Resource of the Week #44: Skype—An Aid to Mentoring and More

Hello again. Usually our Resource of the Week is a source of content. This week our resource is one that can aid the communication process.

The resource I’m referring to is Skype. Many AuthorAID members already use Skype. For readers not familiar with Skype, let me say a little about it. And for everyone, let me say a little about using Skype in mentoring.

Skype is an online service through which people can talk with each other for free through computers. One can make either voice-only calls or video calls. For a fee, one can also use other services, such as computer-to-telephone calling.

For mentors and mentees, Skype can be a valuable service. Calling by Skype can facilitate exchange of ideas. And hearing each other’s voices can aid rapport.

I’ve used Skype in mentoring 3 times in the last 2 weeks. The first 2 calls were with an AuthorAID mentee almost halfway around the world. The third call was with a graduate student of mine who is doing an internship elsewhere in America. In the calls, we had deeper discussions than would have been feasible by e-mail.

A fine aid to mentoring!

Until the next post— Barbara