The Use of Ict Tools in E-Mentoring: A Case Study

Abstract

This is a case study designed with qualitative research pattern. It investigated the use of information and communication technologies in the e-mentoring process. The study group consisted of 44 undergraduate students as mentees and 8 graduate students as mentors. The program was carried out in group mentoring model in which graduate students were appointed as e-mentors for the undergraduate students for developing multimedia projects. The study data were collected using the project reports prepared by mentors and mentee groups, system logs of the interaction areas, observational notes of the researcher, and written forms seeking opinions of the mentees about the process. The data collected with different instruments were analysed with separate content analysis. It was found out that e-mail, social networking, phone conversations, SMS, instant mobile messaging applications, online storage, online documents, blog, LMS and teleconference technologies were utilized to provide interaction in the e-mentoring process. Among those, instant messaging and social networking sites proved the most effectively used ones, which the participants are also accustomed to in their daily lives. Most of the participants found the ICT tools used sufficient for interaction in the process. Still, some mentors and mentees stated that face-to-face interactions should also take place in the e-mentoring process.