This document discusses virtual mentoring and how it can help students succeed in online learning. It outlines several key steps for virtual mentors: 1) Understanding their role in student success which includes being an ambassador, coach, mentor, counselor and organizer. 2) Getting to know their students well. 3) Providing orientation and assisting with student transitions. 4) Maintaining frequent communication with students using various tools. 5) Implementing appropriate interventions like checking grades/pace, communicating with teachers, and involving guardians. The overall message is that virtual mentoring can pave a path for student success in K-12 online learning.

1. Virtual Mentoring:
A Path to Student Success
PETE&C 2013
Eric Lech DiahannSnisky

2. What do we know about
K-12 Online Learning?
• Myths vs. Facts
– http://m.socrative.com
– Socrative Student App
– Room number: iu21lech
• Have we made assumptions about our
online students that are not true?

3. A Pathway to Success
1. Know your role in student success
2. Get to know your students
3. Orientation and/or transition
4. Frequent communication
5. Appropriate Interventions

4. Knowing your role
• Who is a virtual mentor?
– Ambassador
– Coach
– Mentor
– Counselor
– Organizer
• “What it takes to be an online mentor,” Education Development Center,
Inc. (2004)

5. Preparing Students for Success
• Knowing your students
• Welcome your students
• Orientation
• Transition

6. Communication Tools

7. Fostering Success
• Grade & pace checks
• Communication with teachers
• Schedule planning
• Supervised work time
• Guardian involvement

8. Discussion/Questions
Don’t settle for a spark, light a fire instead.

9. Thank you
• Eric Lech
– Carbon Lehigh IU 21
– @elech
• DiahannSnisky
– Carbon Lehigh IU 21
– @deeoyea