1 Berlin Educa Online Thesis tutoring in Blended Learning Environment Pertti Vilpas/ Metropolia Business School What is tutoring? Tutoring can be defined as an interactive relationship which aim is to support student’s professional and personal development. Open dialog is essential in tutoring, meaning close and developing relationship between a student and a tutor. Open dialog involves also constructive and creative action, where discussion between the student and the tutor maintain also connection to reality. Thesis tutoring can be defined as regular discussion between the student and the tutor concerning thesis process and progression. Thesis tutoring involves several fields: contextual tutoring methodical tutoring Abstract and research text correction process ICT tools support (web surveys, SPSS, SAS, Excel, Word, Pdf)

2 Why tutoring? Effective tutoring helps students to complete and engage their studies within studentships. Problems of introduction the thesis and working on might lengthen the studentship outstandingly. Through effective tutoring both tutors and students control the thesis processes effectively and well orientated. Effective Tutoring The student need to be committed to the process and have a good motivation to work with the tutor. Depending on a degree programme in Metropolia, there are several participants in the process: a student, an opponent (student), a tutor (lecturer) and a representative of working life (company initiated thesis). Open interaction and dialog between the participants are essential to the process. Tutoring rules When the tutoring rules are clearly agreed, the tutor and the student have a common understanding what are the aims and goals for the thesis. The rules also contribute the thesis to be completed in time

3 Thesis Tutoring in Metropolia Business School: Use of Intranet portal ”Tube” Tube workspace enables easy access to Tutoring material Instructions Schedules, rules Different forms Assessment rules Students can access the workspace when ever needed using their personal account There are several lecturers who may update the workspace material. The latest version is always on the web. But the workspace doesn’t provide interaction possibilities between students and tutors.

4 Thesis Tutoring in Metropolia Business School: Electronical Thesis Form The student creates his own form on the web site and uploads and updates data on the form The thesis process is time scaled on the form Theme of the thesis and research plan is presented by the student Contextual tutoring is verified by the comments of the tutor Methodical tutoring is verified by the comments of the methodical tutor Abstract and research text correction process is verified by the comments of the text tutor ITC tools support is verified by the comments of the ICT tutor Each stage of the process is controlled and registrated by the tutor No paper forms needed Some ICT – support is needed to edit and update the structure of the e-form

5 Thesis Tutoring in Metropolia Business School: Master degree progamme and the use of Moodle Moodle workspace Includes tutoring material, instructions, schedules, rules Includes different forms, assessment rules, company initiated materials There are several lecturers who may update the workspace material. The latest version is always on the web. Interaction between students, opponents and tutors on forums Each student has his own forum, where he uploads the latest versions of his thesis plans, findings and records The tutor and the opponent can access the material online and give comments, evaluation and support on the forum independent of time and place All online discussion are verified on the Moodle and can be explored and assessed later

6 Thesis Tutoring in Metropolia Health Care and Social Services: Video conferencing Thesis seminars are organized on the web in real time using video conferencing. Webli or Connect Pro environments are used for the meetings Before the seminar students send their thesis material (ppt-format) to the tutor and he uploads them on the environment During the seminar session each student presents and shares his work and findings with others. Participants can edit also shared material and give comments in real time and online. Students can participate the seminar from their home pc:s and video conferencing allows place free attending. Interactive environment provides good contact within the seminar group and participants may share ideas, comments and support with each other Presence in online seminar supports effective tutoring and achieves well orientated thesis process.

7 Thesis Tutoring in Metropolia Culture Management: Wiki - Spaces Wiki – thesis space Includes instructions, tips and examples of thesis pages Questions and answers, FAQ, schedules, forms Several lecturers may update the wiki space. The history of the space is verified easily and older version can be restored. The student create his own wiki – page Each student has his own page, where he uploads thesis material, findings and records He decides who can see, comment or edit his page. At least the tutor and the opponent can see and comment the material. Enables account free publications and commentary on the web The process is easy to follow, documents are saved as different versions and older versions and changes are highlighted Possibility to comment online, evaluation and support on the wiki page are independent of time and place Possibility to link the wiki page easily to other web sites

8 Further Development in Thesis Tutoring in Metropolia Pod casting – an audio file in compressed digital format (MP3) Advantages: size of the file is small compared to the video Easy to listen using MP3 – devices May be published on the intranet or on the web site, can be sent by etc. Disadvantages: No picture or video to see the speaker Audacity Free share software to create MP3-files Potential in thesis tutoring The tutor can give his comments using pod casting and the student is free to listen comments place, time and pc –free

9 Further Development in Thesis Tutoring in Metropolia: Second Life Second Life Virtual world Avatar Meetings Interaction, dialog Resources