Sustaining Mentoring Relationships On-Line

we have documented shares some of the influences discussed by Ackerman et. al., but has unique dynamics of its own which present unique technical and social demands. Using several examples from telementoring dialogues, we will elucidate these demands and discuss the potential for CSCW systems to better sustain long-term help relationships by accommodating them. CSCW systems and research aim to sustain productive relationships over barriers of time and space. For the most part, however, the CSCW literature has focused on shortterm relationships or collaborative episodes. Here, we examine in depth 26 lengthy email relationships between students in grades 7 to 12 and volunteer scientists who advised them on science projects. We illustrate the unique dynamics of these relationships, consider their technical and social demands, and discuss the potential for CSCW systems to help sustain long-term help relationships by better accommodating their needs. Mentoring Relationships While successful...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 1998
• Where: CSCW
• Authors: D. Kevin O'Neill, Louis M. Gomez
• Keywords: CSCW 1998, CSCW Systems, Long-term Help Relationships, Social Sciences, Sustain Long-term Help