Abstract

Writing a dissertation can be a daunting task for any learner. Yet online doctoral learners often face additional challenges. In my experience as an online doctoral dissertation mentor, learners typically face five common challenges: writing, feelings of isolation, access to resources online, establishing a professional and collegial relationship with their mentor, and managing the research component. The primary responsibility of online mentors involves helping their learners navigate these challenges, while often facing challenges of their own, many unique to the online environment. My experience as an online dissertation mentor includes both the role of dissertation mentor and as chair of the dissertation committee. This relationship with the mentee begins at the dissertation stage, after successful completion of all coursework and any written exam that is required for graduation. This article will focus on how a mentor in a fully online doctoral program can help the doctoral learner navigate these five areas of challenge, and what skills the mentor must develop to be effective. Although the role of the mentor and the resources provided by the university may vary, the recommendations included here should be relevant to all online mentors.

摘要

撰写论文对任何学习者而言都是艰巨的任务。然而，在线博士生经常面临其他挑战。根据我作为在线博士论文导师的经验，学习者通常面临五个共同的挑战：写作，孤独感，在线访问资源，与导师建立专业和大学的关系以及管理研究部分。在线导师的主要职责包括帮助他们的学习者应对这些挑战，同时经常面对自己的挑战，这是在线环境中许多独特的挑战。我作为在线论文导师的经验既包括论文导师的角色，也包括论文委员会的主席。与受训者的这种关系始于论文阶段，成功完成所有课程作业和毕业所需的任何笔试后。本文将重点介绍完全在线博士课程中的导师如何帮助博士生应对这五个挑战领域，以及导师必须发展哪些技能才能有效。尽管导师的角色和大学提供的资源可能有所不同，但此处包含的建议应与所有在线导师有关。