Learning |
Communication |
Other |
It is an innovative new interactive learning process as it makes collaboration learning and mentoring transparent |
It is an easy and effortless way for the mentor to stay in touch with the mentoring teacher |
It is transparent and can be recognized as a pedagogical tool |
As the mentors get support and help from the mentoring teachers the work mentors become better at supporting the learning process of the students |
As communication improves the work mentor does not feel alone when a problem arises or when he needs peer support from the teacher. |
The work mentors don’t feel as alone in the mentoring process as before and they feel that they are more recognized. |
It is easier to keep up with the curricula and the learning goals as the Apps makes the communication smoother and more transparent |
It gives the work mentors to create a private group where they can share problems, change information, best practices. |
Mentoring becomes a group effort |
Provides a tool where mentors can share what students have done and what they have learned and what where they need more training and development |
Value |
Value |
Here are some possible obstacles and how students can overcome them:
Obstacle |
Solution |
It can’t be used because the students has several mentors and/or the mentor might change |
If there is a change of mentor it is important to give the mentor a report of issues and students progress. Make sure that they are added to/informed about the social media to be used and that they know what is expected of them. Make sure that all parties involved in the mentoring are informed of the changes and how it might affect the mentoring |
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 |
The “social media can’t be used at the workplace”-attitude |
If you demonstrate how it can be used successfully people are likely to change their negative attitude to a more positive one Make an agreement for where and when social media/apps can be used (eg. Coffee breaks) |
The student will post e.g. pictures and company secrets online |
Before the beginning of the work placement a code of practice about what can and what can’t be posted should be agreed on |
We’re not allowed to us social media because of company communication rules |
Sit down with the employer and see if exceptions can be made to this rule and agree on when, where and in what situations social media can be used Describe why it might be beneficial to update the communication rules |
We can’t force the work mentor to use social media |
You can’t force but you can educate and explain the benefits of using social media in mentoring by demonstrating how it improves communication. |