A quick guide on how to become a successful online tutor Online tutoring is a popular and convenient way of seeking additional help by students and earning additional income for the tutors. However it is important to realize the distinction between teaching face-to-face and teaching online. Teachers need to acquire some additional skills and tips of teaching a remotely located learner. Despite the challenges it is a lucrative and highly paid career once you are established as a good online tutor.
Challenges of online tutoring Non-Traditional Learners: Online tutoring throws up varied types of learners at the doors of the tutor. Connecting with them and imparting knowledge is a challenge. Adopt a tailor made approach to deal with each student in online tutoring. Begin with relating to the learner’s needs, learning environment and potential to learn. Once you establish the right rapport with the learner your teacher’s instincts will ensure an enhanced teaching and learning experience. Keeping it creative & motivated: Unlike the brick and mortar classrooms a uniform method of information followed by a quiz will not hold for long. It is necessary to plan your lesson delivery in a creative and engaging way. Keep the learner motivated during the process of tutoring with meaningful learning activities that enhance their knowledge and skills. Staying Updated: Professional development in terms of subject and technology has to be addressed through tutorials, online seminars or instructional designer groups. The technology is changing and updating so rapidly that it keeps the online tutors on their toes to stay on par with their learners. CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS
How to teach online?
Identify your area of expertise and choose to teach the same to have an edge. You need to prepare well, both in terms of your subject and technology to enter in this rapidly growing field of tutoring online. Always be on the right side of the law by learning and following the academic rules and regulations of the demographic location your learners belong to. You may be the master of your subject; however, it is important to understand the curriculum to plan the lessons accordingly to maximize the e-learning experience. Adopt a creative and interactive teaching methodology. Do not allow passive learning, keep it active and let the learner do the most under your guidance. Lead the student to discover the learning points.
Remember that if you fail to prepare for the class, it means you are prepared to fail the learner. Plan and organize well in advance, as being over prepared is better than running out of ideas through the class. Be an effective listener, encourage the students to speak up and discuss to understand what they fail to grasp so that your future lesson planning can bridge those gaps. Broaden your social media presence. Participate in webinars and online forums of your subject related groups. Write articles and blogs detailing your experiences and learning points. Be a proud online tutor; remember that your students are your best spokes persons. Display their positive testimonials on relevant social media platforms and blogs.
Where are the opportunities and how to seek them? There are several online learning platforms that invite freelance online tutors. Register with them. Most of them offer basic preparation guidelines, if not you can also take some short online courses in developing creative and interactive lessons. Once you start with few learners’ post you experience on social media, contact friends, relatives and encourage them to refer new students seeking online tutoring in your subject. Once you catch the tricks of the trade and want to go into online tutoring on your own, set up a website and create a PayPal account for online payments to be made. Note that having a payment gateway to accept credit and debit cards helps in getting more clients. There are many organizations that offer software required to tutor online along with the technical know how training. MGRM Net Limited is one of them who have been in the business of improving learning experiences of many students by bringing them and tutors on a single platform. Visit MGRMNet.com and contact if you are interested in making a career as an online tutor.