subject: Postgraduate Learning: The Significance of Supervision [print this page] Postgraduate Learning: The Significance of Supervision
One of the most significant of components of postgraduate education, often overlooked by students, is supervision. Supervision is a process requiring a lot of efforts from students and even supervisors. Accordingly, there are many aspects involved in such process that should be accepted by learners so as the supervision process ends successfully. This article explains the features of the supervision process in postgraduate studies and the factors of successful supervision.
Overview
The supervision of learners conducting postgraduate studies can be defined as the guidance given by the academic allocated to the learner, in all of aspects of the research process. In many cases, supervision can be seen as a private relationship, that nevertheless, does not devalue the importance of supervision to the good results of students' research process. A few important elements of supervision that should be recognized by college students are based on effective communications and also planning work. Another component that could be included is based on empathy, a significant component in making the relationship between the student and the supervisor successful.
Part-Time Learners
The significance of supervision in postgraduate studies can be specifically defined for part-time college students. The attribute of part-time students can be seen via such common characteristics as having a family, a full-time employment, being older that other students, as well as the attendance component. In that way, it can be said that for part-time college students, the relationship with the supervisor is very important. Having needs that differ from full-time college students, part-time learners should acknowledge the elements of effective supervision that can be enhanced, including on time feedback, setting up an early schedule for supervision, as well as starting contact with the supervisor as fast as possible. Thus, it can be said that supervision is an aspect that should not be underestimated by learners conducting postgraduate learning.
