GEN: Virtual mentors 1996

["JOY MCGREGOR F_MCGREGOR@TWU.EDU" <f_mcgregor@VENUS.TWU.EDU>]

For the past two years, I've set up a virtual mentoring program
with a fall semester class at TWU (Librarians as Instructional
Partners). I'm looking for people again to serve as virtual mentors
for a class of library school students preparing to be school
librarians. Since we're talking about partnerships, forming a
partnership on-line could be a valuable experience and having
a real practitioner to bounce ideas off will help ground theory
in reality.

Previously this mentorship has involved only one assignment.  This
year, I'd like to expand the experience to a full semester, with
the same assignment as a key element, but with ongoing mentoring
taking place throughout the semester (and perhaps beyond that,
depending on the kind of relationship that develops--that would be
up to the individuals involved).

At the beginning of the semester, the class will discuss what could
be expected from a mentoring situation. Then they will determine
their own personal expectations based on their own needs and the
constraints of the situation--how busy practitioners are, access
to computers and e-mail, etc.--and read the introductions you
provide. They will then choose mentors and contact them to introduce
themselves.

The main involvement would be the assignment which requires them
to discuss with their virtual partner some educational issues that
impact resource-based learning and the entire school library program.
The mentor's task will be to provide a real-world scenario of what
is happening or could happen.  The students are determining what
the issues are by examining journals directed at teachers,
administrators, and school librarians.  There is no other assignment
specifically requiring them to discuss something else with their
partners, but they will be encouraged to maintain a conversation
with the virtual mentor about any elements of the class that they
find puzzling, intriguing, frightening, challenging, etc.

The reason I want to expand this experience this year beyond the
one assignment is because some mentors in the past have provided
ongoing input beyond the single assignment and have greatly
enriched the educational experience of those lucky students. It
seemed like a worthwhile experience for everyone.

If you are a media specialist in a flexibly scheduled library, or
one who is working towards that goal, and if curriculum-integrated,
cooperatively planned resource-based learning is a priority with
you, I'd love to hear from you.  I will let the students choose
their mentors from among the volunteers, based on similar grade
levels, types of schools, or anything else that appeals to them.
Please tell me something about yourself, your school, your school
district, your students, and your library when you respond.
That will give them some facts on which to base their choices.
The first class meets on Aug. 27.  I'd like to introduce you
to them that day.  You could expect to hear from them within
the next week, introducing themselves and letting you know what
they need or expect from the mentoring experience. Some students
will have only weekly access to the internet so responses might
not be instantaneous.

Thank you to all of you!  I know you'll once again provide wonderful
stimulation for the students' thinking.

Joy McGregor
f_mcgregor@twu.edu
School of Library and Information Studies
Texas Woman's University