The term online tutor originated only recently with the global computer internet connectivity
. The enterprising educationists saw this as a tool to propagate teaching. Thus began the journey of virtual class rooms where strong currency nations engaged qualified teachers from weak currency nations to tutor students through computer after school hours. The interface is the whiteboard for written work and explanations are made audible through voice software and headphones. The teachers engaged were qualified with a basic teaching degree; they are further trained through the internet in accent classes. The new trend delighted many but the core educationists were apprehensive of its long term repercussions.
Man is a social animal and enjoys face to face interactions. This basic need is fulfilled in class room situations. The judgement of each other is based not just on knowledge but also through body language eye expressions and the facial muscle movements. The teacher through these reading knows whether a concept has been understood or not. The students cannot leave the class without the permission of the teacher. All these parameters are lacking in a virtual class.
Once the teacher is online she has no control if the student vanishes midway through the class. In formative years the child is not able to handle technology on his own and is easily distracted when communication is incomprehensive to him.
There are certain other educational areas where technology is the only method to learn. In language learning tape recorder and cassettes work wonderfully for practice sessions. In the same way college students who enrol with far flung foreign universities for studies find computers very useful. Here the weekend contact classes are taken seriously and students benefit from virtual classes.
At present the classroom teaching has to be supplemented by virtual class rooms. Global interaction through technology can fill the gap of alienation, making the coming generation socially apt and confident in handling communities and technology. It is a wise decision to spend money in creating skilled teachers who at their discretion will charter the technology laden path.