Implementing Technology-based Tools for Successful Supervision of Students at AU FOOD

Author: Mohamed Fathi Abdallah

Created: 2025-12-04 09:42pm

Edited: 2025-12-04 11:11pm

Keywords: Supervision, Microsoft Teams, Feedback, Food Science (AU FOOD), Online Tools

Description:

This learning design aims to improve the supervision process for BA, MSc, and PhD students at Department of Food Science, Aarhus University (AU FOOD) through structured use of online tools, such as Microsoft Teams and complementary online tools (Planner, OneNote, SharePoint, Forms/Surveys, and integrated video/audio feedback). The learning design also outlines a strategy for writing a scientific manuscript (research or review paper) to be published in a scientific journal as well as the thesis needed for graduation. This LDT follows the stream model, leaving room for extensive dialogue between the supervisors and the students at AU FOOD.

Intended Learning Outcomes:

  • Ehance their skills in project managment.
  • Prepare and present problems and topics from the thesis topic using relevant online tools
  • Dialogic questioning elevates thinking: Making the Questioning Wheel explicit fosters analysis, not answer seeking.
  • Enhance the scientific writing for BA, MSc and PhD students (for scientific papers and thesis) without wasting times in correcting many drafts.
Resources Tasks Supports

Onboarding stage

Research papers and Supervision letter (for PhD)

Preparation for an initial discussion

AU supervisors
(main and co-supervisors)

Microsoft Teams

Set up an initial discussion via Microsoft Teams

AU supervisors

Supervision stage (lab work)

Laboratory training, Lab protocols and consumables

Perform and (re-)design experiments based on results

AU supervisors

Data processing and statistical software (e.g. GraphPad, OriginPro, and Microsoft Office)

Student process and analyze the data, and prepare PowerPoint presentations

No Support

Supervision stage (project managment and writing)

Microsoft Teams

Students familiarize themselves with MS Teams and get assigned to team or channel with controlled access

AU supervisors

Microsoft Teams

Students presents the results of a first part of experiments (working package) and upload them to their MS Teams team/channels

AU supervisors

Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Office

Students develop protocols (Msc and PhD) and upload them to their MS Teams team/channels

No Support

Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Office

Students prepares a first draft of the manuscript/thesis

AU supervisors

Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Office

Students get feedback from supervisor

AU supervisors

Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Office

Student finalizes writing and submit manuscript to journal/thesis

AU supervisors

Additional information

The uploaded written materials (manuscript and thesis etc) will rely on MS Word or Excel with track changes to provide comments and corrections. This works fine with students if combined with meetings where the experimental work and written product (manuscript or thesis) is discussed in person.