Who is an E-tutor?

An E-tutor is a teacher / instructor for one-to-one online, virtual classes.

How does E-tutoring work?

With the use of advanced technology, the student and the tutor interact in an online, virtual classroom. The teacher and the student have a two-way audio dialogue using special hands-free headsets with microphones, hooked up to their respective computers.

They share the same electronic whiteboard and exchange questions and answers in writing, which are displayed on their computer screens. Though they are not physically sitting face-to-face, a real-time, one-to-one environment is created. The tutoring service is intended to supplement and not substitute classroom learning.

What do you need to become an E-tutor?

1. Educational Qualification  

• A Masters degree in the subject you intend to teach
• If not a Masters then a Bachelors in Education (BEd) degree would be a prerequisite

2. Work Experience

• Two years or more as a qualified teacher would be an asset
• Additional expertise in conducting tuitions for a few years would also be beneficial

3. Computer

• A PC (Pentium II or above), with Windows 2000/XP (or latest version) with soundcard
• USB port and Internet Service Provider (ISP)
• 56K (or faster) modem, or for best performance, a high-speed connection like DSL or cable or broadband connection
• A headset/microphone combo, digital writing pad and digital pencils are provided in the introductory kits of most e-tutorial centres

4. Soft Skills

• Basic knowledge of MS Office
• Typing speed
• Comfort in using audio/video software and other latest tools used to aid the learning process

5. Materials

Most teaching materials are provided by the tutorial centres that require your service. The course content/teaching material is developed by professional content developers. However, your assistance may be required to develop your subject content. You would need to assess and evaluate periodic tests. Tutors also interact with parents to give a feedback about the performance of students.

6. Time

You would be required to adjust to the time schedule of students worldwide. If tutoring a student in the US, you may have to schedule your time as per the students' convenient time of returning from school. Each student is normally tutored for a period of two hours per week. Each session generally lasts for 1 hour. Additional hours are taught only if the students require.

7. Training Required

Your expertise in the subject and work experience would make it easy for you to step in. However, if you are new to computers and lack the basic knowledge required, you could enrol for a basic computer course at a reputed training centre.

8.  Investment Required

• Basic computer course  (NIIT offers the basic programme for Rs. 990)
• Specialised computer skills can be acquired for Rs. 5,000 - Rs 6,000
• If not working with an e-tutoring centre, you would have to incur the additional cost of buying a computer to work from home (approx. Rs. 20,000)