Comments on: Wired News: E-Tutors: Outsourcing the Coach

By: Rajani Unni

Rajani Unni — Sat, 11 Feb 2006 12:25:38 +0000

Dear Sean,
I am extremely interested to teach a needy child across continents.Teaching is my passion.Can you introduce me to any of these e-tutoring centres in US.I am a Biology teacher with 20 years of teaching experience.I am a widow too so this money would be of immense help to me.My husband died of cancer of the oesophagus, hence this request.Hoping to hear from you soon.I am an INDIAN living in CHENNAI which is in SOUTH INDIA.I am 52 years old working in a nearby school. Awaiting an early reply Sean…….

By: r balakrishnan

r balakrishnan — Thu, 15 Dec 2005 06:49:49 +0000

Dear Sir,
I can take E classes. I am an MA., M.Phil english lecturer.Email me if you are willing. Phone number 0422 5542394.

By: Kiley Thompson

Kiley Thompson — Sat, 19 Nov 2005 18:18:48 +0000

Well, I never thought that tutoring and technology would go hand in hand. However, I do have some concerns like the others that have posted. Is there a language barrier? Or, do the tutor they have speak fluent English? I would also think that direct communication would allow for a better playing field. I personally don’t have a problem with online, but some people need that personal level. I know that I don’t question if they are qualified or not. I realize that India has some very intelligent people, but I also know that the United States does as well, why can’t we do the same thing and keep jobs in the U.S.
So you see, I am not sure if this the approach I would take with my children. I am still on the fence about the whole thing, it is neat, butI feel that there are wholes in the program. The tutor, may inadvertantly be doing the students homework. They would not know otherwise.

By: sarah seager

sarah seager — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 21:55:17 +0000

This type of learning is great for some, but could be a nightmare for others. I personally would not be able to fully grasp the material (especially if it were geometry) with my tutor thousands of miles away. The face to face benefits greatly outweigh the benefits of this type of online learning. I just don’t see the point in taking a geometry class from someone in India, when you could probably have a tutor come right to your house. Sure, online learning is the new thing, and it does have many wonderful benefits, but this just doesn’t seem that great to me.

By: Wohlscheid

Wohlscheid — Sun, 13 Nov 2005 21:09:30 +0000

That’s pretty exciting to read about. I think this kind of technology will definately help students do better in school. While reading, I did think about how this could develop into actual classes that students could take online with teacher iteraction and all. The only question I would have is how much this would cost and if it’s any cheaper than hiring a tutor.

By: Amy Ballantyne

Amy Ballantyne — Sun, 13 Nov 2005 19:42:11 +0000

Wow! This is really interesting! I think that this is a wonderful way for students to use the internet. This is a really great idea for students who are struggling with a subject in school and need a little assistance, and for kids who do not have transportation to get them to a tutoring center. One of my questions, though, is how exactly does this work? Does the tutor just send problems over the computer for the student to do and then explain to the student how to do the problems by typing messages back and forth? I think that this would be pretty time consuming. It would probably just be easier for the child’s parents to hire a tutor that can come to their house. I just don’t understand how an online tutoring session would work. If somehow it did work and the students really comprehended what they learned then I think that this is a wonderful idea.

By: Nikki Paglia

Nikki Paglia — Sun, 13 Nov 2005 16:25:49 +0000

I have to agree with the other posts! I never heard of this form of tutoring but it seems like a great way to incorporate technology into education. I do also have my doubts about the system. Princton never mentioned anything about a language barrier and you would think that would be a problem when recieving instruction from a tutor from another country. As for some people questioning the credibility of the tutors wouldn’t there be information about the teachers when parents are learning about the tutors and filling out paper work to register their children? I think this form of tutoring is an excellent idea and seems to be very beneficial. That and it is less expensive than the private tutors offered in the United States. This could possibly lead to the changing of our system creating more jobs for U.S. teachers and more resources for the children. The technology involved in the tutoring helps to advance children in that area as well as what is being studied because they are learning to properly use different techniques of communication. scanners and programs. I think this tutoring is a great idea and I can not believe that I have not ever heard a word about it prior to responding to this blog.

By: Charity Overbeek

Charity Overbeek — Fri, 11 Nov 2005 19:13:22 +0000

Wow! Each session that goes by for ED205 I’m learning that technology is used for so much more than I ever could have imagined. Online turtoring would be great for some students. I think that if the tutors were getting paid for tutoring then they be qualified because otherwise would it not be considered internet fraud. You’re paying for a service so it has to be legitimate. I think that internet tutoring would be very difficult for math courses. Last night I was doing my statistics homework and I couldn’t figure out the right formula for standard deviation and standard error. On google I was able to find many formulas and most of them were the same but reading it and seeing still wasn’t enough for me. Today in class I asked my teacher and he was able to explain it. Sometimes direct communication is more beneficial. But it is still really great that tutors are available online. It is also a great thing that it is profitable.

By: Pearl Bailey

Pearl Bailey — Fri, 11 Nov 2005 19:00:10 +0000

I think this cool. But is it for real? How many companies are there that give bogus information? Are these sources creditable? I would worry about wether the information is accurate. Also because it is coming out of India is there a language barrier? These are some questions that I would consider before signing up. I think that online tutoring can be benificail to many people. Who would’t want to study with a professional from the comfort of their own home? Sounds great, but is it?

By: Heather Lapczynski

Heather Lapczynski — Tue, 08 Nov 2005 04:32:17 +0000

I think that online tutoring could be profitable but not necessarily the best way to go. For instance, I’m at home doing my homework the night before it’s due and I encounter a question but it’s too late to contact the instructor, how easy would it be to hop on my computer and ask my tutor. Although, in the article it didn’t state how qualified these tutors were. That would be a concern of mine, if I am paying this tutor how am I ensured that they know what they are talking about. I think this online tutoring is another way of incorporating technology into education. Some students might be too shy to let someone know that they need help but if they are doing it online and don’t have to meet face to face, they might feel more comfortable.