students' writing in either instructing students' writing in either context. It is our mission to effectively context. It is our mission to effectively supervise thesis writing both in supervise thesis writing both in traditional face to face education and traditional face to face education and modern distance education. modern distance education.

Thank you !Thank you !