Trello is a web-based project management application made by Fog Creek Software in 2011. Trello is most known as a tool to manage projects, school bulletin boards and lesson planning It is a collaborative work management tool that tells you what's being worked on, who's working on what, and where something is in a process. On Trello you can create private or group boards and decide if you want to make them public or private. For mentoring purposes we create to use group boards that are visible only for those included in the group created for mentoring. |
|
|
Benefits:
- On Trello you can create private or group boards and decide if you want to make them public or private
- A free version can meet all mentoring needs
- In Trello you can create as many boards as you like and you can get access to other widgets like e.g. a calender
- you can visually sort tasks and it can be used on different kind of learners.
- It is visually pleasing and can change backgrounds etc
- If you want to make it even clearer you can create e.g. checklists of tasks to be done
- It can be linked to your email
- Can be used in different ways
- Can be used from a PC computer
Obstacles |
Solutions |
It is difficult to see the progress made. |
Everyone must update their work as it progresses |
It can be very confusing because it has a different layout operating systems |
The layout might be different but the way it works is the same. The mentoring teachers should be aware of the fact that the layout is different and help students and work mentor on how to use Trello even if the layout is different |
Giving feedback is not personal as everyone on the board can see it |
You must agree on what kind of feedback to give on Trello, e.g. feedback that benefits the whole groups learning process. Individual feedback should be given using other channels, e.g. face to face meetings, WhatsApp, Messenger |
Trello is becoming more and more limited (the free version) and you have to upgrade to business class if you want to access all functions |
One of the three partners must have upgraded version to assess all the functions. If you are a school, you can get 30% discount on the professional version. |
Our top 10 tips for using Trello for mentoring
- Use google account when creating your Trello
- Make sure that everyone knows how to use Trello and if someone is not familiar with it educate them and inform them of the benefits of using Trello for mentoring
- Agree on what content Trello should have and what kind of material should be posted there
- Give specific rights to the work mentors and students
- Create the boards on a computer, after which you can access Trello from your e.g. smartphone https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfOe9gljj38
- Create a Trello calendar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgXgFdBhaZQ
- Create checklists that shows what is supposed to be done, who is supposed to do what etc.
- Use Trello for webinars https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzVm4ptYxzs&list=PL4H_oPRK80z4069RS-Mt2zJJ1Ijg2QLZ9
- Record the webinars and share it so that those that wants/needs can go back and look/listen at the webinar
- After you’ve finished mentoring through Trello archive that group board