CoderDojo Remote Mentoring with IBMers

As you may know there is a global shortage of Mentors available to volunteer at their local Dojos. Together the CoderDojo Foundation and IBMers are providing a solution to bring the inspiring CoderDojo experience to locations where there is a shortage of Mentors with:

=Remote Mentoring by IBMers!=

High level overview of Remote Mentoring process: To facilitate secure and reliable remote mentoring sessions IBM SmartCloud SameTime Meetings cloud software is used. Champion is given a licence for the IBM ST Meetings software and is able to host online meeting where IBMers-remote-mentors login using their own IBM licenses and all Ninjas that are present at the Coderdojo locally with Champion - login as a guests. Remote mentors and Ninjas collaborate using chat and screen share functionalities of IBM ST Meetings. Champion is recording and retaining records of each session for child protection reasons.

To enable collaboration between Champions and Remote mentors, IBM collaboration tools are used: namely CoderDojo@IBM community, where champions mainly work with Activity and Event applications. And below you will find more detailed information about this process.

Intro and Sign Up links for Mentors and Champions
IBMers want to facilitate Remote Mentoring to Dojos that can’t source enough Mentors in their area. IBMers (enthusiastic people who work at IBM) are offering support for Remote Mentoring sessions in the aim to help new Dojos start in regions that don’t have the resources. With Remote Mentoring Dojos can be mentored by IBMers thousands of miles away, utilizing secure and reliable online collaboration tools kindly provided by IBM. In Summer 2014, IBMers from all over the world have connected with number of Dojos world-wide by piloting remote Mentoring sessions using IBM SmartCloud SameTime Meetings. From this pilot IBMers have developed simple instructions for everyone involved in the remote Mentoring model by defining a process to connect remote Mentors with CoderDojo Champions across the world - This is detailed in the sections below.


 * Info on Remote Mentoring at CoderDojo for IBMers

Currently only IBMers can sign up as remote mentors. But CoderDojo Champions can sign up their Dojo to avail of these IBMer Remote Mentors for their Dojo.

CoderDojo Champions, Sign up your Dojo for Remote Mentoring below:


 * If your Dojo is not signed up for Remote Mentoring with IBMers you can sign up your Dojo here.

We need your help!


 * We are looking for Dojos and CoderDojo Mentors get involved in remote Mentoring sessions. Not only will you have the opportunity to try this remote Mentoring solution first hand, you will also be helping CoderDojo to progress to the next stage in providing IT education to young people worldwide! If your Dojo / Mentors would like to be a part of this awesome initiative to bring CoderDojo to remote locations, then let us know by filling out the form below.


 * Take part in Coderdojo Remote Mentoring!!


 * Remote Mentoring is a game changer that can help to provide IT education to the world-wide locations where otherwise it wouldn’t be possible – if you know about a CoderDojo that cannot take off due to the lack of Mentors, please send their contact details via form above, in comments section, while entering N/A in internet speed field.

Sourcing and Connecting with Remote Mentors using CoderDojo@IBM Community (cloud based software)
CoderDojo Champions can setup details about their next available Dojo sessions and connect with IBMer Remote Mentors using CoderDojo@IBM community. Community is one of collaboration tools that is used to manage interactions between Champions and Mentors. To use collaboration tools you need to get a software license - this license is assigned to you by Coderdojo Foundation team. Once you signed your Dojo up for remote mentoring and team had verified your Dojo and clarified your current circumstances, Zory (twitter: @ZoryTischenko) adds you to the CoderDojo@IBM community, that you will be able to access at the link here

Using CoderDojo@IBM Community

 * CoderDojo Champions can:
 * Set up a profile for their Dojo detailing the next available sessions so available IBMers can select to join and Remote Mentor at these sessions.
 * Add useful info to your Dojos profile for example: the time zone and native language used at that Dojo.
 * Contact IBMer Remote Mentors about up coming Dojo sessions and discuss topics such as lesson content and other relevant session information.


 * IBMer Remote Mentors can:
 * Search for Dojos that need mentors - Events sections to sign up for upcoming remote mentoring sessions in different Dojos, use Activity section to find more information about specific Dojo.
 * Book in for an upcoming CoderDojo event, make sure to book it into your dairy, because, when time comes, there will be at least 30 young people hoping that an IBMer will connect with them.
 * Don't worry - they won't all ask you questions, however, the fact that IBMer will be joining the session alone generates good amount of excitement in the group.

During the live Remote Mentoring session
Coderdojo Champions should:
 * Have the set of instructions for SameTime meetings available.
 * Make sure the session is recorded (this is for child protection purposes), keep it positive and be patient with all attendees in the meeting room. No matter how slow anything happens, once you are pushing it forward, there is progress taking place, and that is what important.
 * Once logged out from a Remote Mentoring session - spread the word! Tweet mentioning @CoderDojo, along with the Twitter handle of the CoderDojo that you just took part in, hashtag it with #powerfulplay, #remotementoring. If you can, write blog entry about your experience and share it with your social networks - make sure to let the Coderdojo Champion know where the entry is and request any permissions needed from them, so they can help spread the word.

Lead by example, so more IT professionals world-wide can join the CoderDojo movement in enabling free IT education for young people around the world!!

Tips For CoderDojo Champions using CoderDojo@IBM Community (cloud based software)

 * Create a dedicated activity for your Dojo
 * Add information about your Dojo for example: create a dedicated Dojo Activity like "HTML - Website Tutorial". You can do this using the "Activity app" located on left hand side navigation bar
 * Add any other information that you like. During this activity you can connect with your mentors and parents for details that should be added such as session topics that you would like mentors to cover etc.
 * Try not to upload to many Files, as this community has 5Gb space limitation. If you need to share some files use links to files stored on other websites - for example, Google Docs for documents, Flicker or Facebook for pictures, youtube for videos, etc.
 * To host online meeting to provide a place where CoderDojo youth and remote mentors can collaborate, you need to ask for a licence / credentials for IBM Engage collaboration software. CoderDojo Foundation team will provide you with the licence (you only need one).
 * Create 4-8 Events for next sessions (use "Events app" this can be accessed on left hand side navigation bar) within the CoderDojo@IBM community. In the Event description put what technologies you will explore during the Dojo session, how many attendees you hope to have, what technologies you need Remote Mentors for, link to your online room, time and duration of the session, etc. IBMer Remote Mentors will use Events that you set up to sign up for a specific session, booking a day&time in their calendars. Allow 1-2 weeks for mentors to sign up, e.g. post your events way up front. Aim to have 2-3 remote mentors on the session - providing that they will be with you for entire duration of the session, this number is sufficient to keep your Ninjas engaged.
 * Prior to the session - familiarise yourself with the instructions for online meeting tool (you can find info on this here). Add info for EACH role (e.g. host, champion, remote mentor, pupil) to your online meeting room, print couple of versions for attendees to pass around and read.


 * On the day
 * Start the online session (e.g. host online meeting as per instructions). Do this 15-20min before your local session takes place to give time for any technical issues.
 * Connect with your IBMer Remote Mentor and discuss any queries they may have.
 * Press the record button! Once the online session is started you will need to record each session for the child protection purposes. You will need to keep an archive of ALL the online meetings.
 * Away you go!
 * Post Remote Mentoring session: Tweet - mentioning @CoderDojo, along with the Twitter handle of the CoderDojo that you just mentored, hashtag it with #powerfulplay, #remotementoring. If you can, write blog entry about your visit and share it with your social networks - make sure to let the Coderdojo Champion know where the entry is and request any permissions needed from them, so s/he can help spread the word. Your contribution in spreading word about remote mentoring is very important - it will help make remote mentoring a part of normal day to day life for every IT professional, and hence provide free IT education to young people world-wide.

Dojos can Register their interest for Remote Mentoring here

Watch the first Remote Mentoring kick off call here. It walks you through the creating Activity, Events, explains how to use tools involved. Connect with @ZoryTischenko on twitter - Zory is a focal point / driving this initiative on IBMers side.

=Remote Mentoring using SameTime Meetings (software)=

Once a Coderdojo Champion has organised an agreed session with an IBMer Remote Mentor via the Greenhouse Community the Remote mentoring sessions will take place using SameTime Meetings software.

Accessing Meeting Rooms
Here is info on accessing a meeting room link (This is the same for every person who has been given a license):

Champions that have been verified will be given and IBM Engage licence and will automatically given a meeting room (it holds maximum 200 people). Meetings are hold as collaboration over chat and screen-share (no audio or video is enabled at this time).

You will have to access the meeting using a browser.


 * Here's how Champions finds link to their very own online meeting room:
 * Go to the page at https://apps.na.collabserv.com and log in using your ID & password (This would be the license details you've recieved - e.g. email address and password)
 * This will bring you to your Connections home page. Click on the "Apps" drop down menu on the top of the page and click on "Meetings (new)". See image below:




 * This will bring you to your meetings home page. You will have to set up a password. Please use something you will remember.




 * Your meeting URL is on this page too - you will share this URL with Ninjas and remote mentors to enable them to connect in your meeting room.
 * To start your meeting room, click on "Host Meeting" and you'll be asked for your password and then you'll enter your room.
 * Step-by-step instructions for everyone involved explaining how to use Same Time Meetings: here.

For CoderDojo Members taking part in remote Dojos

 * The Champion will hold one license to authenticate him/her, each Champion will request this licence and be verified by the CoderDojo Foundation team. You can contact CoderDojo Foundation here.
 * CoderDojo Champions / Mentors will login using their license to host the meeting using SameTime Meetings software.
 * Coderdojo youth attendees will login 'as a guest' to online meeting room.
 * All children must be physically at one location with a CoderDojo Champion / Mentor (and their parent/s) for the entire duration of the CoderDojo session so it is Champion's responsibility to authenticate young people presents that are in online meeting room.


 * When working with young people it is important to make sure that all online interactions are secure, that each individual in the room is authenticated and that all remote sessions are recorded. All IBMers will already have a SameTime Meetings software licence and they authenticate as they normally do at IBM as IBM employees.

=Becoming a Remote Mentor at CoderDojo=

This section will tell you more about how you can play your part in enabling free IT education for young people world-wide, as a remote mentor. Please note that Remote Mentoring is a new initiative, and it still in 'prove of concept' mode. Due to this, we have limited number of licenses for the software right now. Hence we try to use these licenses for Champions only, so to be able to facilitate more Dojos. Hence we try to have only IBMers in the mentor role (this is only due to the fact that IBMers already have license for the IBM software that is used, since they work at IBM). Once we had used up all the licenses we have, we will build up a waiting list for both, Champions and Mentors, and will look into getting more licenses to facilitate remote mentoring for Dojos and bring on board mentors on the waiting list.

On this page you can find more about concept of mentoring at CoderDojo. If you would like to be added to the list of non-IBMer mentors please sign up as a mentor here - we will contact you once we start brining on board non-IBMer mentors too.

Mentoring Tips - Remotely or Locally

 * CoderDojo focuses on peer-to-peer and self lead learning and in an informal and social education environment. It is very different from formal education structures, there is no curriculum, no expectations and no grades. Mentors are there to inspire and empower young people to develop their problem solving skills and learn to find answers for themselves.


 * A Mentor is not expected to have all the answers and in some cases Mentors end up mentoring young people in technologies that are just as new to them as they are to the pupil. At a Dojo a Mentor is there to help CoderDojo youth to build their problem solving skills and to show appreciation of the young persons progress empowering them with the drive to learn. This kind of environment encourages young peoples curiosity and creativity with technology at their Dojo.


 * If you are worried that your technical skills are not enough to Mentor a young person - don't. Sometimes it is even better not to have all the answers, in this case you can help young people to find these answers on their own. This can be more beneficial for young people learning, than giving them the answer removing the process of questioning, searching and evaluating new information.
 * When asked a question you do not know answer for - admit it, and suggest to find answer together. Then Mentor them via the process of finding the answer online for themselves.


 * You can explain that there is not much point to learning all language syntaxes by heart - they are always available online, besides, all IT knowledge is evolving all the time, and today popular technologies are quickly replaced by others. Hence, once you practice enough how to problem solve, and once you gain confidence in taking on board new, unfamiliar to you technology - you will be capable to program anything, using any language.

Problem Solving

 * Problem solving is the truly valuable skill, you can mention this to young people every time you are unable to answer their question. When you know the answer to the question - do not give it away, instead try to help them find it by themselves. Explaining the importance of problem solving as a skill. If they spent a good amount of time searching and did not find it - at least they practised a problem solving exercise! In this case then give them an answer rewarding their hard work and patience.

Role Models

 * Young people are great at figuring out problems for themselves and if your Dojo has Mentors that are regarded as role models, Mentors who spend time to time asking youth attendees what they're up to and who positively reinforce their efforts – you will see amazing creativity and progress in the knowledge and skill of the young people attending your Dojo! This is displayed annually at the Coolest Projects Event.


 * As for questions from kids - many times they will be repetitive, and you need to remember that CoderDojo heavily encourages peer learning, hence once you explain one child how to do something, you should forward all other kids with the same question to this child. It will generate a lot of positive collaboration among the kids locally and help them make friends, build their social and team-collaboration skills.

Sugata Mitra on Remote Mentoring and Child-driven education

 * Sugata Mitra had tested this technique within child-driven learning environment in India - by mounting a PC into the wall (literally) and allowing young people using it freely, while Remote Mentors were interacting with young people to help them out on their learning journey. This is a 'how to' and 'why to' intro for every person who wants to be successful Remote Mentor, it is also an awesome talk, so check it out below:


 * Watch Sugata Mitra TED talk about Remote Mentoring.

=Process overview for Champions=


 * Register your Dojo on the CoderDojo listing site if you haven't done so yet. You must register your Dojo in order to participate in Remote Mentoring. You can register your Dojo as soon as you have venue for your sessions.

Sign up for remote mentoring here - Zory (twitter: @ZoryTischenko) will get in touch with you to get you on board with CoderDojo@IBM Community.

Logged in to the CoderDojo@IBM community

 * Once logged into the CoderDojo@IBM community, Champions will have to set up details about their Dojo, so IBMer Remote Mentors can see if they have the ability to help your Dojo by Remote Mentoring. After specifying details for their Dojo in dedicated Activity, Champion will set up Events for upcoming CoderDojo sessions and IBMers-remote-mentors will use those Events to sign up for specific session. Hence, bookings for mentors will be managed using Events functionality of CoderDojo@IBM community.
 * To host online meeting and thus to provide a place where CoderDojo youth and remote mentors can collaborate, champion will host an online meeting, using IBM SmartCloud SameTime Meetings software, which is part of collaboration offering that each champion will have a license for.

Remote Mentoring session

 * Start the online session (e.g. host online meeting as per instructions for Host here). Do this 15-20min before your local session takes place to give time for any technical issues.
 * Press the record button! Once the online session is started you will need to record each session for the child protection purposes. You will need to keep an archive of ALL the online meetings.

Share your Experience
Tweet - mentioning @CoderDojo, along with the Twitter handle of the CoderDojo that you just mentored, hashtag it with #powerfulplay, #remotementoring. If you can, write blog entry about your visit and share it with your social networks - make sure to let the Coderdojo Champion know where the entry is and request any permissions needed from them, so s/he can help spread the word. Your contribution in spreading word about remote mentoring is very important - it will help make remote mentoring a part of normal day to day life for every IT professional, and hence provide free IT education to young people world-wide.

Dojos can Register their interest for Remote Mentoring here