Whether it is a website that provides learning services for a special field or an offline university that is expanding its faculties and providing online courses to better suit the needs of its students, there is a growth in online schools because more people are turning to the internet for an education. The growing number of online schools has created a job market for online tutors.

Online tutors support students who are doing courses online. Some of them support students who are doing offline courses but need extra help in the course.

Online tutors typically arrange their own hours to suit their workload and the needs of their students. Working hours can be extended to evenings and weekends.


Job Description

Online tutors have three roles:

The tutor or subject expert One of the roles of the tutor is to fill in any gaps and clarify any misunderstanding. They also point the student to sources of information.
The coach

The second role is for the tutor to act as a coach, or mentor. They help the student to achieve their goals by challenging, encouraging and providing constructive feedback.

The assessor

The tutor will also have to act as an assessor and check to make sure that the student is achieving the learning objectives.

Online tutors help students to develop their study skills, and give support via telephone or electronic methods.
Methods of communication

Email

Online tutors rely on email to answer student’s questions and send them lessons and practice tests.

Message board

Much like email students have the opportunity to ask the tutor questions any time of the day. The tutor can responds during regular work hours. This method is beneficial for groups of students learning a similar subject; they can read and discuss the course among themselves.

Chat program

Chat programs give more one-on-one interaction between the learner and the tutor. Also the tutor can answer questions immediately.

Instant messenger

This method works similar to chat programs. The only difference is you don’t have to install it and many services offer a free download.

Video conferencing

Requirements

Online tutors are either graduates or hold a graduate degree. You must have knowledge of the subject you are teaching. Depending on the type and level of the course you may be expected to show your subject knowledge by having one of the following:

-A relevant degree, professional or vocational qualification
-A relevant qualification at least one level above the level of the course you tutor
-Years of relevant experience

In addition to formal education, online tutors need to have the following personal requirements:

-Organized
-Enthusiastic about the subject they are teaching
-Able to motivate students
-Willing to work with students from a wide range of backgrounds
-Technologically savvy
-Good communication skills
-Patient and supportive

Online tutors are employed by training providers or they are self-employed. If you’re going to be a freelance tutor you will need a website to promote your services.

Wages

On average tutors can earn $25-$75 an hour. The annual average is 35,000 a year. Those in high percentage can make 60,000 a year.

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