Mentoring with social media
Posted on: March 25, 2016
I am working on a keynote address to illustrate the importance of taking advantage of social media for lifelong learning by social workers.
I learn with social media every day. But I had to ask myself if I had taught or mentored with social media. I have, both groups and individuals.
I am regarded by some as #edsg’s Yoda. That could mean that I am considered old, green, and wrinkled. It could also mean I dispense wisdoms in ways that cause foreheads to look like Yoda.
When I was head of an outfit at the National Institute of Education, I mentored my staff as they sensed and shared with Twitter, Diigo, and wikis (Google Sites).
Several years ago, I mentored someone I had never met using Facebook. I provided dissertation advice and reviews.
I also mentor individuals over Twitter DM. One of those DM sessions will evolve to a ‘live’ Google Hangout session with a group that wants to explore flipped learning.
A cursory scan of edu-Twitter will reveal that I am not the only one doing this. Remote teaching and mentoring not only increases reach, it is also more customisable and personalisable. It is no wonder that it is in-demand and on-demand.
We live in interesting times. I would like to see this cottage industry of remote mentoring grow to be a significant force in personalised education. That way I can add Remote Mentor to my CV without sounding pretentious.
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