Abstract

PAEZ, Haydée Guillermina. Directing on-line research?. Investigación y Postgrado [online]. 2006, vol.21, n.1, pp.99-124. ISSN 1316-0087.

The purpose of this paper was to determine how effective is the use of asynchronic communication when directing graduate research using the platform nicenet.org in the Faculty of Educational Sciences at the University of Carabobo. The study was designed as a longitudinal exploratory field investigation based on the direct observations of five students working towards their degree. The environment was created using the Internet Classroom Assistant (ICA) and the student’s performance was assessed with both direct and asynchronic methods including non-structured interviews. The results pointed to a scarce on-line involvement and a rational preference for face-to-face guiding. However, the fact that two subjects used the platform as an educational medium in regular courses is evidence of the need for more research implementing graduate on-line guiding.

Keywords : TIC in education; curricula innovation; on-line tutoring; asynchronic communication; research directing.