Education Commons^™

A Learning Community For New Chairs, Lynn Stallings, Meghan Burke, Ruth A. Goldfine, Dawn L. Kirby, Monica Nandan, Sharon Pearcey, Kandice Porter, Amy Woszczynski

Monica Nandan

Key elements of an effective professional learning community will be discussed, including readings, peer mentoring, meeting structure, composition, and timing of topics. Presenters will discuss the challenges of their first years as chairs, particularly finding their individual leadership styles and a balance between professional and personal lives.

What I Learned From My Summer Research Scholar: The Transformative Impact Of Undergraduate Research Mentorship On The Liaison Librarian Narrative, Erica Millspaugh, Barbara Harvey

Erica Millspaugh

No abstract provided.

Valuing Early Career Teachers: Putting The Brakes On The Exodus, Marion Shields, Peter W. Kilgour

Peter Kilgour

The attrition of early career teachers has been

identified as an international issue. This paper

reports on an Australian study that sought to

identify the lived experiences of beginning

teachers in one independent school system

in their first three years. Areas such as the

teacher’s job satisfaction and impacting factors

were addressed. Data revealed that the main

drivers for teachers terminating their teaching

career in the first few years are connected to

work/life balance, the level of support from

administration, the teacher’s mentor, and the

level and appropriateness of the professional

development they are permitted to attend.

Revelations From A Resident Assistant Mentoring Study: Misalignment On Mentoring, Sherry Early Phd, Britt Frye, Jessica M. Hanna Edd

Sherry Early

What do we really know about mentoring Resident Assistants (RAs)? Does mentoring affect RAs’ leadership efficacies? To address these two research questions we created a successful collaborative research project between Housing and Residence Life (HRL) and Leadership Studies faculty. We wanted to learn more about mentoring encounters/relationships and leadership efficacy (self-efficacy and leadership behaviors). Any successful assessment or research project requires communication and delegation of tasks.

A Graduate Student Mentoring Program To Develop Interest In Research, Mary E. Kiersma, Nicholas E. Hagemeier, Aleda M.H. Chen, Brittany Melton, Marwa Noureldin, Kimberly S. Plake

Nicholas E. Hagemeier

Objective. To assess the impact of a graduate student mentoring program on student interest in research and postgraduate education and on graduate student confidence in mentoring. Methods. Undergraduate and pharmacy students (mentees) and graduate students (mentors) were matched and participated in the study, which required them to engage in at least 2 discussions regarding research and careers. Mentees completed a pre- and post-assessment of their perceptions of research, postgraduate training plans, and perceptions about mentors. Mentors completed a pre- and post-assessment of their perceptions about themselves as mentors and their confidence in mentoring. Results. Although there were no significant differences …

Connections Through Clubs: Collaboration And Coordination Of A Schoolwide Program, Wendy Logan, Janna L. Scarborough

Janna L. Scarborough

The "Connections Through Clubs" program provides all students with the opportunity to participate in a small-group extracurricular activity and mentoring experience led by school faculty, staff, and community members during the school day throughout the academic year. This schoolwide program was developed in response to identified school needs and as a means to facilitate a strengths-enhancing school environment and to promote the developmental competencies of all students, both of which have been linked to academic and personal success. The purpose of this article is to describe the inception, implementation, and preliminary evaluation of the Connections Through Clubs program. In addition, …

Evaluation Of The In2science Peer Mentoring Program: Final Report, Julie Kos, Jacynta Krakouer, Sheldon Rothman

Dr Sheldon Rothman

Large-scale studies of 15-year-old school students show associations between students’ attitudes toward science learning and their levels of achievement (Ainley, Kos, & Nicholas, 2008). One model for improving students’ attitudes towards science and mathematics learning has been the provision of peer mentoring. The In2science program uses a peer mentoring approach to engage secondary school students in science and mathematics study. Working with the classroom teacher, university students serve as mentors and help students with their learning and build relationships in a small group or a whole class. Mentors talk to students about studying science (or another STEM area) at university …

Evaluation Of The In2science Peer Mentoring Program: Final Report, Julie Kos, Jacynta Krakouer, Sheldon Rothman

Jacynta Krakouer

Large-scale studies of 15-year-old school students show associations between students’ attitudes toward science learning and their levels of achievement (Ainley, Kos, & Nicholas, 2008). One model for improving students’ attitudes towards science and mathematics learning has been the provision of peer mentoring. The In2science program uses a peer mentoring approach to engage secondary school students in science and mathematics study. Working with the classroom teacher, university students serve as mentors and help students with their learning and build relationships in a small group or a whole class. Mentors talk to students about studying science (or another STEM area) at university …

Prior Mentoring And Computer-Mediated Experiences Influence On Willingness To Engage In E-Mentoring, Marty Thomas, Ellen Ensher

Ellen Ensher

The practice of mentoring has proliferated tremendously and occurs in many different forms. The advent of Internet technology offers some new possibilities to traditional face-to-face mentoring relationships in which mentoring relationships are not constrained by physical proximity (e-mentoring). This presentation will describe the results of a research study involving the relationship between willingness to participate in e-mentoring relationships and prior mentoring and CMC experiences. The researchers considered three hypotheses: 1) positive prior mentoring experiences will increase the likelihood of participating in e-mentoring; 2) positive prior experiences with CMC will increase the likelihood of participating in e-mentoring; 3) the form of …

Effects Of Peer Mentoring On Types Of Mentor Support, Program Satisfaction And Graduate Student Stress: A Dyadic Perspective, Ellen A. Ensher, Elisa J. Grant-Vallone

Ellen Ensher

Examines the effects of a graduate student peer-mentoring program from the perspectives of both members of the mentoring dyad, the mentors and proteges. Results indicate that peer mentoring provides students with both increased levels of psychosocial and instrumental support, and that those with high levels of support are more satisfied with their peer mentoring relationships.

A Guide To Support Coaching And Mentoring For School Improvement, Kathryn Moyle

Professor Kathryn Moyle (consultant)

This guide emerged from policies and professional learning practices in the Northern Territory, Australia. Between 2014-2016, six experienced school principals located in remote urban and regional schools met twice a year to share plans, experiences and reflections about how they were using coaching and mentoring conversations to support teachers in their schools.

An Examination Of Mentoring Relationships And Leadership Capacity In Resident Assistants, Sherry L. Early

Sherry Early

The leadership capacity of resident assistants can be impacted by many experiences, including involvement in mentoring relationships. The purpose of this study was to examine if and how resident assistants’ leadership capacities are influenced by participating in these relationships. A sample of 6,006 resident assistants was analyzed using data from the 2009 Multi-Institutional Study of Leadership. An adapted version of Astin’s Input-Environment-Outcome college impact model was used as the conceptual framework, and the Social Change Model of Leadership was used as the theoretical framework. Overall findings revealed that resident assistants who participated in mentoring relationships exhibited significantly higher leadership capacities …

Using Data, Conversations And Observations For School Improvement, Kathryn Moyle

Professor Kathryn Moyle (consultant)

Conversations and observations about school-based data and individual improvements in classroom practices can form some of the more powerful parts of a school’s overall approach to professional learning deliberately aimed at gaining improvements. The success of such strategies depends on the development of a school culture of trust, and the use of effective communication strategies. In this paper Professor Kathryn Moyle outlines the steps school leadership can take in establishing a basis for conversations and observations, conducting coaching and mentoring conversations and building a culture of trust. The focus in this paper is on the professional learning purposes of using …

Advising Doctoral Students In Education Programs, Christy M. Craft, Donna Augustine-Shaw, Amanda Fairbanks, Gayla Adams-Wright

Christy Moran Craft

Predictors Of Professional Identity Development For Student Affairs Professionals., Edward C. Pittman, John D. Foubert

John D. Foubert

Case Studies To Enhance Graduate Employability: Entrepreneurship., Madelaine Judd, Shelley Kinash, Linda Crane, Cecily Knight, Matthew Mclean, Kirsty Mitchell, David Dowling, Ros Schwerdt, Caroline Lovell

Linda Crane

This is one in a series of case studies to enhance graduate employability. The theme of this case study is: • Entrepreneurship (graduates in start-up businesses and graduates employed by entrepreneurs) Entrepreneurship signifies an alternative means to traditional notions of graduate employability. Entrepreneurial start-ups are increasingly established by recent graduates as a means of self-employment. An educator described ethical entrepreneurship as “being able to work out when things are going wrong, in your own humble way, with your own level of intelligence and what you are born with, how to try to manage that situation in an efficacious fashion to …

Mentoring Is More Than Teaching: It’S Actually A Lot More Like Mothering, Lisa Smith

Lisa Smith

No abstract provided.

Starting Coaching And Mentoring Conversations, Kathryn Moyle

Professor Kathryn Moyle

Establishing the right conditions for coaching and mentoring programs helps ensure these conversations play an important role in a school's improvement agenda.

Enabling National Software Development Competitions To Identify And Enhance Student Mentor Capability In Singapore, Chris Boesch, Sandra Boesch

Chris BOESCH

The authors previously developed a system to facilitate the self-directed learning and practicing of software languages in Singapore. One of the goals of this self-directed learning was to enable the creation of student mentors who would be able to assist other students during classroom sessions. Building on this work, the authors extended the platform to support the promotion and coordination of multiple programming competitions including multiple schools systems within Singapore with the goals of identifying, enabling, and mentoring students who might be better prepared to mentor their peers at their school after participating in the country wide competition. This paper …

Mentoring The Next Researcher Generation: Reflections On Three Years Of Building Vet Research Capacity And Infrastructure, Llandis Barratt-Pugh

Llandis Barratt-Pugh

During 2008-2011, the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) funded a programme to build Australian VET research capacity and rejuvenate what has been seen as the existing 'greying' researcher pool. This paper is a reflective narrative about experiences of constructing the programme with a specific focus on the mentoring activity. It is about researching how we develop VET researchers, and specifically the role that experienced researchers can play. In the first three years, more than 40 experienced VET researchers have been associated with the programme, mainly as mentors and facilitators. These mentors have supported 30 new VET researchers undertaking …

Coaching And Mentoring In Adult Basic Education, Sharon Reynolds, Cristine A. Smith, Kimberly Johnson

Cristine Smith

Are We Helping? A Discussion Of The Effects Of Trio Program Intervention On K - 12 Appalachian Seniors: Research, William D. Bowling, Sherwood Thompson

Sherwood Thompson

Postsecondary education is quickly becoming a requirement for many flourishing and emerging career fields. Because of this, an increased focused on postsecondary enrollment and attainment has been seen in the education community, particularly in K-12 education systems. To that end, a large number of programs and organizations have begun to provide academic and college preparation assistance to these students in the form of academic advising, college coaching, and personal enrichment. Since the enactment of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, there has been a burgeoning population of such programs like the TRIO family. This article focuses on a group of …

An Online Mentoring Practicum In Physical And Health Education Teacher Preparation: Preliminary Findings And Future Directions, Douglas Hearne, Lori Lockyer, Gregg S. Rowland, John W. Patterson

Professor Lori Lockyer

An important aspect of any professional education is the opportunity for students to engage in meaningful practical experiences. In pre-service teacher education, this vital practicum component has undergone challenges in recent years due to increasing student numbers (due to the increasing demand for new teachers) and limited resources in university and school sectors. As a result, new innovations to enhance the practical component of this professional degree have been sought. This paper highlights preliminary findings of one aspect of a larger study that used asynchronous Web-based communication tools to facilitate mentoring and peer support through the practice teaching experience. Analysis …

Becoming A Beginning Teacher: An Online Mentoring Experience For Pre-Service Physical And Health Educators, Douglas Hearne, Lori Lockyer, Gregg Rowland, John Patterson

Professor Lori Lockyer

A key feature of any professional education is opportunity for students to engage in meaningful practical learning experiences. In pre-service teacher education, the practicum is a central component. However, due to increasing student numbers and limited resources in university and school sectors, the practicum has undergone challenges in recent years. As a result, innovations to enhance the practical component of this professional degree have been sought. This paper highlights the findings of one aspect of a larger study that used asynchronous Web-based communication tools to facilitate mentoring and peer support through the practice teaching experience. Analysis of qualitative data including …

Online Mentoring And Peer Support: Using Learning Technologies To Facilitate Entry Into A Community Of Practice, Lori Lockyer, John Patterson, Gregg Rowland, Douglas Hearne

Professor Lori Lockyer

A vital aspect of any professional education is the opportunity for students to engage in meaningful practical experiences. In pre‐service teacher education in Australia, this vital teaching practice component has undergone challenges in recent years due to increasing student numbers (linked to the increasing demand for new teachers) and limited resources in university and school sectors. As such, initiatives to enhance the practical component of this professional degree have been sought. This paper details the methodology and outcomes associated with a pilot project that utilized asynchronous Web‐based communication tools to facilitate mentoring and peer support through the teaching practice experience. …

Mentoring In Online Doctoral Education, Alice Walters, William Barkley

Alice A Walters

Online higher education is a growing source of educational attainment for both traditional and nontraditional students. This research integrates rapid expansion of online learning with mentoring practices in graduate education aimed to increase student success rates. Presented are results from a qualitative case study analyzing one quarter of pilot data from an online doctoral mentoring forum. Major themes of student discussion included program processes, relational interactions, and professional development. Study findings increase understanding perceived needs of human services doctoral students. Implications of the research lead to increasing effectiveness of graduate mentoring and improved student success rates in online education.

10 Things To Know About Mentoring Student Teachers, Douglas B. Larkin

Douglas B. Larkin

Experiences, Insights And Advice: Perspectives Of A Nontraditional Graduate Student, Connie I. Reimers-Hild

Connie I Reimers-Hild, PhD, CPC

I recently graduated with my Ph.D., and I have had a variety of experiences during my college career. For example, I have been both a traditional student and a nontraditional learner. I have also studied at a distance. A variety of educational and professional experiences have enabled me develop some powerful insights on what it takes to be a successful nontraditional learner. One of the most important lessons I have learned is that it is important to develop learners’ human and social capital in order to help them increase their chances of success. First, this paper will present my experiences …

Student Peer Mentoring In Australian Higher Education: An Investigation, Nick Mcghie

Nick McGhie

This thesis is an exploration of student peer mentoring programs which are increasingly popular in Australian higher education. The thesis investigates the motivations behind student peer mentoring programs offering transition-in support for students. The thesis investigates whether programs are run to benefit the students or to serve the interests of the institution. The thesis explores the current context of higher education in Australia and moves to a case study of the University of Wollongong. Interview data is used to analyse how staff and students navigate the institutional narrative surrounding student peer mentoring and its uses.

Australian Apprentice Retention Pilot Project: Report To Megt, Justin Brown, Phillip Mckenzie, Adrian Beavis

Dr Justin Brown

The Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) was engaged in February 2010 by MEGT to conduct research on the retention of first-year apprentices participating in the MEGT mentoring and social networking program. Sponsored by DEEWR, the Australian Apprentice Retention Pilot Project aims to improve the retention of apprentices in skills shortage trades. The project involves the provision of mentors to support apprentices at three sites: in Queensland (Logan/Ipswich); New South Wales (Western Sydney); and Victoria (Southeast Melbourne). The role of the mentors is to visit the apprentice and maintain ongoing contact through social networking tools such as Facebook and Twitter …