Tutor’s function in an online learning environment: the experience of Psychology and Psychopedagogy degree in the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya.

Abstract

To guide and accompany the students throughout their academic career in making educational decisions of their itinerary, their area of expertise, or how to study and collaborate with their peers is an essential challenge in a virtual learning environment. In this sense, this work presents the tutorial model at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), especially how it is organised at the Psychology and Psychopedagogy degrees. Tutorial action at UOC is conceived as a mentor role which provides constant personalised support and guide to the student all along his/her academic life in the University. The tutorial action needs to be adapted to the student’s progress. The present work describes the main tutorial actions as well as the available resources for the tutor. One the most important agents implied in coordinating the tutorial action is what we call the tutorial working group. It designs, unfolds and constantly reviews the tutorial plans in each degree. These plans structure and facilitate the guiding role of the tutor by specifying which are the objectives, the actions and the tools to use in each tutorial phase. Finally, the main instruments to guarantee a quality tutorial action are described.