The emergence of e-mentoring
In the past 10 years, 25,000 students with difficulties in the schools affected by poverty have gotten guidance, encouragement and guidance of volunteer mentors. And they have not met face to face even once.
It could be, a New York-based nonprofit, uses Internet tools to connect students with those willing to lend a hand. It is one of a growing number of groups that specialize in what they call "e-mentoring."
The technology, of course, has existed for years. But the movement is beginning to find its balance in the working groups through various obstacles, such as ensuring the privacy and security and establish that there is, in fact, the value of such relationships online.
Kate Schrauth, executive director could be convinced. She says the digital tutoring, while somewhat limited, it has advantages for students who have grown up in the glow of a computer monitor.
"Today's children are digital natives," he said. "Your comfort level with building relationships online is through the roof What we found is that technology is a leveler - that children are afraid to ask (mentor) of the questions you really want to know:". How much money do? What is your typical day like? How many hours have to sit at a desk? "
"It's like, instead of sitting on the desk of someone who is older, someone who is of a different world than you. All these barriers disappear."
It could be was founded in 2000 by Adam Aberman, who had taught in schools in the city of New York and Los Angeles and has seen the need for additional guidance there.
The program, which works with hundreds of schools across the country, has been associated with the career-minded companies like E * Trade and Monster.com to provide a maximum of three guardians of each student.
Students in grades 7-12, spend at least an hour a week working with their mentors, who provide career guidance, information about college and other valuable tips from a distance.
"Children who at the beginning of the school year are literally hopeless - these are the children we begin to see significant improvements," said Schrauth. "The detached processes, from their own lives, even - these are children who do very spectacular."
It is an approach that has worked globally to Amy Stokes, one of 10 CNN Heroes of 2011.
CNN Hero: Amy Stokes
Stokes infinite family runs a program that brings hundreds of South African children with mentors from around the world. Using the video chat and other Web tools, mentors spend at least half an hour each week with children, many of whom have lost their parents due to HIV and AIDS.
"If none of the adults who care about has lived the last 35, then why do you think you can?" Stokes said earlier this year. "Why stay in school, why learn (with) so many children and few adults to help them grow, I knew we had to find a way to bring new information, resources and care, parenting effect of other adults in the life of (the) children. "
"A viable and effective option"
A group of researchers at Drexel University that could be used a program to study the effectiveness of online tutoring. The results, according to the study were very positive.
Online tutoring "can serve as an effective and viable option to the more traditional face-to-face model," the group wrote in the "Journal of vocational behavior" after surveying about 1,400 students.
"(T) that the evidence suggests that there are positive outcomes associated with e-mentoring," said the report. "As such, given the changing nature of current working conditions, organizations may try to implement e-mentoring programs as a cost-effective and timely with the traditional approach."
According to the study of Drexel, students already comfortable with computers tend to get more of the program. And students with the lowest degree of confidence at the beginning of the program saw the biggest gains.
Frank Linnehan, an associate dean of Drexel Lebow College of Business, co-author of the study and said he found no advantages and disadvantages of e-mentoring.
"The downside is that obviously you're not face to face," he said. "But the advantage is that you can connect with a mentor over very easily. You can connect with someone who can be 300 or 500 or 5,000 miles away."
One factor that may have constrained the wider adoption of online tutoring, especially children, safety concerns, Linnehan said. He and Schrauth both stated that it could be the program offers opportunities for real-time communication, but uses a program that allows the exchange of messages between the mentor and mentee. Property monitors software program for any potentially inadequate communication and allows users to pinpoint the location of each.
Online tutoring may not be as extensive as one might think of a time when social networks like Facebook, video chat tools such as online resources make Skype and other instant communication easier. But more examples are emerging.
MentorNet, which is touted as "the most experienced Web-based e-mentoring program in the world", provides mentors for women and minorities seeking careers in the field of engineering.
Linnehan said UNICEF is working on a program that links children in conflict zones with peers in similar situations elsewhere.
"We're not trying to replace a face to face methodology," said Schrauth. "That's a beautiful relationship, and it is very important. However, there are capacity problems. Only many children get to participate. The technology allows everyone to participate, on both the mentee and mentor to the side."
The emergence of e-mentoring
