Mentoring in Formal and Informal Contexts - Essential Adult Education

In this review of Mentoring in Formal and Informal Contexts the editors assemble a thematic collection that will matter to professors, researchers, and practitioners in adult education. The book's single biggest reason to buy is its breadth: chapters written by experienced contributors connect mentoring practice and research across settings such as health care, education, and the workplace, making it a useful reference for those designing or studying mentorship programs. Readers looking for applied examples and scholarly framing will find this volume particularly practical and timely.

Key Features

• Thematic organization: Chapters are arranged by context so readers can quickly find material relevant to health care, education, workplace, and community settings.
• Editor expertise: Edited by Kathy Peno, Elaine Silva Mangiante, and Rita Kenahan, the book collects contributors identified through AHEA who bring documented experience and publications in mentoring.
• Research and practice balance: The collection mixes empirical research and practice-based research to support both scholarship and hands-on mentoring program development.
• Audience focus: Content is written with professors, researchers, practitioners, and students in mind, offering usable frameworks and discussion for instruction and study.
• Scope of contexts: Coverage spans multiple organizational and community contexts, helping readers compare mentoring approaches across sectors.

Who It's For

This collection is best suited for academics and graduate students studying adult education who need a current edited volume that situates mentoring across diverse settings. It also serves practitioners and program designers in organizations who want research-informed options for structuring mentoring efforts.

Those seeking a single-author how-to manual or a step-by-step implementation guide may want a different, practice-focused title; this volume emphasizes thematic, research-oriented chapters rather than detailed procedural templates.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Wide contextual range lets readers compare mentoring models across sectors.
• Strong editorial curation from established figures ensures contributors are experienced and relevant.
• Useful mix of research and practice-based accounts supports both scholarship and application.

Cons

• As an edited collection, chapter styles and depth vary, so readers may need to select chapters rather than read cover to cover.

Specifications

Our Verdict

Mentoring in Formal and Informal Contexts is a thoughtful, well-curated edited volume that delivers comparative insights across multiple mentoring environments, making it good value for scholars and program designers who need a contemporary, research-informed reference. Its greatest strength is the thematic arrangement that allows targeted reading; buyers who want cohesive, uniform chapter style should anticipate some variation between contributions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this volume include practical examples for program design?
The book contains practice-based research and applied accounts, but it is organized thematically rather than as a step-by-step implementation manual.

Who selected the contributors?
Contributors were identified and invited through AHEA by the volume editors for their demonstrated experience or publications in mentoring.

Is this suitable for classroom adoption?
Yes. Instructors and graduate students in adult education will find chapters useful as readings for courses on mentoring, adult learning, or organizational development.