Remote Supervision Models and Their Impact on Thesis Writing

Picture this: a student sitting across a desk from the professor with a tower of books and papers. This is the very traditional image of academic research.

This one-on-one interaction between student and teacher was the ideal thesis supervision.

But since COVID-19, many universities have had to go online. And this is when remote supervision becomes an important part of higher education.

It enables thesis students and supervisors to communicate through video calls and emails. This shift has also introduced different changes in academia.

In this blog, I will tell you about different models of remote supervision and the extent to which they affect the thesis writing process.

What is Remote Supervision?

Remote supervision means monitoring and overseeing students’ projects or research from a remote location. This may be achieved by:

• Video calls
• Voice calls
• Zoom meetings
• Shared document
• Messaging apps

Remote supervision is therefore appropriate amongst the students in remote areas or where there are travel bans. Studies show that remote supervision was helpful for PhD students to continue without delays during COVID-19.

Common Models of Remote Supervision

Remote supervision is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Therefore, it falls into three categories. Each of them affects the writing process differently.

1. The Synchronous Model (Video Conferencing)

This is the closest substitute to the conventional meetings. You can use different platforms. Like Zoom, Skype, Teams, and others.

Also, this model preserves the nuance of conversation and allows for immediate clarification.

• Impact on writing: The above platforms possess the share screen feature. So it allows live editing sessions. In addition, this was incredibly beneficial for me when I was working on my thesis. However, it suffers from Zoom fatigue.

This implies that long meetings in which intricate thesis chapters are discussed may not be as fruitful as short meetings.

2. The Asynchronous Model (Shared Document and Emails)

This model follows the documentation-first culture. It is greatly dependent on tools like Google Docs, Word, and others.

Moreover, no live feedback is provided. It is recorded for students to read and process later.

• Impact on writing: Let’s be honest. This is the double-edged sword. On the one hand, written feedback is permanent. It is going to be there. Students can re-read a comment months later, too. On the downside, there is a lack of dialogue. And this can often lead to misinterpretation. For example, a comment like ‘this section is weak’ can cause unnecessary anxiety. Whereas in person, the tone would clarify the intent.

3. Hybrid Model

This is a combination of remote work with occasional on-campus incentives. And this is very helpful for PhD students who work part-time or have family commitments.

Also, balancing academia for PhD students is tough. So they occasionally seek a thesis writing service to understand structural standards.

• Impact on writing: This offers the best of both models. It provides flexibility while also maintaining the accountability of face-to-face interaction.

Impact of Remote Supervision on Thesis Writing: What Changes and What Remains the Same?

We have discussed the difference in how students and professors interact using remote supervision models.

However, it also affects the thesis writing process itself. Here is how:

• Increased Independence: Students develop stronger self-management skills without the physical presence of the supervisor.
• Communication Challenges: Delayed replies or misinterpreted emails can stall progress. And also, it is easier to lose momentum without casual reminders. Hence, supervisors need to be proactive in maintaining contact, and students must also feel comfortable reaching out.
• Access to Resources: Many invaluable online tools help in thesis. For example, many pupils use Google Docs to get real-time feedback to speed up their writing process.
• Emotional Support and Motivation: Social isolation is a real challenge. In remote supervision, there is a high risk of burnout due to no physical interaction.

Evidence with Studies

Research backs remote supervision’s viability with facts.

• A systematic review of remote models of rural psychologists found such advantages as decreased isolation and improved retention, but samples were small (examples: 26 interviewees).
• Inman et al. (2019) reviewed 35 articles (1990-2016): Remote video supervision was as effective as in-person supervision in terms of alliances and task focus.
• Belgian PhD survey during COVID-19: Lockdown reduces the frequency of supervision, but has no impact on supportive styles.
• Hong Kong study (50 PhD students): Leadership and friendly styles accelerated the time taken in the thesis; uncertain ones slowed down.

Real World Impact on Theses

The remote models transform thesis journeys both positively and negatively.

• Positive: Shorter iterations of the chapter; in one study, remote feedback enhanced clinical reasoning. It could be applied to thesis analysis. The satisfaction increases with cooperative supervisors, and it also enables them to concentrate.
• Negative: Stress is magnified in online settings with no body language to lessen tones because of strict styles. A lack of certainty results in stagnant points in writing.

Future Outlook

Remote supervision will be used in combination with face-to-face to maximise the benefits of improved tools. Also, Universities ought to educate on tech and matching.

There will be an influx of hybrids after 2025. And AI can help with drafts. Also, equity in low-connectivity areas has to be mentioned in policies.

Final Words

Indeed, remote supervision models have altered the process of thesis writing. It offers flexibility and opens doors to students, no matter where they are situated.

But they also demand a higher level of self-discipline and strong communication skills.

The remote models are not inherently better or worse. It is simply different. Also, the focus must not onlybe on the tech but also to maintain the human connection that lies at the heart of academic inquiry.