Mentoring Experiences of New Online Teachers: Voices of Graduate and Early Career Instructors

This research study explores the mentoring experiences of graduate student and early career instructors who teach online courses at a mid-size public university in the United States. As members of a centralized online learning unit that works with instructors teaching online courses across a range...

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Main Authors: Heather Garcia, Mary Ellen Dello Stritto
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of Calgary 2024-10-01
Series:Teaching & Learning Inquiry: The ISSOTL Journal
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Online Access:https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/TLI/article/view/78804
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author Heather Garcia
Mary Ellen Dello Stritto
author_facet Heather Garcia
Mary Ellen Dello Stritto
author_sort Heather Garcia
collection DOAJ
description This research study explores the mentoring experiences of graduate student and early career instructors who teach online courses at a mid-size public university in the United States. As members of a centralized online learning unit that works with instructors teaching online courses across a range of disciplines, we sought to better understand the mentoring experiences of instructors who are new to online teaching. Using a narrative methodology, we analyzed interview transcripts and found that graduate student and early career instructors have variable access to mentoring, experience different sources of mentoring, and engage with multiple types of mentoring. We found that graduate student instructors have more access to different sources and types of mentoring than early career instructors, but that both groups desired additional mentoring opportunities. Participants recognized the value of mentoring experiences as part of their overall professional development. We conclude with suggested actions for units looking to support mentoring for online instructors.
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series Teaching & Learning Inquiry: The ISSOTL Journal
spelling doaj-art-9d5fe588f03b400e824ecd4fc09e966a2025-08-20T02:12:14ZengUniversity of CalgaryTeaching & Learning Inquiry: The ISSOTL Journal2167-47792167-47872024-10-011210.20343/teachlearninqu.12.28Mentoring Experiences of New Online Teachers: Voices of Graduate and Early Career InstructorsHeather Garcia0Mary Ellen Dello Stritto1Oregon State University - EcampusOregon State University - Ecampus This research study explores the mentoring experiences of graduate student and early career instructors who teach online courses at a mid-size public university in the United States. As members of a centralized online learning unit that works with instructors teaching online courses across a range of disciplines, we sought to better understand the mentoring experiences of instructors who are new to online teaching. Using a narrative methodology, we analyzed interview transcripts and found that graduate student and early career instructors have variable access to mentoring, experience different sources of mentoring, and engage with multiple types of mentoring. We found that graduate student instructors have more access to different sources and types of mentoring than early career instructors, but that both groups desired additional mentoring opportunities. Participants recognized the value of mentoring experiences as part of their overall professional development. We conclude with suggested actions for units looking to support mentoring for online instructors. https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/TLI/article/view/78804mentoring online instructorsprofessional developmenthigher education
spellingShingle Heather Garcia
Mary Ellen Dello Stritto
Mentoring Experiences of New Online Teachers: Voices of Graduate and Early Career Instructors
Teaching & Learning Inquiry: The ISSOTL Journal
mentoring
online instructors
professional development
higher education
title Mentoring Experiences of New Online Teachers: Voices of Graduate and Early Career Instructors
title_full Mentoring Experiences of New Online Teachers: Voices of Graduate and Early Career Instructors
title_fullStr Mentoring Experiences of New Online Teachers: Voices of Graduate and Early Career Instructors
title_full_unstemmed Mentoring Experiences of New Online Teachers: Voices of Graduate and Early Career Instructors
title_short Mentoring Experiences of New Online Teachers: Voices of Graduate and Early Career Instructors
title_sort mentoring experiences of new online teachers voices of graduate and early career instructors
topic mentoring
online instructors
professional development
higher education
url https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/TLI/article/view/78804
work_keys_str_mv AT heathergarcia mentoringexperiencesofnewonlineteachersvoicesofgraduateandearlycareerinstructors
AT maryellendellostritto mentoringexperiencesofnewonlineteachersvoicesofgraduateandearlycareerinstructors