Student and Supervisor Perspectives in a Computer-mediated Research Relationship

This paper presents the reflective perspectives of the student and supervisor in a successful computer-mediated research relationship. Key contributing factors are discussed in a dialogue format covering the role of computermediated communication (CMC), the projection of social presence, student self-efficacy beliefs, the role of information and communication technology (ICT), and interaction in online professional networks. Drawing on relevant theory, inherent challenges are addressed, informing some concluding suggestions as to how supervision might become more responsive to the emergent forms of research learning being experienced by escalating numbers of postgraduate students studying at a distance via ICT.