Abstract:

The dropout rate for university computer science courses in Hungary is higher than average [1]. Although universities are increasingly enrolling more students in IT courses in response to labour market needs, the strict admission requirements do not justify attritions. Mentor classes introduced in 2006 to reduce dropouts, were extended in 2016 to include a course on learning methods. The university foundation and learning methodology course is compulsory for all first-year students. The two main components of the course are a 30-hour training session led by a psychologist trainer and regular weekly mentor classes according to the timetable. This article reports on the tasks and experiences of the mentor classes from an instructor's point of view.
The main goal is to help the students adapt to the changed circumstances, which is not an easy task for students with a computer-linked and often introverted personality [2]. In addition to the stress of a new environment and new mates, students are also going through a life-period transition as they grow into adulthood, when they start their studies at university. In mentor classes, there are conversations to identify potential issues and sources of stress and work together to find solutions. The mentor teacher is the moderator, who helps to find the way out for students, who is assisted by a senior student who has successfully gone through these changes and adaptation 1-2 years earlier. Another important task is to develop the students' soft skills, the ability to work in a team, cooperation skills, and communication skills, so that every student can be involved in the conversations. The mentor classes help students' career orientation and increase their engagement in IT. All of this develops students' self-knowledge, and the recognition and awareness of students' talent potential, which is also important in IT education.
During the course, students are not assessed; the integration and progression of students, or their possible dropout assesses the work of the instructor. In the 7 years since the course was introduced, the dropout rate has fallen by almost 30% [1], which confirms the justification for mentor classes.

Keywords:

Group mentoring, mentor class, computer science education, soft skills, dropout.