ED3BMU-Understanding the Theory and Practice of Mentoring

Module Provider: Institute of Education
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Fiona Curtis
Email: f.r.curtis@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Mentoring is a tool of communication used in a range of environments where a more experienced member of a community (educational or professional), might engage with a less advanced one in order to achieve some or all of the following: to introduce them to the culture of their environment, to promote confidence and productivity, to provide emotional support and to develop professional competences. There are benefits for the person being mentored, the mentor and the community in which they are positioned.  However the literature also reports challenges such as “judge-mentoring” or even “tor-mentoring” and the practice is not always associated with positive outcomes.  The purpose of this module is to understand what mentoring is and the different roles and identities that may be involved.

Aims:

To explore the following questions:

• Do we know whether mentoring is effective?


• What is the difference between mentoring and coaching?


• How does mentoring theory fit in with other learning theories?


• Which mentoring models of practice are best known?


• What are the benefits and challenges of mentoring – to the mentor, the mentee and the organisation?

Assessable learning outcomes:

• To critically evaluate the theoretical rationale of mentoring


• To identify the benefits and challenges of mentoring

Additional outcomes:

• Students completing this module will gain experience of participating in a mentoring activity


• Transferable skills gained will be related to effective interpersonal communication


• Students will also develop their skills of reflection

Outline content:

• What is mentoring, when is it used and how is it different from coaching?


• How does mentoring fit with learning theories?


• Mentoring strategies and approaches


• Mentoring relationships


• Challenges in mentoring


• Technology and communication

Global context:

A range of mentoring models and the implications of mentoring within in an international working environment will be discussed

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		20
Practicals classes and workshops		10
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)		100
Wider reading (directed)		10
Preparation for seminars		10
Essay preparation		50
Total hours by term	0	200	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Reflective essay 3000 words

Formative assessment methods:

Small group work involving peer feedback, questioning, reflection

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

40%

Reassessment arrangements:

Resubmission during the summer resit period.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 30 March 2023