1. Mentor’s Guideposts
An Online Mentor’s Guide to eLearning.
Mentor’s Guideposts is an online resource and support center for Mentor/Teachers of The Online Academy at George Mason University. This virtual high school embraces the concept of one-on-one mentoring for every Mentee/Student in every distance learning course.
Mission Statement:
This website serves as a progressively evolving support site to assist teachers who serve as online mentors for The Online Academy. Mentors are the primary contact with our students and frequently must embrace challenges that extend beyond a typical classroom learning environment. This site seeks to serve as guidance to our mentors and as a focal point for developing Best-Practices in Online Mentoring that would benefit the entire education community.
Summary of Components
● Building & Developing Online Relationships
● Phases of an Online Relationship
● One-on-One Mentoring
● Mentor Roles & Mentor Objectives
● The ART of Mentoring
● Communication Skills & Netiquette
● Ethical & Legal Issues
● Problem Discussion & Resolution

2. Building & Developing Online Relationships
The Nature of Relationships ~ This section will look at the basics of establishing , developing and nurturing relationships via electronic communications. This topic which is complicated in a face-to-face environment, is considerably more complex without benefit of its usual visual component.
Description/elaboration of the component : In this section we will cover the basics of relationship building by providing specific topical segments that elaborate on that particular aspect. The cover page for this segment will in essence serve as a menu document that guides the reader to the most pertinent area based on Mentor need.
Access to video segments that illustrate appropriate techniques in the face-to-face environment will then discuss ways that similar outcomes may be achieved in the online environment.
Pre-developed Checklists that carefully guide a mentor to ensure comprehensive coverage.
Discussions and PowerPoint units that illustrate problem resolution techniques

3. Phases of an Online Relationship
Phases of a Mentor/Mentee Relationship ~ Reviews the four phases of mentoring as described by Lois J. Zachary, Ed.D., who has classified all mentoring relationships as being composed of four sequential phases: preparing, negotiating, enabling, and coming to closure.
Description/elaboration of the component : In this section, will also serve as a primary page that directs the reader to the appropriate section to review. Specific emphasis is placed on developing and maintaining trust throughout the length of the relationship.
Access to video segments that illustrate appropriate techniques.
Pre-developed Checklists that carefully guide a mentor to ensure comprehensive coverage.
Discussions and PowerPoint units that illustrate problem resolution techniques

4. One-on-One Mentoring
The One-on-One Mentoring Concept ~ As utilized at The Online Academy, the mentor prepares to teach a classroom of one via a distance learning format.
Description/elaboration of the component : All individual sections begin with a primary page that serves as a primary link to relevant information for that segment. It is felt that this methodology will make it easier for mentors to access and best relate to the most relevant information or data required.
Access to video segments that illustrate appropriate techniques.
Pre-developed Checklists that carefully guide a mentor to ensure comprehensive coverage.
Discussions and PowerPoint units that illustrate problem resolution techniques

5. Mentor Roles & Mentor Objectives
Defining the Role by Objectives ~ One-on-One relationships can be confusing with respect to interpersonal identity. In this segment we seek to help mentors clarify what their role is or is not. As mentors certain roles need to be avoided.
Description/elaboration of the component : This section, will also serve as a primary page that directs the reader to the appropriate section to review. Definition of a mentor’s role based on objectives (or learning goals) helps establish ground rules for interaction. Special emphasis and guidance must emphasize that…
A mentor is not any of the following –
A parent/legal guardian. The role of the parent/guardian is to provide food, shelter and clothing. A mentor does not fulfill these responsibilities.
A social worker. A social worker is a licensed professional with skills and training to assist in family issues. A mentor shouldn't attempt to solve family problems.
A psychologist. A mentor isn't a formal "counselor" or therapist.
Access to video segments that illustrate appropriate techniques.
Pre-developed Checklists that carefully guide a mentor to ensure comprehensive coverage.
Discussions and PowerPoint units that illustrate problem resolution techniques

6. The ART of Mentoring
The ART of Mentoring focuses on the principle vehicle of interactive communication… the exchanges. ~ This section focuses on the techniques utilized to effectively interpret these communications via appropriate assessment, responding, and targeting.
Description/elaboration of the component : This section, will also serve as a primary page that directs the reader to the appropriate section to review. Online mentoring involves the promotion of content learning and conceptual understanding, supporting self-regulation and self-efficacy, tailoring learning to individual learning goals, and building personal and interpersonal relationships.
Access to video segments that illustrate appropriate techniques.
Pre-developed Checklists that carefully guide a mentor to ensure comprehensive coverage.
Discussions and PowerPoint units that illustrate problem resolution techniques
Discussion Forums and blogs for Mentors to enhance communications and provide peer-to-peer support.

7. Communication Skills & Netiquette
Reviews effective Communication Skill Sets and appropriate Etiquette on the internet ~ Various segments on communication skill enhancement such as Active Listening, Paraphrasing, using Open-ended Questions, and “I” Messages are excellent review segments for all mentors.
Description/elaboration of the component : This section, will also serve as a primary page that directs the reader to the appropriate section to review.
Access to video segments that illustrate appropriate techniques.
Pre-developed Checklists that carefully guide a mentor to ensure comprehensive coverage.
Discussions and PowerPoint units that illustrate problem resolution techniques

8. Ethical & Legal Issues
Provides Guidance and Resources based on Ethical or Legal Issues ~ segments will illustrate established and contemporary issues in this arena, as well as reference links for mentors to access whenever questions arise.
Description/elaboration of the component : This section, will also serve as a primary page that directs the reader to the appropriate section to review.
Access to video segments that illustrate appropriate techniques.
Pre-developed Checklists that carefully guide a mentor to ensure comprehensive coverage.
Discussions and PowerPoint units that illustrate problem resolution techniques

9. Problem Discussion & Resolution
FAQs on Commonly Occurring Issues and Recommended Resolutions ~ also provides a monitored discussion forum where other mentors can exchange peer-to-peer discussions and recommendations. This site will also include an Ask-the-Experts section which would transmit questions to designated Academy personnel.
Description/elaboration of the component : This section, will also serve as a primary page that directs the reader to the appropriate section to review.
Access to video segments that illustrate appropriate techniques.
Pre-developed Checklists that carefully guide a mentor to ensure comprehensive coverage.
Discussions and PowerPoint units that illustrate problem resolution techniques

10. Summary of Recommended Mentor’s Resource Website
This website would be available for all active, veteran and potential mentors as a central information and support resource. It would contain the most current and potentially relevant information for Mentor/Teachers.
The website would be updated at minimum on a quarterly basis and would require designated personnel to provide support or professional guidance on an as-needed basis. Thus an effective response mechanism must be established.
As noted above, content relevant issues must be reviewed and updated at minimum on a quarterly basis.