Below are some of the main careers that can be found
within Online Tutor.
Job Description
Online tutors or e-tutors guide students through an
internet learning experience. They support and enable learners to
achieve their goals by identifying and facilitating their individual
learning styles. Their primary role is to develop a rapport with a
tutorial group and add a human touch to the process of learning. They
may encourage discussions, explore ideas and review other's
contributions in light of their subject knowledge.
Online tutors interact with their tutorial group through:
- email
- ’virtual classrooms’ (ie a class conducted
through web technology)
- discussion forums and chat rooms
- text and web pages
- audio and video conferencing.
They sometimes arrange and host discussions in real
time (synchronous) or on other occasions deal with enquires in a
regular but asynchronous (not in real time) way. Online tutors need to
manage and prioritise their workload effectively, as they are likely
to have an ever-full email inbox.
Tutors enter into individual dialogues with their students and try to
build their confidence and develop their understanding of the
material. They may also set assignments and assess learner's
performance. Their key aim is to facilitate learning, and encourage
learners to be well-motivated and independent in their learning.
Tutors potentially work in a wide variety of contexts. They can work
in government organisations, corporate training, adult community
education or in higher education. They could offer administrative and
technical support, advice and guidance, knowledge of a subject
specialism, learner assessments and some may even design their own
course materials.
Working Environment
Online tutors may work on flexible, part-time
assignments. An assignment would involve working with a group of
learners for the duration of the course. This typically involves some
hours of daily commitment. Tutors are usually independent and manage
their workload to suit their own schedule. They may have to be
available for some pre-arranged times each day for synchronous events.
Online tutors may work evenings and weekends often at their own
convenience.
Online tutors can work in any environment they choose to as long as
they have access to an internet connection, preferably broadband. Many
will work at a desk from home. Some online tutors are directly
employed by organisations to tutor online alongside other work.
Related Skills
To be an online tutor you should:
- be enthusiastic, inspiring and able to motivate
others
- have a keen interest and wide experience in a
relevant subject matter
- be able to communicate clearly and tactfully
using internet technologies
- be patient and supportive of learners
- be persistent in focusing learners
- be assertive and take the initiative
- be fully IT literate and a proficient user of
internet technologies
- have good organisational skills
- have an interest in new technological
developments
- have a professional manner.
Career Opportunities
Online tutors can develop into e-learning professionals
running their own e-learning projects. They may also become
self-employed.
Online tutors may move into other areas of online educational
delivery, for example course development, management or consultancy.
ANNUAL INCOME
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
Average pay for an online tutor is around £18 per tutor hour although
this may include preparation time.
Depending on the learning provider and the skills offered by the
tutor, pay rates vary from £8 through to £30.
Tutors may be paid a fixed fee per tutor group per hour or a fixed fee
per learner support hour which would depend on course uptake.
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