Virtual Community Mentoring in Higher Education

Abstract

This article will focus on the characteristics of a technology- supported virtual community where university students can seek the guidance of professionals in the students’ field of study via a mediated mentoring program. Advances in information and communication technologies, particularly the Internet and interactive multimedia technologies, are creating new networking opportunities for students. Mentors and mentees can develop valuable relationships facilitated by multimedia technologies. This article will explore the characteristics of both community and mentoring within the framework of a technology-supported virtual community.