Training with a Mentor/Mentee Relationship Model

Training a new instructional designer or instructional design in general is a worthy, yet time-consuming endeavor. Looking at concepts such as effectiveness, expediency, and comprehensiveness, we created a mentor/mentee relationship modeled training course for new instructional designers that includes active learning of these key curriculum design concepts and mentorship by seasoned designers. Our training course, located in Blackboard, features a sample course for the trainee to redesign as he/she progresses through the active learning activities found within the course. The implementation of this instructional designer training course enabled us to reduce training time from six months to four weeks, allowing new team members to take on design projects at a much quicker rate. In addition, the trainee was able to retain and comprehend the implementation of his/her job responsibilities using the mentor/mentee relationship model. In this session, not only will we showcase our training course, but participants will experience several of its active learning exercises, enabling them to try these fun and educational activities for themselves. We will use techniques such as small group moments, interactive question and answer periods, and audience contribution to engage our participants while we discuss the process we have implemented. While our training course was modeled on Liberty University’s design process, we will teach participants how concepts implemented from our mentor/mentee relationship model can be used to train new employees at their institutions. 

At the end of the session you will: 

• Experience how the mentor/mentee model can be used to effectively train new employees. 
• Describe the benefit of expediting training for new employees by allowing them to take on projects at a much quicker rate. 
• Recognize how using a comprehensive, yet condensed model gives new designers confidence in their ability to do their job well.