Virtual Mentoring and HRD

Abstract

The problem and the solution. The purpose of this article is to explore virtual mentoring and discuss its implications for human resource development (HRD) as an individual and career development intervention. The authors recognize virtual mentoring as an alternative to traditional mentoring that is easier to manage, less costly, unconstrained by geography or time, faster, and more egalitarian than traditional mentoring. This article defines, compares, and contrasts traditional and virtual mentoring. It discusses the benefits and challenges of using computer-mediated communication for mentoring purposes. It concludes with a discussion of how human resource development professionals can facilitate virtual mentoring in the global knowledge age. Key implications for HRD include using virtual mentoring as a lifelong education tool, educating mentors and protégés, supporting a multicultural workforce, and building knowledge.

Tailoring Mentoring for New Mathematics and Science Teachers: An Exploratory Study

“…(p. 214) Some current literature insists that a "partnership model" is the most effective of all types of mentoring. Bierema et al (2005) and Hansman (2002) each stress the need for mentoring to be a two-way process in which mentor and mentee learn from each other. Hargreaves et al (2003) emphasise that "the old model of mentoring, where experts who are certain about their craft can pass on its principles to eager novices, no longer applies."…”

“…Effective mentoring practice has indeed been known to reverse early induction deficits and to keep teachers far longer in the teaching profession (Hartsuyker, 2007;Martin, 2006;Moir, 2003). Of relevance to this paper also is recent research that highlights the gains in the use of virtual mentoring or e-mentoring (Simonsen, Leubeck, & Bice, 2009;Gareis & Nussbaum-Beach, 2007;Bierema & Hill, 2005;Goos, & Bennison, 2005;Kirk & Olinger, 2003;Schuck, 2003;Herrington, Herrington, & Omari (2000), or interactive chat sites and websites designed specifically to support new teachers, such as EdNA Online (2009), ENDAPT (2009), or BEST (Herrington et al, University of Wollongong, 2006).…”

Ensuring quality in online career mentoring

“…The Internet enables diverse modes of communication such as email, videoconferencing and various social media applications. Such communication technologies have been used for online mentoring (Bierema & Merriam, 2002) in a range of different contexts including workforce development (Bierema & Hill, 2005), entrepreneurial education (Perren, 2003), career development (Headlam-Wells, Gosland, & Craig, 2006) and learning development (Thompson, Jeffries, & Topping, 2010). The literature also shows that online mentoring has been extensively used for promoting social equity and educational advancement (Single & Single, 2005).…”

SeMatching: Using Semantics to Perform Pair Matching in Mentoring Processes

“…E-Mentoring provides flexibility and easy access, which is highly beneficial to those who may face barriers to being mentored, because of their gender, ethnicity, disability or geographical location [20]. Hamilton and Scandura [16] also analyze the advantages of e-Mentoring compared with t-Mentoring.…”