E-mentoring for professional development of information technologies teacher candidates

This study describes professional development of information technologies teacher candidates through e-mentoring. The research conducted at Anadolu University Computer Education and Instructional Technology Department in the 2010-2011 academic years. Case study research method has been used and the research is designed as a single case. The research participants are determined by purposive sampling among the undergraduate and graduate students, academics and alumni of the department.E-mentoring program is organized in four main stages as preparation, matching, interaction, and termination. Preparatory phase includes selection of the e-mentoring software, determination of participants, explanation of the process and training. The participants gathered together at the beginning of spring semester 2011 for matching phase and according to their demands, learning partnerships organized face to face. The interaction phase continued until the end of the semester, particularly on the platform and via the different communication tools that the participants preferred. During the study, researcher, as well as keeping diary, collected diversified data from participants through semi-structured interviews, focus group interviews and reflective reports at the end of the program. The data obtained firstly subjected to content analysis with the help Nvivo 8 software and findings are described in comparison with literature.The duration and frequency of interaction, preferred communication means varies in every pair. However, in terms of professional development, it is observed that participant gained; knowledge and experience sharing, targeting, compliance with the university, easy access to counseling, self-esteem development, communication skills development, social and emotional support, retention and enhancement of their information.As a result, implementation of e-mentoring alongside formal education was positively affected participants' professional development. E-mentoring program facilitated the sharing of knowledge and experience among students, faculty and alumni and expanded their social networks. Participants have had the opportunity to look at their career as a whole and have first-hand knowledge about the processes of their career. E-mentoring supports, alongside the traditional classroom environment, personal and professional development in the view of lifelong learning and focus on the needs and expectations of information society by providing an innovative approach.