Transitioning to e-Mentoring in a Digital World

Session Objectives

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Describe “technology supported mentoring” within an educational setting, including critical e-mentoring skills, core values, and synchronous and asynchronous communication competencies.
2. List five essential e-mentoring elements that will foster productive and dynamic educational experiences for both mentors and mentees.
3. Discuss pros and cons of e-mentoring models that include various e-mentoring platforms.

Mentoring is a common method of supporting and guiding learners in their development upon entering a program or practice in any profession. Mentoring is about creating synergy and a learning partnership between two people: a more experienced or knowledgeable person helps to guide a less experienced or knowledgeable person. It is a developmental period where the knowledge, skills and attitudes are acquired during professional and educational practice. Although mentoring has been in place and an integral part of education for many years, mentoring training is still emerging, and most mentors have received no training in how to advise/mentor their learners and/or junior faculty in different types of mentoring models. Thus, the traditional mores of face-to-face interactions in mentoring have remained as a norm, not undergoing any transition to adopt new modalities that suit the changing circumstances in this digital age. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a wake-up call for education and mentoring activities and the need for educators to prepare contingency plans. At this point, we need to educate ourselves on how to apply e-mentoring best practices with effective implementation procedures using various e-mentoring platforms so that we can perform our role effectively. Thus, mentors and mentees can interact frequently and at more convenient times.

This synchronous online express workshop will present critical e-mentoring skills (social and cognitive), core values, and synchronous and asynchronous communication competencies that are vital for providing professional expertise and guidance for a high impact practices with our mentees or our students. The workshop will also cover the following 5 essential e-mentoring elements that will foster a more productive and dynamic educational experience for both mentors and mentees.

1. Professional development
2. Career development
3. Psychological development
4. Technology considerations
5. Building resources

The workshop will provide a discussion forum on pros and cons of e-mentoring models that include various e-mentoring platforms. Finally, participants will leave this workshop with tools, new ideas, and concepts that they can apply to their own programs and institutions.

Workshop Agenda, Topics/Activities (45 Minutes)

Step 1 (5 minutes): Opening

Introduction (agenda review)

Step 2 (10 minutes): Icebreaker

• Video: A Mentee Testimonial (real case)
• Challenge questions to participants
  • What attributes and skills should a mentor and a mentee possess?
  • How can these qualities and skills be transferred to an online environment for e-mentoring?
  • What is the essential e-mentoring elements that may foster productive and dynamic educational experiences for both mentors and mentees?

Step 3 (15 minutes): Introduction to e-Mentoring

• What does “technology supported mentoring” mean, and how can this model be implemented in an educational setting?
• Critical e-mentoring skills: cognitive and social skills
• Core values both mentors and mentees
• Synchronous and asynchronous communication competencies
• 5 essential e-mentoring elements
• Potential e-mentoring platforms

Step 4 (15 minutes): Pros and Cons of e-Mentoring Models & Key Takeaways

• Summary of the five essential elements in transitioning to e-mentoring to build a high impact learning experience for both mentors and mentees
• Discuss pros and cons of e-mentoring models that include various e-mentoring platforms
• Key takeaways and intended application after the workshop