Mentor Support
Mentor Support
We recognize that an entire community support a student in their goals and endeavours. Student support can come from parents, caregivers, instructors, friends, elders, counsellors, community members, funding agencies, and the list goes on. Although being prepared for learning online is important, the most critical factor for success is SUPPORT.
Mentor Roles and supporting learning at home for K-9 students
All elementary and middle years students require a mentor to assist and support learning.
The Mentor role may be filled by a parent, grandparent, a relative or other caregiver. This role is critical to successful learning.The mentor is the person that will collaborate with the teacher and student in setting up connections and accessing the learning activities.The mentor at home supports learning by setting up a learning space, setting schedules (and keeping them), making sure that students have the materials necessary for completing assignments, and making daily plans. The mentor helps children to understand activities, offers encouragement and ensures that assignments are sent. Mentors also help with messages and communication with the teacher. In order to support learning, an important thing to remember is that it is not about the assignments or activities, it is about the child. Emotional growth, responsibility, ownership for their own learning and finding their own motivation for learning are important aspects in how we approach the process.
Mentor Roles and supporting online learning for high school students
Mentoring an online High School student is all about encouragement and support. Parents, teachers, peers family members can all offer support and encouragement in different ways. A mentor sits down regularly with the student while they are logged in to review progress, help with lessons, or help set short and long term learning goals. A regular opportunity to share learning with someone else helps to boost confidence.
Family members can assist online high school students with the following:
1. Scheduled time.
Choose a time during the day that works for everyone. Understanding that this time is a “quiet” study time in the household will go a long way in helping the student to focus. Posting a schedule in a prominent location (often the kitchen fridge) is a great reminder for everyone in the house.
2. Eliminate distractions
A location away from activity and distractions like television, gaming systems and general household traffic will improve the ability to concentrate. Encourage students to turn off phone notifications during dedicated study time. Respecting the need for a regular routine without distractions in the home environment can be one of the more important success factors.
3. Communication is key
Contact the teacher regularly just to check in and provide an update of study plans. (“I’m working on the first 3 lessons in Unit 2 this week.) Mentors can help to facilitate communication with the teacher
4. Organize your work
Keep drafts, completed assignments and projects in folders that correspond with units of study. This will be useful in finding material. Mentors can help students organized their work into folders on their devices, and encourage saving work to a folder structure.
5. Ask for help
When something doesn’t work, if instructions need clarification, or you just don’t know where to begin, send a “shout-out” to the teacher. Mentors can offer suggestions and often offer assistance with sorting out instructions. A mentor can encourage contact with teachers when students are “hitting a wall” with an activity.
6. Stick with your schedule.
Encouragement and support in sticking to a regular routine and moving forward with learning goals can make a big difference for young learners who might otherwise put things off until later.
7. Never give up