Click Here to Change the World:

Using Technology to Build e-Mentoring Relationships

Kimberly McKeeMS, Instructional Technologies

– Emphasis in Distance Education

Online, Non-Credit ProgramsOutreach and Community Engagement

501.852.2691kmckee@uca.edu

Questions and Answers1. How did the D.R.E.A.M. Team program begin?2. Who does the program serves?3. When was the program implemented?4. Where was the program implemented?5. How are public school students chosen?6. How are college mentors chosen?7. What happens during the program?8. Why is this program unique?9. Is this program effective?

It Started With an Idea

How the D.R.E.A.M Team was Formed

• Researched Online Mentor Programs• Met with UCA Minority Mentorship Program Directors• Met with Conway’s Choosing to Excel Mentoring

Program Directors• Identified the Risks and the Benefits• Funding - UCA Center for Community and & Economic

Development’s Rockefeller Grant

D.R.E.A.M.

• Diversity

• Responsibility

• Engagement

• Achievement

• Mentorship

D.R.E.A.M Team Coaches

Who Are We Serving

Who Are We Serving

At-Risk Students:

•Risk of not graduating•Risk of teen pregnancy•Low socioeconomic students•First-generation college students•Students in the ALE Program

Selection of Malvern Students

• Youth Pre-Program Survey• Recommendations from Teachers• Grades• Attendance• Behavior Referrals• Parental Consent

E-courager Recruitment

• Advertisinge-mail blastsFlyers around campusWord-of-mouth

• Student Interest Meeting Applications due one week later

Selection of e-Couragers• Success in College

Lessons learned from obstacles overcome

• Existing Character TraitsCommunication/listening skillsLeadership skills/potentialEmotional intelligence and stabilityPrevious experience with at-risk youth

• Experience with Mentorship

• Educational Goals and Interests

• Desire to Give Back Through Service to the Community

e-Courager Development

• D.R.E.A.M. Team Orientation and Training

• Title 9 and Sexual Harassment Training

• MBTi and Communication Training

• Blackboard Technology Training

• The Power of Mentoring and Leadership Presentation

“People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.”

~ Kareem Moody

16-Week Program Format

Three Face-to-Face Meetings•Meet and Greet on UCA Campus•Equine Therapy at Living Stones Ranch•End of Program Meeting on UCA Campus

Eight Online Lessons

Face-to-Face Meetings

Meet and Greet

Greeting from e-Couragers

Meet and Greet

Equine Therapy at Living Stones Ranch

Equine Therapy at Living Stones Ranch

Campus Visit

“What am I uniquely gifted

to change?”~ Cory Anderson

Campus Visit: Photo Scavenger Hunt

Online Lessons

Combined purchased material with ideas customized to fit the program

Included the UCA Mentors through “Curriculum Buddies”

Incorporated Web 2.0 Tools

Curriculum

Lesson Development

Each Lesson:

Followed a consistent format

Designed to be completed in a 30-minute timeframe

Loosely followed the Experiential Learning Model

Experiential Learning ModelStudents:

1.EXPERIENCED an activity set up for them in each lesson2.SHARED results and observations via the Discussion Board3.PROCESSED the information with the help of their Mentors4.GENERALIZED the experience as it related to their own ideas and beliefs5.APPLIED what was learned in their own lives

*ONLINE EXPERIENCES WERE SUPPLEMENTED WITH F2F EXPERIENCES*

Curriculum Improvements

• Students will take a needs assessment survey to identify areas of instruction

• Lessons will be available every other week• Discussion Board will be available in off weeks to build

stronger bonds using the GLAD Format:

What is GOOD this week?What did you LEARN this week?What made you ANGRY this week?What DECISIONS did you make this week?

Web 2.0

Students created motivational posters in the Academics lesson.

Students created a cartoon avatar during the Diversity Lesson.

Students shared their dreams during the Learn to Dream lesson.

Mentors shared their definition of Responsibility with their Mentees.

Used to create Diversity Circles video

Used to create definition of Diversity

Video support

Copyright

• Files were linked to the course shell, not imbedded

• Material was for educational, non-profit use

• Material was made available for a limited time to a small group of people

• Material was password protected to avoid outside access

Blackboard Learn

CourseTour

16-Week Pilot Program Results• 77% Raised a letter grade in English or Math• 31% Reduced discipline referrals• 23% Reduced absences

“This is the most I’ve seen these students talk and smile.” ~ ALE Teacher

“It definitely made my relationships stronger with certain people, helped me open up more; my mentor helped me tremendously.

She also opened my eyes and helped me to actually push myself.” ~ Malvern Student

Registered Student Organization

• Open the gateway for new students as well as current students to be a part of something bigger than themselves

• SAFA Funding

Johnathan MablinPresident, Dream Team RSO

Senior, University of Central Arkansas

“Because of what the D.R.E.A.M. Team stands for, we felt that in order to keep moving forward within our campus and community, this organization needed to be recognized at UCA.”

Future Plans

• Arkansas Community Foundation/Black Hall of Fame Grant

• Serve 8th and 9th Graders• Parental Involvement and

Assessment• Incentives for Malvern

and UCA Students

Thank you!

http://fluidsurveys.com/s/uams/

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