Mentoring sessions are essential to help you move forward in your journey. Be sure to check out our guide on how to make the most of your mentoring sessions.
How sessions work
Your regular mentoring sessions are conducted weekly via videoconference. These sessions last:
- 30 minutes if you’re an independent (self-paid) learner
- 45 minutes if your training is funded by a third-party organization
The first mentoring session is called a discovery session . During this session, your mentor gets to know you: your training, experience, professional project but also your schedule. This is an opportunity for you to discuss the kind of support you may need (schedules based on your availability, accommodations if you have a disability, etc.).
You will receive an email when your mentor schedules a session as well as a reminder 48 hours prior to your session. This reminder allows you to prepare for the session, or cancel if need be.
Please note, it is very important to notify your mentor in advance if you are not available for a session and wish to postpone it. If your course is financed by a third-party organization, such as your employer, or through government funding; be aware that your missed sessions will be added to your file. Also note that missed sessions cannot be made up.
The video tool
We offer a video conferencing tool that allows you to host sessions directly on our platform. We recommend that you use the OpenClassrooms tool for the sessions, but you still have the option of using an external tool, so long as you coordinate with your mentor.
You will find the link to join the video in the My Sessions tab on your dashboard. Click Join video , and a new tab will open.
Before the video
Before the video, there is a connection test which can last up to 30 seconds.
If you wish, you can skip the test, but we recommend that you let the test run to completion during your first login. This will allow us to provide you with the best possible experience with the tool, depending on your internet connection.
Depending on the results of your internet connection test, you may receive a warning message. These messages are meant to help you set up the video call in the best conditions for your mentoring session.
Before connecting, you have the ability to:
- disable/enable the microphone
- enable/disable the camera
- enable/disable the background blur filter
- and configure your settings
In the settings, you can select the audio and video sources you want to use.
Once you are ready to join the call, they can click the "Join Video" button.
During the video
Wait for the other participant.
If the participant is the first to join, they will see the following message:
Once the video is launched, you can also configure the various parameters in the action bar at the bottom of the page .
During the call, you can:
- Enable/disable the microphone
- Enable/disable the camera
- Leave the call
- Enable/disable screen sharing
- View other functions:
- configure settings
- enable/disable picture-in-picture mode
- enable /disable background blur filter
Here are the different options possible from the action bar:
- Disable camera
- Mute the microphone
- Exit the video
- Share screen
- Update settings
You can also send and receive messages in the chat at the top right of the page.
After the video
You will have three options:
- Go to the dashboard
- Return to the video call if you left it due to a technical problem
- Send a comment (always welcome)
Project Assessments
Some sessions are dedicated to the assessment of your projects. They require a little preparation to present your project to an evaluator. An evaluator is a mentor who has specific skills allowing them to evaluate and validate your project. Your assessor will always be different from your primary mentor (i.e., the one who works with you on a weekly basis).
Your regular mentor will explain to you how best to prepare for your defense.