Leveraging Virtual Worlds for Electronic Mentoring

Title: Leveraging Virtual Worlds for Electronic Mentoring
Format: Journal Article
Publication Date: 2015
Published In: Universal Access in Human-Computer Interaction, 2015, Part III, Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 9177
Description:

The Georgia STEM Accessibility Alliance’s BreakThru electronic mentoring program responds to a National Science Foundation request for research on virtual worlds to support outcomes for students with disabilities. It also addresses student advancement through critical junctures to STEM careers, particularly from secondary to post-secondary education, and from the undergraduate to graduate level. BreakThru has developed from an exploration of technology platforms into a full-fledged mentoring program that currently enrolls 85 students and 38 mentors. The overall aim of BreakThru is to increase the persistence in STEM of students with disabilities who are enrolled in the program. Toward this end, efficacy is measured in part through enrollment and retention of secondary and postsecondary students with disabilities into virtual mentoring. BreakThru is unique among mentoring programs due to its use of the virtual world Second Life to support or implement most project activities.

Ivan Allen College Contributors:
External Contributors: Robert L. Todd, Noel Gregg, Christopher L. Langston, and Gerri Wolfe
Citation:

Langston C., Moon N., Todd R., Gregg N., Wolfe G. (2015) Leveraging Virtual Worlds for Electronic Mentoring. In: Antona M., Stephanidis C. (eds) Universal Access in Human-Computer Interaction. Access to Learning, Health and Well-Being. UAHCI 2015. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 9177. 137-148.

Related Links:
Related Departments:
  • Center for Advanced Communications Policy