Digital mentors?
My skepticism has been assuaged considerably since this was originally posted, but it would be wrong of me to alter the post so I haven’t; and besides, the arguments are still worth having.
I want to endorse the idea of ‘digital mentors‘ [link updated], really I do; but the more I think about it the less able I am to do so.
For a start the funding would run out eventually. Any mentoring programme would therefore reach a finite number of people within a very specific time window. Developments in technology will move on regardless.
More importantly though, what point of understanding would mentors be trying to reach with their charges? What aspects of social media would be seen as important? Would their efforts be welcomed, or would some people rather stay digitally divided?
Definitely I agree that education is as least as important as access to technology, but there’s no point in one without the other. And I think that maybe the education is best embedded in the (ever-evolving) formal structures, so that we can develop a culture of understanding and appreciation of the changing nature of technology and the different speeds and levels at which people adapt to it.
Accessibility,Digital engagement,Digital Mentors,Education,Ramblings,Social media
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For me, right now it is about the divide and looking at how we can help and encourage those not engaging with the technology. I think this “mentoring” can begin to tackle the inherent problem we have in our approach to technology – if we all had a bit of patience when trying to show mom and dad how to programme the VCR…
Yes there will always be those disinterested but also those who do want to be part but can’t due to a lack of confidence, resources, advice & guidance.
As the technology evolves, (it’s actually getting easier to interact with and use these tools) now should be the time to try and tackle some of the barriers that exist which give rise to indifference and fear of it.
I’m in favour of an informal approach because at this stage, it’s very much about confidence. I’m not against a formal approach but the evolving nature of the internet suggests to me that we could benfit from a more sharing, informal way of learning things.
Stu
Sorry Stu, been locked out of my house all day. Quite liberating actually!
I do agree with you, the informal approach shouuld be there for those who want it; and indeed should be encouraged in those who think they don’t. I guess my skepticism is about putting all our eggs in one basket (I’ll see if I can squeeze in some more cliches), when actually there need to be many approaches that are all recognised for their value. I actually think the government’s right to put resources into providing access to those on lower income, but I do firmly agree that such a project should include a strong formal education element, such as you describe. (Sorry, no more cliches.)
Michael
I think the idea of having digital mentors is a good one – but only if it can be aligned with a clear break in mentoring, when the teacher effectively becomes the student. In this way we could ensure skills transferance – but it won’t work without increased access, which means integrating a tech roll-out with skills training.
Justin
I have to say my skepticism has subsided somewhat since talking to Stuart Parker and Nick Booth. I do see a valuable role for digital mentoring if the relationship between mentor and mentored (mentee?) is two way (ie both are considered ‘learners’). I do worry though that in this debate ‘social media’ is generally presumed to be a good thing and that the digital divide needs bridging to give access to it. I hope that any mentoring will take into consideration that using online ‘social media’ tools may have its dangers and disadvantages, and that sometimes *not* using them may be preferable.
Michael