TLG Transforming Education Through Technology
For many students, coming to school is a safe haven from the outside stressors of life that they or their family might be facing. However, the transition from primary school to secondary school is not without its challenges.
A good mentoring relationship allows for students to have someone to talk to, who cares about them and listens.
TLG’s eMentor Program provides weekly online interactive mentoring to upper-primary students in rural WA, while supplementing the Rural Program's sustainable impact.
The topics specifically focused on for the mentoring include goal setting, cybersafety, and health and wellbeing, which aim to increase students’ resilience, self-esteem, and confidence to successfully manage the secondary school transition.
Rangeway Primary School, Deputy Principal, Connor Campbell, says that “To have that impact from someone who’s been through it themselves, who’s now at tertiary education level, it really gives them an idea that it is going to be okay, and that they are going to enjoy that transitional period”
The eMentor program embraces the use of technology to facilitate collaborative learning between individuals of different backgrounds. The mentoring not only provides the opportunity to connect, inspire and interact through the internet, but also creates a life-long impact on the recipient primary school students.
The eMentor program has lead to students having improved interpersonal skills, a positive attitude towards school, and feeling empowered to make better decisions.
The TLG 2018 Impact Report showed that 91% of TLG's mentees look up to their mentor as a positive role model. In the same report, data showed that 91% of students believe that learning will help them reach their life and career goals.
Mentors act as relatable and shining beacons for young people, helping them to navigate these challenges - whether it is standing up to a bully, helping out a friend, trying a new maths problem, or even learning to dream a little bigger.
Our eMentor volunteers share with us below their thoughts on how technology is transforming education:
Chris - “Technology has granted us the opportunity to connect in new ways, creating meaningful relationships with people from different walks of life”.
Randy - “I think technology is essential in terms of eMentor education because it allows for a more dynamic interaction with the child, and opens doors such that the mentor can play to the child’s learning strengths. The more technology grows in future years, the better the quality of education available to everyone”.
By addressing educational inequity, and providing the opportunity to develop the necessary skills through mentoring and support, TLG continues to work hard to build a brighter future for children experiencing disadvantage in rural WA.
If you would like to get involved, subscribe to our newsletter today and stay updated with important dates for the 2020 eMentor program.
2019 Semester 2 eMentor volunteers