Online tutors or e-tutors support students who are doing courses on the internet.

Their work can include:

• making contact with new students, helping to build their confidence and understanding of the course
• helping students to develop their study skills
• being a point of contact for students' course and study queries
• giving support by telephone and electronic methods such as email
• helping students to set up discussion forums and chat rooms
• taking part in audio and video conferencing
• conducting ’virtual classrooms’ (classes conducted through web technology)
• assessing students' work and giving feedback.

Hours and Environment

As an online tutor you will usually arrange your own working times to suit your workload and the needs of your students. This is likely to involve sometimes working in the evenings and at weekends. You may do tutoring part-time alongside another job. 

You will usually work from home, and will need an internet connection, preferably broadband.

Skills and Interests

To be an online tutor you should:

• be fully IT literate 
• have an interest in new technological developments
• be enthusiastic about your subject and able to motivate students
• have a keen interest and wide experience in your subject 
• be able to communicate clearly and tactfully 
• be patient, supportive and able to build students' confidence 
• be willing to work with students from a wide range of backgrounds 
• have good organisational skills.

Entry

To become an online tutor you will need:

• knowledge of the subject you will be teaching
• teaching, training or tutoring experience
• good IT skills.

Depending on the type and level of course, you could 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 - for example an A level to teach GCSE)
• a number of years relevant experience.

Entry requirements vary widely, so it is best to check with employers.

It could be useful if you have a relevant training or teaching qualification, such as a Certificate or Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), a City and Guilds further education teaching qualification or NVQ Level 3, 4 or 5 in Learning and Development. See the Lecturer: Further Education profile for more information.

You could do a course leading to an e-learning qualification before looking for work as an online tutor, although this is not always essential. You can find a list of some of the relevant qualifications in the Training section below.

Training

As a new on-line tutor you may receive in-house training from your employer. You could also study for a qualification such as:

• LeTTOL (Learning to Teach online) or Net-Trainers qualification
• Joint Examination Board Level 3 Certificate in the Educational Use of the Internet
• TAP certificates from the Training Foundation in e-learning tutoring, training, development or management skills - completion of three certificates leads to the Diploma in e-Learning Skills
• postgraduate courses in online or distance learning - available at universities across the country, often part-time or by distance learning.

For details of these courses, visit the individual organisations' websites. There are links in Further Information below.

By joining the Institute of IT Training you can gain professional recognition and access to career and training advice and networking opportunities. Visit the Institute's website for details - there is a link in Further Information below.

Opportunities

Online tutors are employed by training providers, or may be self-employed.

Once you have gained experience, you may be able to move into other areas of online education, such as course development, management or consultancy.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Average pay for an online tutor is around £18 per hour.
Depending on the learning provider and the skills offered by the tutor, pay rates vary from £8 to £30 per hour.

Further information

Tel: 0114 260 3637 www.tap-training.com 5th Floor
St Andrew’s House
18-20 St Andrew Street
London
EC4A 3AY
Information and Advice Service: 020 7936 5798
Email: advice@lluk.org Online Learning
The Sheffield College
Castle Centre Northside
Granville Road
Sheffield
S2 2RL
Tel: 0114 260 3637 0845 006 8858 30A Dyer Street
Cirencester
Gloucestershire
GL7 2PF
Tel: 01285 641747