Entrepreneur utilizes Indian tutors in online service
by Kathleen Hebblewaite
Issue date: 11/9/07 Section: News
Dr. John Stuppy, president of the online tutoring service TutorVista, said his company offers an option to students who seek academic assistance. According to Stuppy, TutorVista provides an opportunity for students to receive attention they may not have access to in group-tutoring sessions, such as the ones offered by the university's Academic Enrichment Center.
TutorVista's service, used by approximately 10,000 students in the United States, offers three ways a student and tutor can interact via computer.
First, the student must download the site's free application, Stuppy said. Once students are set up with the program, they can talk to their tutor using voice-over-Internet-protocol, which allows people to make phone calls using a broadband Internet connection. They can also communicate using an interactive "white board" which both parties can write on and view simultaneously and a service, similar to AOL Instant Messenger, in which student and teacher can converse electronically.
"I think we've definitely seen an increase starting about last summer," Stuppy said. "College students are comfortable with technology. It's a natural way of using the computer and sharing these resources."
William Kardine, a physics and math tutor at the AEC since Fall 2006, said he has not heard of students using services such as TutorVista, but suspects the system might be faulty.
"Sometimes you need to see someone work a problem in front of you and I don't think you can do it over the phone," Kardine said. "It's hard enough that students have someone in front of them who can barely speak English."
Amber Brooks, a graduate student and a Spanish tutor, said she prefers teaching in person.
"It's easier when they're face-to-face because they can show me what they've been working on," Brooks said.
Michael McClay, assistant director of the AEC, said tutors are required to have at least a 3.0 grade point average as well as a B-plus or higher in the subject they plan to tutor, a written recommendation, a second reference and a copy of their transcript. There is also an interview.
TutorVista's service, used by approximately 10,000 students in the United States, offers three ways a student and tutor can interact via computer.
First, the student must download the site's free application, Stuppy said. Once students are set up with the program, they can talk to their tutor using voice-over-Internet-protocol, which allows people to make phone calls using a broadband Internet connection. They can also communicate using an interactive "white board" which both parties can write on and view simultaneously and a service, similar to AOL Instant Messenger, in which student and teacher can converse electronically.
"I think we've definitely seen an increase starting about last summer," Stuppy said. "College students are comfortable with technology. It's a natural way of using the computer and sharing these resources."
William Kardine, a physics and math tutor at the AEC since Fall 2006, said he has not heard of students using services such as TutorVista, but suspects the system might be faulty.
"Sometimes you need to see someone work a problem in front of you and I don't think you can do it over the phone," Kardine said. "It's hard enough that students have someone in front of them who can barely speak English."
Amber Brooks, a graduate student and a Spanish tutor, said she prefers teaching in person.
"It's easier when they're face-to-face because they can show me what they've been working on," Brooks said.
Michael McClay, assistant director of the AEC, said tutors are required to have at least a 3.0 grade point average as well as a B-plus or higher in the subject they plan to tutor, a written recommendation, a second reference and a copy of their transcript. There is also an interview.
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