E-mentoring is a collaboration between teacher, mentor, and student. The teacher is the key to a successful e-mentoring experience They provide the curriculum, structure, and support that will insure that the project is successful and beneficial to the students. They are also the main point of contact for the business person and the student. The Silicon prairie Education Coordinator will match your students and their project with mentors that are aligned with your instructional plan and timeframe.

If you are considering using e-mentoring in your classroom and want to see some examples of how it works, check out Projects.

BENEFITS | QUICK CHECK | EXPECTATIONS | TIPS | PLANNING | JOIN 

Benefits of Having an E-mentor

E-mentoring can add a dimension to your classroom by opening the doors of the community to your students and engaging them in communication with professionals in their areas of interest and study. E-mentoring benefits students by:

• increasing motivation to excel in school through guidance and encouragement from a professional
• offering greater awareness of careers and understanding of how academic skills are used in the workplace.
• encouraging them to take charge of their own learning as they gather and analyze information.
• providing authentic communication and technology experiences.
• enhancing critical thinking, problem solving, and communication skills.

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Teacher Quick Check

The following questions might help you assess if you have the resources necessary for a mentoring project:

Are you comfortable using e-mail and the Internet?

Will the participating students in your classroom be able to obtain an e-mail address that they can use for this project?

Will participation by your students in this program be directly tied to a subject grade?

Can you provide and supervise the computer access time for the participating students 2 - 3 time each week so that they can read, digest and respond to e-mail from their mentors?

Will your students' participation in this program be monitored, and assessed as part of the regular classroom activities?

Do you have administrative and technology support at your school to participate in this program?

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Expectations of Teachers

• The contact teacher should have access to Internet, e-mail and the World Wide Web.
• The teacher is responsible for establishing an e-mail address on which the students and mentors can communicate. This can be the teacher's e-mail address or one specifically set up for this project.
• The teacher will monitor the mentoring project and correspondence. Students are only to communicate with their mentors during school hours as guided by the teacher. Students are not to e-mail the mentor using their own private e-mail addresses and the mentors will not mail to any personal student addresses.
• E-mentoring projects require a commitment of time. Teachers should checke-mail and Internet discussions daily if possible. It is important that teachers are prompt in their interactions with mentors and with students. Students and mentors become discouraged if long periods of time (48 hours or longer) pass without a response.
• The Teacher notifies the mentors in advance of any school events that would impede students' e-mail communication with the mentors. (assemblies, breaks, etc.)

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Tips for Your Students

Here are some ideas and guidelines you can use with your students to insure that their telecommunications are successful.

Be Respectful of the Mentors

Your students need to be very conscious of the social relationships which must develop between themselves and their mentor. Care must be taken to be respectful of the time and resources of the mentor and their company or organization. Donated time cannot be taken for granted. Expressions of appreciation for this time are very important. Additionally, inviting an interested mentor to present to students face-to-face can provide a real person to connect with the electronic communications.

Use On-line Etiquette

Corresponding by e-mail requires that your students write clearly and efficiently. Studies show that our words account for only 8% of what we communicate. The balance of "what we say" is made up of the tones and inflections of our voice (54%); and our gestures, expressions, and other body language (38%). In e-mail you have no tone of voice, no gestures, no facial expressions to make your point. Everything you want to communicate must be expressed in carefully chosen words.

Observe Privacy and Security

All students participating in the e-mentoring project should sign your school district's Acceptable Use Policy Statement. Almost all districts have designed or adopted a specific AUP. Check with the technology coordinator or media specialist if you do not have your approved copy.

All communications between students and mentors should occur during the school day under a teacher assigned and monitored e-mail address. Instruct your students not to give their personal e-mail addresses to their mentors or to contact a mentor through any address or phone that is not provided by the school.

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Planning the E-mentoring Project

If you think you would like to use e-mentoring in your classroom, here are some simple steps to get you on your way. You can also check out some projects that other teachers have done.

Make the Project Curriculum Based

A successful e-mentoring project must be based on curriculum goals and objectives. The interactions between students and mentors should be grounded in the subject area and be an integral part of the learning.

Determine Project Goals

As in all lessons and units, the mentoring project must have specific goal, activities, and outcomes for the students.

Identify the Project Timeline