Digital Mentoring as an Innovative Way to Support Students in the University Educational Environment

This article explores the social role and signifi cance of mentoring in the context of digitalization, exploring digital mentoring as a new pedagogical practice that integrates the capabilities of information and communication technologies with traditional forms of student support. The results of the theoretical phase of the study are presented. Various interpretations of the concept of “digital mentoring” and synonymous terms (“e-mentoring”, “online mentoring”, “remote mentoring”, and “virtual mentoring”) are considered. A working defi nition of digital mentoring is chosen: as part of a holistic educational environment in which pedagogical interaction is built using digital services and platforms. The distinctive features of the digital mentoring format, the digital tools used in its implementation, and its shortcomings and limitations are highlighted. It is concluded that digital mentoring off ers a promising format for interaction between participants in educational relationships, provided it is institutionalized and mentors are trained to use digital tools.