Where a student would normally go to the university campus to meet with their supervisor, instead Dr Rickards hosts these meetings over Skype, allowing students such as Patricia to complete a PhD at Curtin from another country \u2013 all they need is an internet connection.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can work as though we are in a face-to-face meeting,\u201d Dr Rickards says, listing a few advantages: \u201cThe way we develop the thesis, share resources and collaborate during the writing process, is easier and quicker when done online than face-to-face.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFor example, when we create a research paper draft, we both log in to the same text document and, over a live video link, we discuss and both<\/em> edit the same document in real time,\u201d says Dr Rickards. \u201cIt\u2019s an improvement on the old paradigm where the student sends a draft document via email and then has to wait for a reply. Online, my feedback to the student is instant and<\/em> explained, and via video, the student can respond with any questions immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n This style of education is highly interactive, comprehensive and, with the flexibility of being able \u2018meet-up\u2019 from any combination of devices\u00a0\u2013 phone, tablet, laptop, desktop device \u2013 it\u2019s also highly personalised.<\/p>\n \u201cI felt as if I was the only student my supervisor was working with although I know this is not the case,\u201d reflects Patricia Churchill. \u201cThe level of contact I was able to maintain with my supervisor was superior to working at a local campus. In fact, I would say it was much more efficient than having to make appointments and physically attend meetings.\u201d<\/p>\n Patricia\u2019s PhD journey began when she decided to take some time out from her teaching career to explore some of her own ideas.<\/p>\n \u201cI made enquiries locally but felt put off by the lack of enthusiasm,\u201d she says. Having successfully completed a Curtin master degree by distance education while working overseas, she decided to ask Curtin.<\/p>\n \u201cThe support I received when I initially broached the idea of doing a Doctorate with Dr Rickards\u00a0encouraged me to begin my PhD journey,\u201d Patricia says. \u201cThe whole learning experience was a rich and productive one. The graduation ceremony and finally getting to physically meet with my supervisor at the end were the highlights.\u201d<\/p>\n She hopes her thesis, which investigates the environment in which international students are learning mathematics, will make a difference to the future as well as help her clarify her teaching.<\/p>\n Patricia is just one success story, and Dr Rickards has many others to add to it. With the help of information and communications technology (ICT), he is currently supervising 25 doctoral and master students \u2013 two of whom have taken a special interest in ICT and its potential in the education sector.<\/p>\n Recent graduate, Dr Aaron Steele, and current PhD student, Jana Benson, have both been investigating (separately) how cloud-based technology can be used for student learning and assessment, from their New Zealand homes.<\/p>\n
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