mentoring: an introduction to research and best practices

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Mentoring:An Introduction to

Research andBest Practices

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

A Division of MVU

Presenters

Dr. Jered BorupGeorge Mason University

Julie HoweThree Rivers High School

Rebecca StimsonMichigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

A Division of MVU

Who is the player with the ball? Why is he wearing the number 80?

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

A Division of MVU

Why do online students drop out?

de la Varre et al. (2014) identified 5 reasons:

1. Scheduling and time constraints

2. Academic rigor and motivation

3. Technology problems

4. Lack of teacher immediacy

5. Parental influences

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

A Division of MVU

On-site mentors have the potential to lower attrition rates and increase

student achievement.

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

A Division of MVU

F2F Instructional Responsibilities

Designer Teacher Mentor

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

A Division of MVU

D

Online Instructional Responsibilities

Designer Teacher Mentor

T M

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

A Division of MVU

T M

Online Team Roster

Teacher Mentor

S

Student

P

Parent

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

A Division of MVU

T M

Full Team Roster

Teacher Mentor

S

Student

P

Parent

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

A Division of MVU

T M

Full Team Roster

Teacher Mentor

S

Student

P

Parent

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

A Division of MVU

T M

Full Team Roster

Teacher Mentor

S

Student

P

Parent

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

A Division of MVU

T M

Full Team Roster

Teacher Mentor

S

Student

P

Parent

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

A Division of MVU

The Student’s Perspective Students should recognize that they have1. online support

from their course teacher,

2. at-school support from their mentor, and

3. at-home support from their parent/guardian.

Online

At

School

At

Home

T

Face-to-face

Virtual

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

A Division of MVU

School A School B

School C School D

The Online Teacher’s Perspective

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

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T

Face-to-face

Virtual

The Parent’s Perspective

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

A Division of MVU

Face-to-face

Virtual

The Mentor’s Perspective

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

A Division of MVU

Face-to-face

Virtual

The Mentor’s Perspective

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

A Division of MVU

The Mentor is a Critical Component

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

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Mentoring Responsibilities

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

A Division of MVU

Mentoring Responsibilities

Guide N

“Help select courses

that are a good fit.”

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

A Division of MVU

Mentoring Responsibilities

Coach

“[Mentors] may serve

as a coach to prepare

students for virtual

schooling” (Harms et al.,

2006)

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

A Division of MVU

Mentoring Responsibilities

Coach

“assist students on a

daily basis on items

such as study skills,

social issues,

attendance, and

school events” (Wicks,

2010)

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

A Division of MVU

Mentoring Responsibilities Friend and Motivator

“can act as problem-

solver, mentor and

friend” (Harms et al., 2006)

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

A Division of MVU

Mentoring Responsibilities Friend and Motivator

“The key is having a

relationship with the

students. The students

have to trust you and

like you.”

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

A Division of MVU

Mentoring Responsibilities Friend and Motivator

“Being sympathetic

and encouraging –

especially with those

students who are not

doing well. Bringing

the human aspect into

the online world.”

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

A Division of MVU

Mentoring Responsibilities Track student progress

“Closely monitor

students and course

content, and ensure

students are engaged

in activities that

promote their

academic progress.”

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

A Division of MVU

Mentoring Responsibilities

Communication Link

“provide a

communication link for

parents and

guardians” (Harms et al.,

2006)

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

A Division of MVU

Mentoring Responsibilities

Manage Classroom Behavior

“An adult facilitator

who is responsible for

insuring that

everything is working

smoothly and order is

maintained” (Hannum et al.,

2008)

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

A Division of MVU

Do mentors impact student

performance?

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

A Division of MVU

Do mentors impact student

performance?

Students who have an assigned class

period to work were nearly 2x as likely

to pass their course than those who

didn’t have an assigned class period. (Roblyer et al., 2008)

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

A Division of MVU

Do mentors impact student

performance?

Mentors can have an especially high

impact on at-risk students with low

parental involvement. (Colorado Online

Learning, 2012; Ferdig, 2010; Pettyjohn, 2012; Wicks,

2012)

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

A Division of MVU

Do mentors impact student

performance?

Students who have a trained mentor do

better than students who have an

untrained mentor. (Hannum et al., 2008; Staker,

2011)

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

A Division of MVU

Do mentors impact student

performance?

“Facilitators are made, not born.”(Roblyer,

2006)

• 14 Mentors

• 10 Schools

• Various Structures

Mentor Case Studies:Online Learner Support Models

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

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Michigan Mentor Model DemographicsGeographic

Location of

School

# of

Students

# of Mentors

Interviewed

Mentor

Gender

Years

Mentoring

Average

Number of

Mentored

Students

Suburban 1100 2Female

Female

5

1400

Urban 700 1 Female 1 140

Small Town 650 1 Male 2 100

Midsize Town 800 3

Female

Female

Male

6

2

2

400

Urban 700 1 Female 8 53

Suburban 900 1 Female 7 80

Small town 800 1 Male 6 300

Rural 470 2Female

Male

1

155

Rural 1000 1 Male 2 70

Suburban 960 1 Male 12 50

Interview Protocol

• Contact• Questions

Who What How & When

• Suggestions

End Products• Profiles• A mentor orientation

module• Mentor Fundamentals:

A Guide for Mentoring Online Learners

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

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Best Practice

• Connecting with students

• Communication with all interested parties

• Personalized support

• Mentor Training

• Ideal Mentor

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

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• Connect with your students

Best Practice: Connecting

• Establish a trusting

relationship

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

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• Excellent Communication: All stakeholders including online instructors, parents, guidance counselor, administration and students

• Advocate and liaison

Best Practice: Communication

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

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• Multi-Tiered Systems of Support• Collaboration with mentors,

counselors and administration• Weekly mentor meetings

in PLCs, Professional Learning Communities

Best Practice: Personalized Support

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

A Division of MVU

Best Practice: Mentor Training

• Classroom environment and management• Organizational skills, data collection and

maintaining accurate records• Technology skills and resources• Confidentiality (FERPA) and security• Ensuring academic integrity/LanSchool• Communication: Expectations, course

policies, school policies, and pacing

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

A Division of MVU

Best Practice: Ideal Mentor

• Classroom experience at grade level• Classroom management skills• Excellent communication skills• Personal experience with online learning• Strong technology skills• Bachelor’s Degree preferred

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

A Division of MVU

• Mentor Fundamentals: A Guide for Mentoring Online Learners (https://micourses.org/resources/pdf/toolkit/mentor_guide_14.pdf)

• Mentor Orientation Module (coming soon)

• Parent Guide to Online Learning(http://media.mivu.org/institute/pdf/parentguide.pdf)

Mentor Resources

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

A Division of MVU

• 21f Tool Kit resources https://micourses.org/resources/21f_Tool_Kit.html)

• http://learntech.gmu.edu/

• http://www.mrshowesclass.com/

Mentor Resources

Questions

or

Comments

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

A Division of MVU

Contact

Dr. Jered Borup: jborup@gmu.edu

Julie Howe: jhowe@trschools.org

Rebecca Stimson: rstimson@mivu.org

Upcoming Webinar:

Date & Time:

Thursday, 1/15, 2pm Eastern Time

Topic:

Interim Research Findings on Schools Pursuing

Personalized Learning

Presenters:

John Pane, RAND Education

Email: MVLRI@mivu.org

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