Learning |
Communication |
Other |
It’s an innovative new interactive learning process where teachers can better stay up to date with the learning process |
It is an easy, flexible and smooth way for the teacher to regularly stay in touch with the work mentor and the student |
It gives the teachers to learn more about the company as the mentoring and learning becomes more transparent |
As mentoring becomes a more transparent process it will help teachers support students to gain better learning results. |
It becomes a true and genuine collaboration where teachers, work mentors and students can work and plan the learning activities together and solve problems as/if they arise |
Mentoring becomes a group effort |
Keeps It is easier to ensure that the aims of the curricula/learning goals will be met as the Apps makes the communication smoother and more transparent |
It gives teachers an opportunity to create a private group where they can share problems, change information, best practices. |
|
Makes it possible for teachers to learn and develop their skills as they are more involved in the mentoring process and the work they do during their work based learning |
It uses a medium that is familiar to learners and so encourages more frequent and open dialogue |
Value |
Here are some possible obstacles and how students can overcome them:
Obstacle |
Solution |
Teachers might feel it difficult of letting go of the control |
We need to make teachers aware of that social media is a tool and not a threat. It will not replace the face-to-face visits. Using different Apps will make them more prepared for the visits and will make the face-to-face visits more constructive and valuable Teachers need to gain confidence in using different Apps and VET providers should encourage them to use the step-by-step instruction on how to use social media |
Fear that using social media/apps for mentoring might mix their private and public life |
Have a separate work phone and private phone or use one phone that has 2 SIMS Create separate work logins for e.g. Facebook, Instagram |
We don’t have the needed equipment (smartphone, tablet, computer!) |
If an education provider decides to use social media for mentoring it is in the providers interest to lend equipment and train the work mentor/student to use it. Use Apps that can be used by both smartphones and computers in case one party only has one option |
We don’t think using social media is safe! |
The use of social media is never safe and this is why there must be clear guidelines on what to post. A contract/code of practice on how to use social media should be created Provide training on do’s and dont’s |
I have to be available 24 hours a day/7 days a week |
Before the placement all parties should agree on the timeframes for when to respond to messages and what the working hours of the different parties are. Office hours should be respected Encourage regular use so that using social media becomes a natural part of your workday. |
There is a difference of age, generation and technical skills which will make mentoring through social media different |
Use Youtube videos to self-educate yourself Ask someone who knows how to use the social media to teach you Use (if possible) social media that everyone is familiar with Rome wasn’t built in one day so it is ok to learn step-by-step Encourage champions in colleges or employers to act as trail blazers to show others good practice. |
I can’t keep up with the changes/updates to the apps. The free versions of apps can be limited |
Be aware of upgrades, choose auto upgrade. Where possible don’t switch platforms during a placement |
What if you loose your phone, the battery is low, phone is stolen or you don’t have wifi |
By using social media the content is backed up on the cloud and therefore not really lost and you can access it when you have access to a phone/computer/wifi again |
I, as a teacher, can’t be expected to use many different apps |
Select e.g. 5 apps that you are familiar with and ask the work mentor what app they are used and willing to use out of these and use that one |