The Distance Mentor

Defenition of a Mentor

An experienced and trusted adviser. An experienced person in an organisation who trains and counsels new employees or students. – Oxford Dictionary.

Who can be a Mentor?

A personal mentor will facilitate learning in areas that may be a considerable distance from a Tuition Centre. A Mentor has an appropriate qualification and, preferably, some experience in the field of Ministry. The Mentor is a person the student respects and can trust. Apart from a good reputation and professionalism, the Mentor must be able to handle some of the necessary evaluation of the learner's progress in the Church Life Programme.

What is Expected of a Mentor? (See also Structured Mentoring here)

The Mentor must be available in close proximity to the mentored student who studies for a Christian Life Certificate or Diploma. Since the teaching model of our Lord Jesus Christ was one of personal contact and spiritual input, we believe that a student who cannot be at a Bible School where interactive sessions are offered, the personal mentor principle is acceptable.

The student needs someone to give guidance, advice, be a sounding board, and offer wise counsel. Such a person has to have a thorough grasp of Church Life, which embraces the Charismatic/Pentecostal way of thinking. The task of the Mentor is further defined in the Mentor Guide.

Feedback / Sounding Board

The mentored student should have regular meetings with the Mentor. The mentor may charge between R50 and R100 per session*. The learner will receive guidance and feedback on, for instance, written assignments, e.g.:

• The general layout and usage of fonts, alignment and space in the essay
• The correct usage of a reference system for citation and Bibliography
• The suitability of books or Websites used as source material
• How the evidence found in the source material was analysed
• The way in which a logical conclusion was reached
• Formulating and reaching an own conclusion or opinion
• How well the work was formulated (sentence construction etc.)
• Whether reasoning ability was shown
• Whether critical evaluation was applied
• Whether the style is clear enough for others to read
• Whether an understanding of the meaning of words was demonstrated

Since the student does not attend classes to hear live lectures, the Mentor creates a learning environment similar to the group discussions in a Tuition Centre. It is essential that the mentored student reads and studies the set section of the material before each meeting with the Mentor.

Assessments

The Mentor is responsible for the marking of assignments and tasks as required for each module. The evaluations are formative, which means that the student learns through performing of the task or group discussion for which an evaluation mark / % is given. Each Mentor should become familiarised with the Web-access process in order to assist the student. The final aim is that all tests will be written on-line by registered students. Each student must first be registered on the Website for a course in order to write the test. The Mentor can help the student with these tests by encouraging the student to use the e-cards that are be provided. Page numbers written on the e-card print-out will serve as proof of required preparation for the Web tests.

Counselling for Discipleship

Since Church Life is not only an academic course, but also preparation for the Ministry, students must have access to counselling on a spiritual level and academic level – preparing someone to work with people within a spiritual (Christian) faith context. The Mentor will be required to steer the student along prepared guidelines for suitable discussions, as well as monitoring appropriate activities.

How a Mentor is appointed

Mentors are registered at a Tuition Centre to act on their behalf to facilitate more effective learning. A TC representative will examine the suitability of the qualifications as well as the necessary practical experience needed for their mentoring function. A candidate will give proof of qualification (an appropriate qualification or being over 40) and identification by submitting certified copies of these documents. (See following pages) If a personal interview cannot be arranged, a personal testimony from a local pastor, or established academic, or professional, is acceptable.