Abstract
The practice of online mentoring, known as telementoring, provides a powerful tool to facilitate meaningful learning. It is based upon the traditional roles of mentoring, yet, it goes beyond temporal and spatial boundaries. The majority of telementoring models involve subject matter experts and students who engage in projects to further learning. Successful telementoring projects involve both content-centered processes as well as effective telecommunication processes. When these elements combine, students engage in opportunities for inquiry and deep learning and telementors experience satisfaction for sharing their knowledge and facilitating the growth of student learning.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Mechanomorphism: Attributing machine characteristics to people involved in text-based online exchanges in the absence of personal identifying information.
Asynchronous: Refers to the nature of telecommunications that permits each
Telementoring: Online or virtual mentoring.
Mentee: A person who is mentored, also known as a protégé.
Mentor: “Any relationship in which a knowledgeable person aids a less knowledgeable person to perform in a new job or a new community of practitioners” ( O’Neill, 1996 , p. 1).
Synchronous: Refers to the nature of telecommunications that permits participants to communicate online at the same time.
SME: Subject matter expert. A telementor is a subject matter expert.
correspondent to communicate online at separate times: usually at the correspondent’s convenience