mentoring: an introduction to research and best practices
TRANSCRIPT
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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
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F2F Instructional Responsibilities
Designer Teacher Mentor
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
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D
Online Instructional Responsibilities
Designer Teacher Mentor
T M
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
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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
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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
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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
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The Mentor is a Critical Component
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Mentoring Responsibilities
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
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Mentoring Responsibilities
Guide N
“Help select courses
that are a good fit.”
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
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Mentoring Responsibilities
Coach
“[Mentors] may serve
as a coach to prepare
students for virtual
schooling” (Harms et al.,
2006)
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
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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
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Mentoring Responsibilities Friend and Motivator
“can act as problem-
solver, mentor and
friend” (Harms et al., 2006)
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
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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
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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.”
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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
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Mentoring Responsibilities
Communication Link
“provide a
communication link for
parents and
guardians” (Harms et al.,
2006)
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
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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)
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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
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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
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• Connect with your students
Best Practice: Connecting
• Establish a trusting
relationship
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• Excellent Communication: All stakeholders including online instructors, parents, guidance counselor, administration and students
• Advocate and liaison
Best Practice: Communication
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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
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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
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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: [email protected]
Julie Howe: [email protected]
Rebecca Stimson: [email protected]
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Interim Research Findings on Schools Pursuing
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