Enhancing Professional Growth: Effective Mentorship Strategies in an Open Distance e-Learning Institution

NtandokaMenzi Dlamini, Lina Methi, Themba Ralph Mkhize, Thulani Andrew Chauke

Abstract


The effective mentorship programme in Open Distance e-Learning (ODeL) is fundamental in ensuring that mentees are equipped with the necessary academic skills to flourish in an academic discursive setting. This study explores the effective strategies that can be employed by mentors in Open Distance e-Learning to intensify and strengthen mentees' professional growth. The study will be guided by a qualitative research method using a phenomenological research design.  The present study uses semi-structured interviews to collect data. Significantly, the population for the study consists of academic seniors and new junior academics. Ultimately, purposive and snowball sampling was employed to sample 15 mentors and 15 mentees in an Open Distance e-Learning institution. Thematic analysis was adopted to analyse the collected data. Ethical considerations such as informed consent, privacy, confidentiality, and voluntary participation will be followed in the present study. The study will adopt the positive psychology approach to gain insights into the working relations between mentors and mentees. 

https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.23.11.3



Keywords


mentoring, mentorship, mentor, mentee, Open Distance e-Learning

Full Text:

PDF

References


Ainsworth, Q. (2021). Data collection methods. https://www.jotform.com/data-collection-methods

Ary, D., Jacobs, L. C., Razavieh, A., & Sorensen, C. (2014). Introduction to research in Education. Wadsworth (8th ed). http://repository.unmas.ac.id/medias/journal/EBK-00124.pdf

Bailey, S. F., Voiles, E. C., Finkelstein, L., & Matarazzo, K. (2016). Who Is Your Ideal Mentor? An exploratory study of mentor prototypes. Career Development International, 21(2), 160–175. https://doi.org/10.1108/CDI-08-2014-0116

Bakker, A. B., & Schaufeli, W. B. (2008). Positive organizational behaviour: Engaged employees in flourishing organizations. The International Journal of Industrial, Occupational and Organizational Psychology and Behaviour, 29(2), 147–154. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.515

Brannagan, K. B., & Oriol, M. (2014). A model for orientation and mentoring of online adjunct faculty in nursing. Nursing Education Perspectives, 35(2), 128–130. https://doi.org/10.5480/1536-5026-35.2.128

Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2018). Research Methods in Education (8th ed.). Routledge. https://books.google.co.za/books/about/Research_Methods_in_Education.html?id=uMI5vgAACAAJ&redir_esc=y

Darwin, A., & E. Palmer (2009). Mentoring circles in higher education. Higher Education Research and Development, 28(2): 125–136. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360902725017

Dhunpath, R., Matisonn, H., & Samuel, M. (2018). Towards a model of mentoring in South African higher education. Alternation Journal, 25(2), 78-105. https://doi.org/10.29086/2519-5476/2018/v25n2a4

Duckworth, A. L., Steen, T. A., & Seligman, M. E. (2005). Positive psychology in clinical practice. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 1(1), 629–651. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.clinpsy.1.102803.144154

Dutton, J.E., & Glynn, M.A. (2008). Positive Organizational Scholarship. In J. Barling and C. Cooper (Eds.), The SAGE handbook of organizational behavior: Volume 1: Micro Approaches (pp. 693-712). Thousand Oaks: Sage.

Flick, U. (2018). An introduction to qualitative research. (6th ed.) SAGE Publications. https://books.google.co.za/books/about/An_Introduction_to_Qualitative_Research.html?id=P7ZkDwAAQBAJ&redir_esc=y

Froman, L. (2010). Positive psychology in the workplace. Journal of Adult Development, 17(2), 59–69. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10804-009-9080-0

Gamage, K. A. A., Perera, D. A. S., & Wijewardena, M. A. D. N. (2021). Mentoring and coaching as a learning technique in higher education: The impact of learning context on student engagement in online learning. Education Sciences, 11(10), 574. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci11100574

Goerisch, D., Basiliere, J., Rosener, A., McKee, K., Hunt, J., & Parker, T. M. (2019). Mentoring with: reimagining mentoring across the university. Gender, Place & Culture, 26(12): 1740–1758. https://doi.org/10.1080/0966369X.2019.1668752

Goosen, L., & Van Heerden, D. (2019). Student support for information and communication technology modules in open distance environments: Towards self-directed learning. In M. van Wyk (Ed.), Student support toward self-directed learning in open and distributed environments (pp. 26-58). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-5225-9316-4.ch002

Gordon, K. (2019). The influence of mentoring relationships on the professional development of in-service distance education students. Master’s Dissertation, University of Pretoria. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/71690

Griffith, G. R., & Mullen, G. R. (2016). Using continuous improvement and innovation principles for strategic planning in a government department. Australasian Agribusiness Perspectives, 1-13. https://www.agrifood.info/perspectives/2016/Griffith_Mullen.pdf

Griffiths, K., Kopanidis, F., & Steel, M. (2018). Investigating the value of a peer-to-peer mentoring experience. Australasian Marketing Journal, 26(2): 92–98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ausmj.2018.05.006

Hakro, A. N., & Mathew, P. (2020). Coaching and mentoring in higher education institutions: A case study in Oman. International Journal of Mentoring and Coaching in Education, 9(3), 307–322. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMCE-05-2019-0060

Hill, S. E., Ward, W. L., Seay, A., & Buzenski, J. (2022). The Nature and Evolution of the Mentoring Relationship in Academic Health Centers. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings; 29(3): 557–569. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-022-09893-6

Ibukunolu, A.A. (2017). Mentorship and career growth of junior faculty in the University of Ibadan. Journal of Teaching and Education. 7(1): 419–428. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329428607_MENTORING_AND_CAREER_GROWTH_OF_JUNIOR_FACULTY_IN_THE_UNIVERSITY_OF_IBADAN

Joe, M. B., Cusano, A., Leckie, J., Czuczman, N., Exner, K., Yong, H., Ruzycki, S., & Lithgow, K. (2023). Mentorship Programs in Residency: A Scoping Review. Journal of Graduate Medical Education, 15(2), 190–200. https://doi.org/10.4300/JGME-D-22-00415.1

Johnson, W.B. (2015). On being a mentor: A guide for higher education faculty. (2nd ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315669120

Kivunja, C., & Kuyini, A. B. (2017). Understanding and applying research paradigms in educational contexts. International Journal of Higher Education, 6(5), 26–41. https://doi.org/10.5430/ijhe.v6n5p26

Ko, I., & Donaldson, S. I. (2011). Applied positive organizational psychology: The state of the science and practice. In S. I. Donaldson, M. Csikszentmihalyi, & J. Nakamura (Eds.), Applied positive psychology: Improving everyday life, health, schools, work, and society (pp. 137–154). Routledge. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267338490_Ko_I_Donaldson_SI_2011_Applied_positive_organizational_psychology_The_state_of_the_science_and_practice_In_SI_Donaldson_M_Csikszentmihalyi_J_Nakamura_Eds_Applied_positive_psychology_Improving_everyday

Laakasuo, M., Rotkirch, A., Van Duijn, M., Berg, V., Jokela, M., David-Barrett, T., Miettinen, A., Pearce, E., & Dunbar, R. (2020). Homophily in personality enhances group success among real-life friends. Frontier Psychology. 11, 710. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00710

Lim, W. M. (2024). What Is Qualitative Research? An Overview and Guidelines. Australasian Marketing Journal, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/14413582241264619

Litchman, M. (2023). Qualitative Research in Education. (3rd ed.) SAGE Publications. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003281917

Luthans, F., & Avolio, B. J. (2009). The “point” of positive organizational behaviour. Journal of Organizational Behaviour: The International Journal of Industrial, Occupational and Organizational Psychology and Behaviour, 30(2), 291–307. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.589

Mantai, L., & Marrone, M. (2023). Academic career progression from early career researcher to professor: What can we learn from job ads? Studies in Higher Education, 48(6), 797–812. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2023.2167974

McCombes, S. (2021). An introduction to sampling methods. Scribbr. https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/sampling

Merga, M. K., & Mason, S. (2021). Mentor and peer support for early career researchers sharing research with academia and beyond. Heliyon, 7(2). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06172

Mgaiwa, S., & Kapinga, O. (2021). Mentorship of early career academics in Tanzania: Issues and implications for the next generation of academics. Higher Education Pedagogies, 6(1), 114–134. https://doi.org/10.1080/23752696.2021.1904433

Nabi, G., Walmsley, A., Mir, M., & Osman, S. (2024). The impact of mentoring in higher education on student career development: a systematic review and research agenda. Studies in Higher Education, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2024.2354894

Nakanjako, D., Byakika-Kibwika, P., Kintu, K., Aizire, J., Nakwagala, F., Luzige, S., Namisi, C., Mayanja-Kizza, H., & Kamya, M. R. (2011). Mentorship needs at academic institutions in resource-limited settings: a survey at Makerere University College of Health Sciences. BMC Medical Education, 11(1), 53. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6920-11-53

Ngubane-Mokiwa, S., & Letseka, M. (2015). Shift from open distance learning to open distance e-learning. In: Open Distance Learning (ODL) in South Africa. (1st ed., pp. 1-27) Nova Science Publishers. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/269875807_Shift_from_Open_Distance_Learning_to_Open_Distance_e-Learning

Okon, A. E., Owan, V. J., & Owan, M. V. (2022). Mentorship practices and research productivity among early-career educational psychologists in universities. Educational Process: International Journal, 11(1), 105-126. https://doi.org/10.22521/edupij.2022.111.8

Padilla-Diaz, M. (2015). Phenomenology in educational qualitative research: Philosophy as science or philosophical science. International Journal of Educational Excellence, 1(2), 101–110. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/1c75/935d3682047beb9723ce467a136b8456e794.pdf

Pololi, L. H., & Evans, A. T. (2015). Group peer mentoring: An answer to the faculty mentoring problem? A successful program at a large academic department of medicine. Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions, 35(3): 192–200. https://doi.org/10.1002/chp.21296

Rahi, S. (2017). Research design and methods: A systematic review of research paradigms, sampling issues and instrument development. International Journal of Economics and Management Sciences, 6(2), 403. https://doi.org/10.4172/2162-6359.1000403

Rinfret, S. R., Young, S. L., & McDonald, B. D. (2023). The importance of mentorship in higher education: An introduction to the symposium. Journal of Public Affairs Education, 29(4), 398–403. https://doi.org/10.1080/15236803.2023.2260947

Schriever, V., & Grainger, P. (2019). Mentoring an early career researcher: insider perspectives from the mentee and mentor. Reflective Practice, 20:(6), 720-731. https://doi.org/10.1080/14623943.2019.1674272

Seligman, M. E., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2014). Positive psychology: An introduction. In Flow and the foundations of positive psychology (pp. 279–298). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.5

Tan??, H., & Barker, I. (2017). E-mentoring at a distance: An approach to support professional development in workplaces. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education. 18(3), 135–155. https://doi.org/10.17718/tojde.328944

Wentzel, V. D. (2016). Primary teachers’ experiences of providing learning support for learners with mild intellectual disabilities [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. University of South Africa. Retrieved from https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/79171111.pdf

Wild, L., Canale, A. M., & Herdklotz, C. (2017). The power of many: Mentoring networks for growth and development. College and University, 92(2), 37–41. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1145735


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


e-ISSN: 1694-2116

p-ISSN: 1694-2493