E-mentoring in Online Course Projects: Description of an E-Mentoring Scheme

Abstract

This article describes the structure and process of an e-mentoring scheme designed as an applied learning component within a final curriculum course in an online Master's degree at a Midwestern U.S. University. The e-mentoring-based course culminated the online degree program and was meant to encapsulate learning through subject matter skill application. Both the course and the e-mentoring took place in an electronic environment. In this final course, each student engaged in an individual project drawing upon skills and knowledge learned online and applied in a real world context. Student projects were individually designed, planned and executed outside of the electronic setting, within host organizations. E-mentors were paired with students to guide the progress of individual projects. The e-mentoring scheme utilized component parts found within the literature, and incorporated newly created component parts. Based on end-of-course indicators, student achievement, e-mentor retention, and course expansion were outcomes of the e-mentoring scheme. The e-mentoring scheme described in the current paper may serve to complement the development of best practices in online leaning or to serve as a benchmark for future e-mentoring designs in online learning environments and in other electronic educational settings.