Developing Web-based Tutorial Modules to Support Training for Group-based Mentoring

This paper describes the development and implementation of a series of interactive online modules that serve as the core component of a mentor training program for middle school teachers in the Botball® Educational Robotics Program. Botball is an international team-based robotics competition for secondary students. Over the course of a season, students work together to design, build, and program a robot that will meet a particular challenge. Teachers play a critical role in this process as team mentors, but there is currently no mentor training available that is easily accessible to teachers in a variety of geographic locations. To meet this need, and as part of a larger research study, three STEM educators at a US Midwestern university created five Web-based modules designed to introduce users to the fundamentals of group mentoring. These research-based tutorials provide on-demand distance training that is engaging and reflective. We will discuss formative evaluation of the training gleaned from responses to open-ended survey questions given to the initial group of 33 teachers who piloted the modules as well as from interactive webinars offered throughout the training.