Rebecca Stimson of MVLRI, Dr. Jered Borup of George Mason University, and Julie Howe of Three Rivers High School discuss the research behind the influence of mentors on online learner success and highlight the successful mentor practices at Three Rivers High School in Three Rivers, Michigan.
4. Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
A Division of MVU
Presenters
Dr. Jered Borup
George Mason University
Julie Howe
Three Rivers High School
Rebecca Stimson
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
5. Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
A Division of MVU
Who is the player with the ball?
Why is he wearing the number 80?
6. Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
A Division of MVU
Why do online students drop out?
de la Varre et al. (2014) identified 5
reasons:
1. Scheduling and time constraints
2. Academic rigor and motivation
3. Technology problems
4. Lack of teacher immediacy
5. Parental influences
7. Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
A Division of MVU
On-site mentors have the potential
to lower attrition rates and increase
student achievement.
8. Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
A Division of MVU
F2F Instructional Responsibilities
Designer Teacher Mentor
9. Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
A Division of MVU
D
Online Instructional Responsibilities
Designer Teacher Mentor
T M
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A Division of MVU
T M
Online Team Roster
Teacher Mentor
S
Student
P
Parent
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A Division of MVU
T M
Full Team Roster
Teacher Mentor
S
Student
P
Parent
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A Division of MVU
T M
Full Team Roster
Teacher Mentor
S
Student
P
Parent
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A Division of MVU
T M
Full Team Roster
Teacher Mentor
S
Student
P
Parent
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A Division of MVU
T M
Full Team Roster
Teacher Mentor
S
Student
P
Parent
15. Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
A Division of MVU
The Student’s Perspective
Students should
recognize that they
have
1. online support
from their course
teacher,
2. at-school support
from their mentor,
and
3. at-home support
from their
parent/guardian.
Online
At
School
At
Home
T
Face-to-face
Virtual
16. Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
A Division of MVU
School A School B
School C School D
The Online Teacher’s Perspective
17. Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
A Division of MVU
T
Face-to-face
Virtual
The Parent’s Perspective
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A Division of MVU
Face-to-face
Virtual
The Mentor’s Perspective
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A Division of MVU
Face-to-face
Virtual
The Mentor’s Perspective
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A Division of MVU
Mentoring Responsibilities
Guide
N
“Help select courses
that are a good fit.”
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A Division of MVU
Mentoring Responsibilities
Coach
“[Mentors] may serve
as a coach to prepare
students for virtual
schooling” (Harms et al.,
2006)
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A Division of MVU
Mentoring Responsibilities
Coach
“assist students on a
daily basis on items
such as study skills,
social issues,
attendance, and
school events” (Wicks,
2010)
25. Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
A Division of MVU
Mentoring Responsibilities
Friend and Motivator
“can act as problem-
solver, mentor and
friend” (Harms et al., 2006)
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A Division of MVU
Mentoring Responsibilities
Friend and Motivator
“The key is having a
relationship with the
students. The students
have to trust you and
like you.”
27. Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
A Division of MVU
Mentoring Responsibilities
Friend and Motivator
“Being sympathetic
and encouraging –
especially with those
students who are not
doing well. Bringing
the human aspect into
the online world.”
28. Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
A Division of MVU
Mentoring Responsibilities
Track student progress
“Closely monitor
students and course
content, and ensure
students are engaged
in activities that
promote their
academic progress.”
29. Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
A Division of MVU
Mentoring Responsibilities
Communication Link
“provide a
communication link for
parents and
guardians” (Harms et al.,
2006)
30. Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
A Division of MVU
Mentoring Responsibilities
Manage Classroom Behavior
“An adult facilitator
who is responsible for
insuring that
everything is working
smoothly and order is
maintained” (Hannum et al.,
2008)
31. Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
A Division of MVU
Do mentors impact student
performance?
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A Division of MVU
Do mentors impact student
performance?
Students who have an assigned class
period to work were nearly 2x as likely
to pass their course than those who
didn’t have an assigned class period.
(Roblyer et al., 2008)
33. Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
A Division of MVU
Do mentors impact student
performance?
Mentors can have an especially high
impact on at-risk students with low
parental involvement. (Colorado Online
Learning, 2012; Ferdig, 2010; Pettyjohn, 2012; Wicks,
2012)
34. Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
A Division of MVU
Do mentors impact student
performance?
Students who have a trained mentor do
better than students who have an
untrained mentor. (Hannum et al., 2008; Staker,
2011)
35. Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
A Division of MVU
Do mentors impact student
performance?
“Facilitators are made, not born.”(Roblyer,
2006)
36. • 14 Mentors
• 10 Schools
• Various Structures
Mentor Case Studies:
Online Learner Support Models
37. Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
A Division of MVU
Michigan Mentor Model Demographics
Geographic
Location of
School
# of
Students
# of Mentors
Interviewed
Mentor
Gender
Years
Mentoring
Average
Number of
Mentored
Students
Suburban 1100 2
Female
Female
5
1
400
Urban 700 1 Female 1 140
Small Town 650 1 Male 2 100
Midsize Town 800 3
Female
Female
Male
6
2
2
400
Urban 700 1 Female 8 53
Suburban 900 1 Female 7 80
Small town 800 1 Male 6 300
Rural 470 2
Female
Male
1
1
55
Rural 1000 1 Male 2 70
Suburban 960 1 Male 12 50
39. End Products
• Profiles
• A mentor orientation
module
• Mentor Fundamentals:
A Guide for Mentoring
Online Learners
40. Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
A Division of MVU
Best Practice
• Connecting with students
• Communication with all interested parties
• Personalized support
• Mentor Training
• Ideal Mentor
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A Division of MVU
• Connect with your students
Best Practice: Connecting
• Establish a trusting
relationship
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A Division of MVU
• Excellent Communication:
All stakeholders including
online instructors,
parents, guidance
counselor, administration
and students
• Advocate and liaison
Best Practice: Communication
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A Division of MVU
• Multi-Tiered Systems of Support
• Collaboration with mentors,
counselors and administration
• Weekly mentor meetings
in PLCs, Professional
Learning Communities
Best Practice: Personalized Support
44. Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
A Division of MVU
Best Practice: Mentor Training
• Classroom environment and management
• Organizational skills, data collection and
maintaining accurate records
• Technology skills and resources
• Confidentiality (FERPA) and security
• Ensuring academic integrity/LanSchool
• Communication: Expectations, course
policies, school policies, and pacing
45. Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
A Division of MVU
Best Practice: Ideal Mentor
• Classroom experience at grade level
• Classroom management skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Personal experience with online learning
• Strong technology skills
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred
46. Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
A Division of MVU
• Mentor Fundamentals: A Guide for Mentoring
Online Learners
(https://micourses.org/resources/pdf/toolkit/
mentor_guide_14.pdf)
• Mentor Orientation Module (coming soon)
• Parent Guide to Online Learning
(http://media.mivu.org/institute/pdf/parentg
uide.pdf)
Mentor Resources
47. Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
A Division of MVU
• 21f Tool Kit resources
https://micourses.org/resources/21f_Tool_Kit.
html)
• http://learntech.gmu.edu/
• http://www.mrshowesclass.com/
Mentor Resources
49. Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
A Division of MVU
Contact
Dr. Jered Borup: jborup@gmu.edu
Julie Howe: jhowe@trschools.org
Rebecca Stimson: rstimson@mivu.org
50. Upcoming Webinar:
Date & Time:
Thursday, 1/15, 2pm Eastern Time
Topic:
Interim Research Findings on Schools Pursuing
Personalized Learning
Presenters:
John Pane, RAND Education