You're considering a career in Educational Technology. What can a mentor do for you?

I've been a Technical Educational Trainer for a long time, and my experience has taught me an important principle: "Always Learn To Implement." This means that simply learning from books without putting that knowledge into practice is not very meaningful. When you just follow what someone else has written in a book, you're limited to their perspective. However, if you study and actively try to use what you've learned, you might discover new and different concepts. So, the key is to start implementing what you've learned. This not only helps you understand things better but also gives you practical, real-life results that can guide your approach to various aspects of your life.

Edtech is not precisely legacy; it's a fast-paced and experimental field. Mentors can share extremely insightful experiences to introduce you to new ideas, trends and people you wouldn't find any other way.

A mentor can help you get an educational technology job in several ways: Guidance: A mentor can provide guidance on the necessary skills, qualifications, and experience needed for educational technology roles. Resume and Interview Tips: A mentor can review your resume, provide feedback, and offer interview tips specific to the educational technology industry. Skill Development: They can suggest relevant courses, workshops, or projects to help you develop the skills required for the job. Industry Insights: A mentor can share insights into trends, challenges, and opportunities within the educational technology sector, helping you tailor your job search and preparation accordingly.

The best way to learn anything, is from other's mistakes. A mentor is ideally someone who has already been through the journey I am about to undertake. They will highlight pitfalls they've faced, and how to overcome them without the pain.

Perhaps most importantly, a mentor can help you navigate the ethical issues that arise in EdTech, such as data privacy, equity of access, and the potential for technology to both bridge and widen educational gaps. By fostering a deep understanding of these issues, a mentor prepares you to contribute positively to the field, ensuring that your work supports inclusive and equitable educational outcomes.

Concordo com esse ponto. O feedback é elemento fundamental para a motiva??o e o engajamento. Para saber aonde se quer chegar, é preciso primeiro saber onde se está. Uma rota, um caminho precisa de uma origem e um destino, e isso só se dá a partir do momento em que se sabe onde está.

A mentor listens to your ambitious and aspirations. Provides guidance because they are already thought leaders in that field. After you practice what they have thought you, they expect feedback to know whether you were actually satisfied with trying out their tips.

Constructive feedback is a critical tool for professional development, especially in a field as complex and multidisciplinary as EdTech. A mentor can provide insights that are both broad in scope and specific in detail. This feedback is not limited to pointing out areas of improvement; it highlights strengths, identifies weaknesses, and suggests actionable steps for growth. In EdTech projects, a mentor can offer feedback on the design, implementation, and evaluation phases, ensuring that the technology not only meets educational goals but is also user-friendly and accessible. This kind of feedback is invaluable for project management, improving your ability to anticipate potential issues, and enhancing the overall quality of your work.

There are millions of apps, tools, websites, and programs in the edtech world. It is overwhelming. An experienced mentor can help you learn how to filter and evaluate tools. They can also help you understand when to use a particular tool, when to use technology in general, and when not to use technology. Understand when not to use technology is a critical part of using technology effectively.

A mentor is an industry expert. With their level of expertise and wide array of network, one can benefit from such network. Having access to your mentor's network can create opportunities for you faster.

Mentors are experienced and trusted individuals. Having a mentor in your field or profession provides you the opportunity to make less mistakes as the will be there to guide and give support. Also, there is high chances of getting to the peak of your career quickly as they will be there to give credibility, refer, hold you by the hand, increase your visibility and also provide you access to lots of information.

Your network is your net worth. A mentor is someone who will likely have many high-level connections within the industry. This will massively help someone new to the field, as they can recommend you for potential roles, and other opportunities. This increases your visibility and reputation in the eyes of others.

I think there are three components to networking that a mentor could likely help you with. First, you need to create a clear brand for yourself. This doesn't have to be complicated or fancy, if you're a great teaching assistant, find a way to express that in just a few sentences so that people will start to know you for that. Secondly, you need to have a reputation which can be built by working with people consistently or by creating a profile that people can find online. Finally you want to meet people who share your goals and ideas and determine if you could work successfully together. A great mentor will know how to guide you so you can do these things, and a great mentor will emphasize helping with what will have the most impact.

A mentor can provide feedback on your work and offer advice on how to improve your skills and advance in your career. A mentor can suggest relevant courses, workshops, and conferences to help you develop your skills and knowledge in educational technology.

EdTech is a large and constantly growing industry. If you are planning to transition, don't market yourself as a jack-of-all-trades. Instead, choose one or two categories. It's better to be known as the 3D printing expert than "that person is okay at training on Sphero". Give yourself one or two categories to be the expert in and learn. Join PLNs, learn about different brands/options, and go from there.

The Google Champions community is a great place to look for connections and support. The Google Certified Coach and Innovator programs have powerful mentor / coach components.

There is a difference between mentorship and networking. A mentor can be found through networking on LinkedIn. It starts with a question or general interest in something and reaching out to that network. Over time, networking conversations morph into something more significant. Another way of finding a mentor is being involved with an organization, such as American Corporate Partners, and being assigned a mentor to coach and guide based on strategic pairing.

In my experience, the best mentors have allowed me to spread my wings to trial and test new technology and pedagogy. My mentors have provided a broader systemic support but have trusted my knowledge to make systemic change using technology.

Dedicar à sua jornada de aprendizado com um mentor, você estará construindo uma base sólida para uma carreira gratificante e de impacto em Edtech. Ent?o, veja algumas dicas a seguir: 1. Busque mentores com diferentes experiências e perspectivas. 2. Participe de programas de mentoria formais ou encontre um mentor informalmente. 3. Seja proativo e engajado na rela??o de mentoria.

Consider finding a mentor outside of your field but with enthusiasm for technology. My best mentors have been able to discuss the depths of pedagogy through to the latest technology trends. Being aware of system approvals for technology will also help your journey.

Vejo que um bom mentor pode fornecer apoio e motiva??o durante sua jornada em TE. Ele pode ajudá-lo a superar desafios e obstáculos em sua carreira e poderá ser um defensor e ajudá-lo a alcan?ar seus objetivos profissionais.

I would also like a mentor to take care about mental well-being. Not only focus on materialistic side of it but being human at heart.

A mentor can serve as a trusted advisor, supporter, and guide, providing invaluable support, guidance, and encouragement as you navigate your personal and professional journey. Their mentorship can help you unlock your full potential, overcome obstacles, and achieve your goals with confidence and clarity.