Keynote given September 2012 in Istanbul at the aPLaNet launch conference

1. Mentoring teachers
using social networks
Graham Stanley
British Council, Barcelona
graham.stanley@britishcouncil.es
aPLaNet conference
22nd September 2012
Disclaimer: The aPLaNet project has been funded with
support from the European Commission. This document
reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission
cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made
of the information contained therein.

2. about aPLaNet
The aPLaNet project is a European Union funded
project for language educators all over the
Europe, especially those who are new or do not use
Internet social networks (SN) but wish to learn
more and build their own Personal Learning
Network (PLN) for professional development
purposes.
Find out more here:
http://aplanet-project.eu
Disclaimer: The aPLaNet project has been funded with support from the
European Commission. This document reflects the views only
of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use
which may be made of the information contained therein.

3. What is a mentor?
Originally a Greek word, originating from the name of a character in Homer's
Odyssey who acts as a guide to Telemachus in his quest to find his father
Disclaimer: The aPLaNet project has been funded with
support from the European Commission. This document
reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission
cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made
of the information contained therein.

4. What is a mentor?
“...one who fulfils the office which the
supposed Mentor fulfilled towards
Telemachus”
“an experienced and trusted advisor”
(Oxford English dictionary)
Mentor vs Teacher vs Coach?
Disclaimer: The aPLaNet project has been funded with
support from the European Commission. This document
reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission
cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made
of the information contained therein.

5. Mentor vs Teacher vs Coach
'Unlike a teacher or even a coach, who is
focused on helping us learn and practice a
particular set of skills, a mentor acts as a guide
who helps us define and understand our own
goals and pursue them successfully.'
(The Mentee's Guide, L. Zachary, 2009)
http://www.esn-vuniverse.nl/

6. The role of the mentor
In language teaching
http://www.flickr.com/photos/arielmeow/242479595
9/
Disclaimer: The aPLaNet project has been funded with
support from the European Commission. This document
reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission
cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made
of the information contained therein.

7. Good mentoring...
...depends on a reciprocal learning
relationship
...involves establishing rapport rapidly
...is founded on mutually defined goals
...requires skill in noticing and interpreting
teaching and learning opportunities
...encourages autonomous learning and self-
evaluation
...is able to link theory and practice in
personally significant ways
Disclaimer: The aPLaNet project has been funded with
support from the European Commission. This document
reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission
cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made
of the information contained therein.

8. The mentor's tasks
to facilitate the development of self-awareness in
mentees
to build confidence of the mentees
to observe and notice aspects of learning and
teaching events
to respond appropriately to these events
to encourage the mentee to engage in reflective
practice
Disclaimer: The aPLaNet project has been funded with
support from the European Commission. This document
reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission
cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made
of the information contained therein.

9. aPLaNet mentor
Helping mentees with learning technology
Online mentoring not face-to-face
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pacensepatoso/4287743871/
Disclaimer: The aPLaNet project has been funded with
support from the European Commission. This document
reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission
cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made
of the information contained therein.

10. Factors to consider
Choice of ICT tools for communication
comfortable - competent
Use of tools to build rapport and
promote and facilitate learning
Level of commitment from the beginning
easier to back out of an e-relationship
potential for miscommunication
people are easily distracted online
Disclaimer: The aPLaNet project has been funded with
support from the European Commission. This document
reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission
cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made
of the information contained therein.

11. APLaNet Mentoring pilot
85 volunteer mentors
from 24 countries
61 mentees
from 16 countries

12. Feedback
Disclaimer: The aPLaNet project has been funded with
support from the European Commission. This document
reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission
cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made
of the information contained therein.

13. APLaNet Online Mentoring resources
aPLaNet Mentor/Mentee Guides
http://aplanet-project.org