The SMILE Project
In 2007/08 the SWitch CETT allocated funding to 3 project teams to address issues relevant to mentoring, within the South West. The SMILE project was one of these 3 projects and focussed on the needs of the Adult & Community sector. The items below include suggestions and examples of resources arising from this project.
The SMILE name comes from Supporting Mentoring in Adult Learning Environments.
The need for improvements in teacher training for all sectors has been identified as a priority by the reform agenda Success for All (DfES 2002) which introduced staged changes for initial teacher training. Those training for primary, secondary positions have already benefited from these improvements and the next stage is the lifelong learning and skills sector which includes further, higher and adult education, voluntary, community and work based providers. One of the improvements identified is mentoring support for those undergoing initial teacher training.
The benefits of mentoring for the person being mentored, the mentor and the employer are covered in more detail in the Handbook provided and are very persuasive. However, mentoring support for teachers in the lifelong learning sector brings with it additional challenges. Whereas in schools, colleges and universities there are many opportunities for mentoring using a range of processes, in the lifelong learning sector there is often not the same opportunities due to the geographical dispersion, availability of subject specialist personnel and generally the additional cost of providing the same types of support whilst not in a location based organisation.
This project has looked at how a mentoring scheme could be provided which is flexible enough to be used by lifelong learning providers. Further information is found in Introduction Word document
Mentoring Models for Adult Learning Providers Word document
Setting-up, Selecting and Training
This section details what needs to be considered when setting up mentoring arrangements, a guide for mentors, some of the recommended topics and resources for use in training mentors - and issues around selecting trainee mentors. There is also information about existing training programmes for mentors - and how relevant they are.
Steps to setting up a Mentoring Scheme Word document
Training Opportunities Word document
Suggested Topics for inclusion in mentor training Word document
Resources for mentor training activities:
Expectations of Mentee and Mentor/Coach Word document
Complementary roles of line management and mentoring Word document
European Model of Mentoring Word document
Life cycle of the mentoring relationship Word document
TGROW model applied to the mentoring process Word document
The Johari Window Word document
Active
Listening Word document
Using open questions - hilltopping Word document
Challenging through feedback Word document
Mentoring Checklist Word document
Useful web-links
Inclusivity: Guidance and Resources
The following resources cover issues around disability, making information accessible to all, and the implications for e-learning provision.
Guidance on making information accessible pdf
RNIB 'See it Right' - link to info about the 'See it Right' book file
Other items to consider Resource
Electronic Resources and Support
This first document gives an overview of resource types and possible structures for support in mentoring.
E-resources & support in mentoring (3pgs 48KB Word) Word document
The second document looks at models of support as used in existing online courses and similar situations.
Existing e-support models (3pgs 51KB Word) Word document
This third document focuses on 'shared-access' elements in Moodle that could be used for supporting the trainer-trainee interaction in an online environment.
Moodle shared-access uses (2pgs 40KB Word) Word document
Subject Specialist Resources - Arts and Crafts
The following gives some detailed information for mentors to support mentees in Arts & Crafts.
Specialist resources to support good teaching practice Word document
Equality, Diversity and
Inclusivity resources produced and provided by Somerset Council.
Somerset - Race and Faith file
Somerset - Gender and Sexual Orientation file
Somerset - Diversity and session planning etc