Is in-person mentoring still a must? Exploring online mentoring in graduate education through descriptive and variance analysis

• Autores: Changhong Teng, Xuanwei Ma
• Localización: Innovations in education and teaching international, ISSN 1470-3297, Vol. 63, Nº 2, 2026, págs. 418-433
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • The rapid advancement of Information Communication Technology (ICT) has elevated online mentoring to a level comparable to face-to-face mentoring. However, understanding the current state of online mentoring, particularly its content, form, and effectiveness compared to face-to-face mentoring, remains underexplored. This study examines the current status of online mentoring and whether differences exist across populations or mentoring modes. Using quantitative methods and questionnaire data, key findings reveal that online mentoring prioritises academic concerns over emotional care. Despite the availability of video-based technologies, text-based communication remains predominant, though visual technologies enhance mentoring effectiveness. Differences in the frequency and content of online mentoring were found across gender, academic level, and discipline. However, no significant differences were observed in satisfaction or perceived effectiveness between online and face-to-face mentoring. These results suggest that while online mentoring is effective, occasional face-to-face interactions may provide more comprehensive support for graduate students.