The Benefits of Online Mentoring

The leading edge of online mentorship

Are you an online mentor, or maybe your interest lies in being mentored online? Either way, this article is for you.

"What are the benefits of online mentoring?"

Online mentoring is growing daily, all around the world. There are a rapidly increasing number of online mentors and people mentored online, because the use of the Internet continues to expand, globally. There are problems that arise with respect to Internet. Even computer technicians and web designers are not exempt from computer issues. Rather than delve into those, look at the benefits of being or having an online mentor.

A degree of anonymity allows a long distance relationship.

Working as an online mentor allows you access to the person you are mentoring, but in a less personal way. This can work to your advantage, because you are less likely to get personally involved, when you are mentoring someone or being mentored. This can be appropriate for those who do not like to work too closely with others.

You work at your own speed.

Working at your own speed, whether you are the mentor or the one mentored, can be to your advantage. Few people work exactly the same way or at the same pace, so being able to work at your own pace is important.

There are fewer distractions and interruptions.

When you mentor online or are being mentored online, you can avoid unnecessary interruptions that occur in a classroom setting. You can work together on a one-to-one basis for a designated period of time or if you prefer to do so, you can go online or offline, when it is appropriate. A problem can arise if there are difficulties at home or if there are interruptions that occur on the Internet. Other technical computer issues can also arise. Having appropriate computer skills is important for both the mentor and the person being mentored.

There is access to resource material through search engines.

When you are mentoring online or being mentored, should a question arise, it is possible for either person to access resource information through search engines, without breaking their Internet connection. A word of caution is in order too, because sometimes, search engines can lead a person doing research, in a different direction. This can be good under the right circumstances, but less than ideal, at other times.

Files can be transferred between the mentor and the person being mentored.

Because files can be created, saved and transferred quickly, the mentor has advantages. It is possible to assess how the person mentored is doing academically. It is also easy to test that person. A certain level of skill is required in order to be able to do that properly, but it is beneficial, as the person mentored can receive an online response, rather than having to wait for papers to be marked and returned.

There is Instant access to literary tools.

Having access to literary tools on computers is beneficial to both the mentor and the person mentored. For example, a spell check device can solve spelling issues. A thesaurus is useful to those who are writing for publication. Calculators can resolve mathematical issues. Conversion calculators can clarify global, financial issues. Immediate documentation is available, as files can be printed out or saved for future reference.

A mentor and the person being mentored can have contact twenty four hours a day.

E-mail contact is important for mentors and those they mentor. It is possible to make almost immediate contact with the other person, regardless of where he or she lives. On the Internet, contact can be made twenty four hours per day. Computer telephones and voice mail are beneficial, in this respect.

These are just a few of the many benefits of online mentoring. As computer technology continues to improve over the next few decades, the number of benefits will continue to increase.

If you are not an online mentor and would like to become one, it is not difficult to start. If you are a mentor, kudos to you. You are on the leading edge of mentorship, in the twenty first century.