Supervisor-Student Sessions

See the guidelines below for students and supervisors within the Extended Essay.

Supervisors & Students: Roles (at a glance)

Mandatory Reflection Sessions

The Role of the Student

Students need to ensure they understand the expectations of the task and manage their time (and workload!) effectively. Therefore, students are STRONGLY recommended to:

develop a Researcher's reflection space as a planning tool
use the Researcher's reflection space to prepare for reflection sessions with the supervisor
share excerpts from the Researcher's reflection space with supervisor during reflection sessions
choose a subject, followed by a topic, then think carefully about the RQ for the essay
plan how/when/where they'll find material and sources BEFORE deciding on the final topic and RQ
plan a schedule for both researching and writing, including extra time for delays/unforeseen problems
record sources as their research progresses using Researcher's reflection space (don't try to reconstruct a list at the end of the process!)
make the most of their supervision and reflection sessions by arriving prepared to discuss their work
have a clear structure/outline for the essay prior to writing the essay
check and proofread the EE
ensure the correct version is submitted for assessment, with all sources correctly and consistently referenced
ensure all requirements for the EE are met

DO:

Choose a subject and then topic that interests you and allows you to develop and demonstrate your understanding, creativity, and/or originality
Develop a Researcher's reflection space that will facilitate planning and preparation for reflection sessions with supervisor
Make the most of your supervisor's availability to guide you in the process
Prepare for reflection sessions appropriately
Meet all internal deadlines
Maintain a reference list as you work
Familiarize yourself with relevant policies

DO NOT:

Choose a topic or RQ that you have seen in exemplars / have been done too many times before
Overlook the importance of planning and how this can contribute to overall success
Try to construct a list of references at the end of the process--be aware of the implications of poor/inadequate referencing
Show up to sessions with supervisors unprepared or lacking progress/work to share

The Role of the Supervisor

It is the responsibility of the supervisor to ensure that students are familiar with the requirements of the Extended Essay. Supervisors and students should discuss:

the nature of the Extended Essay
their chosen subject, topic, RQ (research question)
the most appropriate research methods to be used given the subject for which the student is submitting their essay
the formal requirements for the completion of this task

Students are encouraged to initiate discussion to obtain advice and information; the supervisor should clarify their role so that there is a shared understanding of expectations and responsibilities within this relationship.

The following should be reported to the Extended Essay Coordinator immediately and noted on the "Reflections on planning and progress form" completed by supervisors:

if a student could not have completed the work without substantial support from the supervisor
if a student has received substantial help from the supervisor (or another teacher) but has not declared this
if academic misconduct is suspected

Supervisors are REQUIRED to:

participate in 3 mandatory reflection sessions per student supervised
initial, date each reflection summarized on the "Reflections on..." form (RPPF), providing commentary on process
submission of the completed RPPF in the appropriate format and location
provide students with advice and guidance in the skill of research
encourage/support students throughout the research and writing of the EE
discuss topic selection with each student; help formulate a well-focused RQ (suitable to the subject of registration and ensure that RQ satisfies appropriate legal, ethical standards in regards to healthy/safety, confidentiality, human rights, animal welfare, and environmental issues)
be familiar with regulations governing Extended Essay to offer guidance/ensure essay is student's own work
read and comment on ONE draft (do not EDIT the draft) after the interim #1 meeting but before the viva voce (mandatory meeting #3)
ensure the final version of the essay is handed in before meeting #3, the viva voce, takes place (so that no changes are made to it subsequently)
read the final version and, in conjunction with viva voce, confirm its authenticity

The student may work with, or consult, external experts, but it remains the responsibility of the supervisor within the school to complete all the requirements described above.

Supervisors are STRONGLY recommended to:

read the recent extended essay reports for their subject area
spend between 3-5 hours with each student (this includes the 3 mandatory meetings)
encourage students to use the Researcher's reflection space
set and maintain a clear schedule for meetings
ensure that the chosen research question is appropriate for the subject
advise students on accessing resources, research methods, citing/referencing research

DO:

Feel prepared to be a supervisor (be fully familiar with both the assessment requirements for your subject area, as well as the generic requirements of the EE)
Help students arrive at a focused RQ which is feasible within the scope of the task, time available, and student's ability
Emphasize the importance of the reflection/meeting sessions as supported by a detailed Researcher's reflection space
Ensure students are given copies of relevant publications available on the resource center (i.e., exemplars, subject reports, policies)
Monitor student progress; encourage the development of research and writing skills
Comment fully on one draft of the EE (within permitted parameters)
Ensure adequate availability to students for check-in and reflection sessions

DO NOT:

Overlook, ignore your role
Give role insufficient time
Use meetings to address key skills like research methodology and referencing
- speak to Extended Essay coordinator about effective cohort-wide provision for these issues