Exploring the worth of online communities and e-mentoring programs for beginning teachers

[Abstract]: Education systems worldwide face challenges in retaining and developing beginning teachers against a widespread pattern of significant attrition. This study used interviews with beginning teachers, their mentors and other relevant staff members in the local system to investigate the potential of online communities and e-mentoring to address the problem. The findings support the hypothesis that online mentoring would effectively supplement induction procedures already in place. The initial topics or threads of discussion within the learning community should address issues identified in the study, such as behavior management, interactions and relationships with parents, and assessment and reporting. This will allay concerns by addressing issues seen as most relevant by beginning teachers

STEMming the Flow: Supporting Females in STEM

An e-mentoring program was established to support females who were studying or intending to study or work in Science, Technology, Engineering or Maths related disciplines (STEM) and were located in regional, rural or remote areas. Mentors and mentees were matched based on their shared interests, fields of study and area of employment. The mentoring program aimed to support mentees’ career development and smoother transitions from study into the workforce by providing an opportunity to develop knowledge and networks necessary to achieve their career goals. Data were collected through pre and post online surveys and semi-structured interviews. This paper describes the experiences of e-mentoring for participants located in rural and remote locations, and shares implications for implementation of e-mentoring, and suggestions for improvement for future e-mentoring projects

Becoming a female leader in higher education: investigations from a regional university

Issues of gender imbalance in leadership have long been a significant issue in universities, as is the case across most industries. This paper explores the experiences of seven females who have successfully achieved senior leadership positions at a regional university in Australia. While the experiences of these women differ in many ways, there are certainly similarities in the challenges and adversities that they have faced, and their perceptions of what has allowed them to experience success in their leadership roles. This paper provides a number of recommendations for women aspiring to be leaders in higher education, such as committing to ongoing development, taking opportunities when presented, developing resilience, developing a track record, and seeking support, and also recommendations for institutions

Successful succession through shared leadership: preparing a new generation of educational leaders

[Abstract]: Changes in technology and society present challenges for education systems around the world. A generation that has grown up amid rapid developments in technology is disposed to believe that change is the natural order of things, in employment as in other aspects of life. Retaining teachers and nurturing the next generation of leaders presents new challenges in such an environment. Although there is likely to be no simple solution, some pointers to effective strategies may be found through understanding and responding to the characteristics of the rising generation. As representatives of the retiring and advancing generations, the authors of this paper bring a personal perspective to the challenges and the potential solutions