Abstract:

Although third-grade studies in experimental sciences are generally associated with a face-to-face modality, currently the educational system offers several ways to carry them out at distance. The concept of "University without walls", which provides an alternative university training plan abandoning the traditional campus, is at its peak thanks to a society that is increasingly looking for autonomous development in time and space. University Traditional Educational plans, as well as studies with international joint supervision, where the Doctoral thesis means long term projects or short terms stays abroad, require a permanent communication with the tutor or supervisor. Keeping a permanent feedback between the goals and activities performed by the student and director can result in a difficult issue when talking about those projects and their development in an effective way.

The target of this research is centered in giving to PhD students different online management tools in terms of:
i) the type of project (in case they are preparing the Doctoral thesis sharing time with the supervisor/director, students who make short terms stays abroad or students with international joint supervision); and
ii) requirements variation depending on the state of the project they are working in. It also aims to embed a correct selection of virtual tools, that allows students to acquire a hierarchical learning process while keeping permanent communication with the supervisor/director.

Results aim to a better communication system between students and directors, which is empowered alongside the efficient use of these tools, improving the learning process of students in the third cycle program.

Keywords:

PhD (Third Cycle Program), online management tools, tutorial fostering, experimental science.