Research Article
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E-Mentoring at A Distance: An Approach to Support Professional Development in Workplaces

Year 2017, Volume: 18 Issue: 3, 135 - 155, 01.07.2017
https://doi.org/10.17718/tojde.328944

Abstract

The rapid growth of technology has had a significant effect on educational activities. As a result of this growth, a shift has taken place from a behaviorist teaching style to a constructivist perspective which enables adult learners to build up knowledge collaboratively. Mentoring, a valuable tool within the constructivism approach, can offer a two-way knowledge-sharing environment in which participants can adopt what they learn into their workplaces through a process called transformative learning. Mentoring has now embraced technological advances so that participants can contact each other with synchronous and asynchronous communication tools such as Skype and e-mail respectively. This research project was conducted in a governmental company as a case study in order to study how the participants of mentoring understand their roles, and how they perceive these roles when communicating through Skype and e-mail. The project culminates in suggestions for a new e-mentoring model for practitioners. One of the findings in the research shows that the understanding of the mentoring relationship is diverse, and most participants have confusion about the different meanings of coaching, mentoring and consulting. However, almost all the participants agree that mentors should have a strong position to foster transformative learning in a mentoring process. Although transformative learning has not occurred in the relationships, Skype is a supporting technology for mentors to complement e-mail dialogs by clarification, and building up a trusting relationship. Moreover, some mentors often take an active role to manage and control the relationships as a leading position, but mentees mostly support this action by asking good questions and initiating meetings. Additionally, e-mail is used as a storage tool to review previous conversations, and it is used to re-schedule and initiate online meetings. Lastly, the researcher reflects on the implementation process as practical implications for other practitioners who would like to implement electronic mentoring in workplaces.


References

  • Akin, L. and Hilbun, J. (2007). E-mentoring in Three Voices. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 10(1). Retrieved from http://www.westga.edu/~distance/ojdla/spring101/akin101.htm Anderson, C. (2010). Presenting and Evaluating Qualitative Research. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 74 (8), pp. 1-7. An, S. and Lipscomb, R. (2010). Instant mentoring: sharing wisdom and getting advice online with e-mentoring. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 110(8), pp.1148, 1150–5. Bamford, C. (2011). Mentoring in the twenty-first century. Leadership in Health Services, 24(2), pp.150–163. Blaxter, L., Hughes, C. & Malcolm, T. (2006). How to Research. Third Edit. Berkshire England: Open University Press. Christie, B. and Collyer, J. (2008). Do video clips add more value than audio clips? Presenting industrial research and development results using multimedia. Behaviour & Information Technology, 27(5), pp.395–405. Celik, S. (2011). Kutuphaneci Egitiminde Mentorluk Uygulaması: Dogus Universitesi Kutuphanesi Ornegi [Mentoring Implementation in Librarian Education: The Dogus University Library example]. Bilgi Dunyasi 12(2), pp. 295-318 Circle, K. et al. (2010). Special Education Leadership. Conole, G. (2013). Describing learning activities Tools and resources to guide practice. In H. Beetham and R. Sharpe, eds. Rethinking Pedagogy for a Digital Age: Designing for 21st Century Learning. London and New York:Routledge, pp. 81–91. Cohen, L., Manion, L. & Morrison, K. (2011). Research Methods in Education. 7th ed. Routledge. Cousin, G. (2005). Case Study Research. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 29(3), pp.421–427. Crow, G.M. (2012). A Critical-Constructivist Perspectiveon Mentoring and Coaching for Leardership. In S. Fletcher & Mullen A. Carol, eds. SAGE Handbook of Mentoring and Coaching in Education. pp. 228–241. Dorner, H. (2012). Mentoring Innovation through Online Communications in a Digital Culture. In S. Fletcher & M. A. Carol, eds. SAGE Handbook of Mentoring and Coaching in Education. SAGE Publications, pp. 169–183. Eres, F. (2009). Okul Yoneticilerinin Yetistirilmesinde Mentorluk [Mentoring in the Training of School Administrators]. Kafkas Universitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitu Dergisi, 1(3). Ensher, E.A., Heun, C. & Blanchard, A. (2003). Online mentoring and computer-mediated communication: New directions in research. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 63(2), pp.264–288. Fletcher, S.J. (2012). Fostering the Use of Web-based Technology in Mentoring and Coaching. In S. Fletcher & M. A. Carol, eds. SAGE Handbook of Mentoring and Coaching in Education. SAGE Publications, pp. 74–88. 155 Gillham, B. (2010). Case study research methods. Continuum. Homitz, D.J. and Berge, Z.L. (2008). Using e-mentoring to sustain distance training and education. The Learning Organization, 15(4), pp.326–335. Headlam-Wells, J., Craig, J. & Gosland, J. (2006). Encounters in social cyberspace: e-mentoring for professional women. Women In Management Review, 21(6), pp.483–499. Klasen, N. and Clutterbuck, D. (2001). Implementing Mentoring Schemes: A Practical Guide to Successful Programs. Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann. Knapper, C. and Cropiey, A.J. (2000). Lifelong Learning in Higher Education - Christopher Knapper, A. London: Kogan Page Limited. Khalil, M.A. (2008). Promoting Success: Mentoring Students with Disabilities Using New Technologies in Higher Education. Library Hi Tech News, 25(1), pp.8–12. Kuzu, A., Kahraman, M. & Odabasi, F. (2012). E-Mentoring : A New Approach in Mentoring. AUSBD, retrieved from http://sbd.dergi.anadolu.edu.tr/makale_goster.php?id=934 Laurillard, D. (2012). Teaching as a Design Science: Bulding Pedegogical Patterns for Learning and Technology. New York and London: Routledge. Lavin Colky, D. and Young, W.H. (2006). Mentoring in the virtual organization: keys to building successful schools and businesses. Mentoring & Tutoring: Partnership in Learning, 14(4), pp.433–447. Lord, P., Atkinson, M. and Mitchell, H. (2008). Mentorıng and Coachıng For Professıonals : A Study Of The Research Evıdence, Retrieved from https://www.nfer.ac.uk/publications/MCM01/MCM01.pdf Pachler, N. and Redondo, A. (2012). A Critical-Constructivist Perspective on Mentoring and Coaching for Leardership. In S. Fletcher & M. A. Carol, eds. SAGE Handbook of Mentoring and Coaching in Education. SAGE Publications, pp. 459–477. Pope, C., Ziebland, S., & Mays, N. (2000). Analyzing qualitative data. Bmj, 320(7227), 114-116. Rowland, K.N. (2012). Management & Innovation E-Mentoring : An Innovative Twist to Traditional Mentoring. , 7(1). Salmon, G. (2002). E-tivities: The Key to Online Teaching, Training and Learning. London: Routledge. Sen, H.T. and Alan, H. (2014). Impact Of Mentoring Process To Nurse Management. Journal of Health and Nursing Management 1(2), 99-104 DOI: 10.5222/SHYD.2014.099 Single, P.B. and Muller, C.B. (2001). Creating Mentoring and Coaching Program. L. K. Stromei, ed. American Society for Training and Development. Single, P.B. and Single, R.M. (2005). E‐mentoring for social equity: review of research to inform program development. Mentoring & Tutoring: Partnership in Learning, 13(2), pp.301–320. White, C. (2005). Contribution of Distance Education to the Development of Individual Learners. Distance Education, 26(2), pp.165–181. Whitworth, A. (2009). Information Obesity. Oxford: Chandos Publishing.
Year 2017, Volume: 18 Issue: 3, 135 - 155, 01.07.2017
https://doi.org/10.17718/tojde.328944

Abstract

References

  • Akin, L. and Hilbun, J. (2007). E-mentoring in Three Voices. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 10(1). Retrieved from http://www.westga.edu/~distance/ojdla/spring101/akin101.htm Anderson, C. (2010). Presenting and Evaluating Qualitative Research. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 74 (8), pp. 1-7. An, S. and Lipscomb, R. (2010). Instant mentoring: sharing wisdom and getting advice online with e-mentoring. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 110(8), pp.1148, 1150–5. Bamford, C. (2011). Mentoring in the twenty-first century. Leadership in Health Services, 24(2), pp.150–163. Blaxter, L., Hughes, C. & Malcolm, T. (2006). How to Research. Third Edit. Berkshire England: Open University Press. Christie, B. and Collyer, J. (2008). Do video clips add more value than audio clips? Presenting industrial research and development results using multimedia. Behaviour & Information Technology, 27(5), pp.395–405. Celik, S. (2011). Kutuphaneci Egitiminde Mentorluk Uygulaması: Dogus Universitesi Kutuphanesi Ornegi [Mentoring Implementation in Librarian Education: The Dogus University Library example]. Bilgi Dunyasi 12(2), pp. 295-318 Circle, K. et al. (2010). Special Education Leadership. Conole, G. (2013). Describing learning activities Tools and resources to guide practice. In H. Beetham and R. Sharpe, eds. Rethinking Pedagogy for a Digital Age: Designing for 21st Century Learning. London and New York:Routledge, pp. 81–91. Cohen, L., Manion, L. & Morrison, K. (2011). Research Methods in Education. 7th ed. Routledge. Cousin, G. (2005). Case Study Research. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 29(3), pp.421–427. Crow, G.M. (2012). A Critical-Constructivist Perspectiveon Mentoring and Coaching for Leardership. In S. Fletcher & Mullen A. Carol, eds. SAGE Handbook of Mentoring and Coaching in Education. pp. 228–241. Dorner, H. (2012). Mentoring Innovation through Online Communications in a Digital Culture. In S. Fletcher & M. A. Carol, eds. SAGE Handbook of Mentoring and Coaching in Education. SAGE Publications, pp. 169–183. Eres, F. (2009). Okul Yoneticilerinin Yetistirilmesinde Mentorluk [Mentoring in the Training of School Administrators]. Kafkas Universitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitu Dergisi, 1(3). Ensher, E.A., Heun, C. & Blanchard, A. (2003). Online mentoring and computer-mediated communication: New directions in research. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 63(2), pp.264–288. Fletcher, S.J. (2012). Fostering the Use of Web-based Technology in Mentoring and Coaching. In S. Fletcher & M. A. Carol, eds. SAGE Handbook of Mentoring and Coaching in Education. SAGE Publications, pp. 74–88. 155 Gillham, B. (2010). Case study research methods. Continuum. Homitz, D.J. and Berge, Z.L. (2008). Using e-mentoring to sustain distance training and education. The Learning Organization, 15(4), pp.326–335. Headlam-Wells, J., Craig, J. & Gosland, J. (2006). Encounters in social cyberspace: e-mentoring for professional women. Women In Management Review, 21(6), pp.483–499. Klasen, N. and Clutterbuck, D. (2001). Implementing Mentoring Schemes: A Practical Guide to Successful Programs. Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann. Knapper, C. and Cropiey, A.J. (2000). Lifelong Learning in Higher Education - Christopher Knapper, A. London: Kogan Page Limited. Khalil, M.A. (2008). Promoting Success: Mentoring Students with Disabilities Using New Technologies in Higher Education. Library Hi Tech News, 25(1), pp.8–12. Kuzu, A., Kahraman, M. & Odabasi, F. (2012). E-Mentoring : A New Approach in Mentoring. AUSBD, retrieved from http://sbd.dergi.anadolu.edu.tr/makale_goster.php?id=934 Laurillard, D. (2012). Teaching as a Design Science: Bulding Pedegogical Patterns for Learning and Technology. New York and London: Routledge. Lavin Colky, D. and Young, W.H. (2006). Mentoring in the virtual organization: keys to building successful schools and businesses. Mentoring & Tutoring: Partnership in Learning, 14(4), pp.433–447. Lord, P., Atkinson, M. and Mitchell, H. (2008). Mentorıng and Coachıng For Professıonals : A Study Of The Research Evıdence, Retrieved from https://www.nfer.ac.uk/publications/MCM01/MCM01.pdf Pachler, N. and Redondo, A. (2012). A Critical-Constructivist Perspective on Mentoring and Coaching for Leardership. In S. Fletcher & M. A. Carol, eds. SAGE Handbook of Mentoring and Coaching in Education. SAGE Publications, pp. 459–477. Pope, C., Ziebland, S., & Mays, N. (2000). Analyzing qualitative data. Bmj, 320(7227), 114-116. Rowland, K.N. (2012). Management & Innovation E-Mentoring : An Innovative Twist to Traditional Mentoring. , 7(1). Salmon, G. (2002). E-tivities: The Key to Online Teaching, Training and Learning. London: Routledge. Sen, H.T. and Alan, H. (2014). Impact Of Mentoring Process To Nurse Management. Journal of Health and Nursing Management 1(2), 99-104 DOI: 10.5222/SHYD.2014.099 Single, P.B. and Muller, C.B. (2001). Creating Mentoring and Coaching Program. L. K. Stromei, ed. American Society for Training and Development. Single, P.B. and Single, R.M. (2005). E‐mentoring for social equity: review of research to inform program development. Mentoring & Tutoring: Partnership in Learning, 13(2), pp.301–320. White, C. (2005). Contribution of Distance Education to the Development of Individual Learners. Distance Education, 26(2), pp.165–181. Whitworth, A. (2009). Information Obesity. Oxford: Chandos Publishing.
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Details

Journal Section Articles
Authors

Hasan Tanıs This is me

İan Barker This is me

Publication Date July 1, 2017
Submission Date July 17, 2017
Published in Issue Year 2017 Volume: 18 Issue: 3

Cite

APA Tanıs, H., & Barker, İ. (2017). E-Mentoring at A Distance: An Approach to Support Professional Development in Workplaces. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 18(3), 135-155. https://doi.org/10.17718/tojde.328944