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Online Mentoring

A chronic challenge in schooling is that students are isolated, particularly when you want to engage in a content area that is non-traditional for them and in which there is not a lot of local expertise around. Technology can bring people into contact across distances—figuring out how to do that is a critical challenge to making the most of our modern communication technology. Online communications tools—from video conferencing and teleconferencing to Internet discussion forums—offer educators and students valuable opportunities to expand their learning and teaching experiences beyond their classrooms and communities by connecting them with mentors and peers around the globe. Developing a clear understanding of how to foster such relationships holds great potential for improving the circumstances for learning among rural and disadvantaged children. Select a snapshot below to learn more about the kinds of work we do in this area.

CCT staff who have played prominent roles in this domain include Terri Meade.

• Snapshot 1
  In one of our most recognized efforts, the Mathematics Learning Forums Project, we used the Internet to bring together communities of teachers interested in mathematics reform. This project was one of the first to implement online communications in professional development at the K-12 level.
• Snapshot 2
  To provide young women with ongoing guidance and support in exploring math, science and technology careers, we developed Internet-based telementoring environments that link high school girls with professional women in science and technical fields. These environments included one-on-one mentoring, discussion forums and peer lounges.
• Snapshot 3
  More recently, we worked with the New Mexico Department of Education to develop a series of online seminars that provide administrators from all parts of the state with a discussion forum to share insights about technology implementation challenges. We designed the online environment and its content, and facilitated online discussions for the project called New Mexico Virtual Learning Communities.