Online Tutoring

About Online Tutoring

Have you always wanted to tutor, but felt like you just didn't have the time? Now you do. TOV has partnered with Innovations for Learning to bring you an opportunity to tutor a child without ever leaving your computer! TOV tutors are currently working with first grade students at Chicago Public Schools' George Manierre School.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does online tutoring work?
At the beginning of each session, the tutor logs onto the Innovations for Learning website. The classroom schedule, notes from the students’ teachers and other tutoring resources are available on the website.

How will I communicate with my student?
Tutors use WebEx, an online meeting program. Innovations for Learning provides a CD of stories, activities and games for each tutor to work through with students on WebEx. Through WebEx, tutors and students can see the same thing on their computer screens at the same time. The tutor calls the classroom to speak with the student over the phone. The student reads through stories with the tutor. The tutor listens and helps with any difficulties the student encounters. The tutor is able to type and draw on the computer screen during the tutoring session; the student sees all markings the tutor makes in real time.

How do I keep track of each session?
Each tutor maintains a log on the Innovations for Learning website where notes are recorded after each tutoring session to track student progress. Tutors can check the log before tutoring to remember where they left off at the end of the last tutoring session. Both tutors and students’ teachers have access to these notes.

Can I participate if I have never tutored before?
Yes, absolutely! No experience is necessary—just a desire to help students learn to read! TOV will help you with the rest through training and the advice of experienced teachers.

What do I need to tutor online?
All you need is a computer with a cable or DSL Internet connection and a separate phone line. Please note that you will need to download software onto your computer to use WebEx. If you will be tutoring from a computer in your office, you need to make sure you have company permission to download and save the software onto your computer.

What is the time commitment for online tutoring?
Online tutoring requires approximately 40 minutes per week and a commitment to tutor for the entire school year. A thirty-minute tutoring time slot is assigned to each tutor/student pair based on tutor availability. The tutor calls the classroom to work with the student at the same day and time each week. Each pair also receives an alternate tutoring time. All tutoring time slots are scheduled during the regular school day. In addition, tutors should set aside a few minutes before the tutoring session to log on and prepare the lesson as well as a few minutes after the tutoring session to make notes in the tutor log.

I’m not very good with computers; is there training on how to work the computer programs?
We do require online tutors to have basic computer skills. In addition, all online tutors are required to attend both an orientation session and a conference call to learn how to use the computer programs. Finally, tutors are given instruction sheets with tutoring tips and instructions for games and activities to work on with their students.

Do I ever get to meet the student I am tutoring?
At the beginning of the school year a meet-and-greet is held at the school so tutors can meet their students. An end-of-year party is also scheduled at the end of tutoring. Both the meet-and-greet and the end-of-year party are usually held during the lunch hour.

How do I let my student know if I will not be able to tutor at our regular time?
It is not necessary to call the school the day of tutoring to let the teacher and student know you will not be calling at your normal tutoring time. When you call, the student is participating in normal classroom activities. If you do not call, the student will simply continue to participate in those activities.

You may call at your alternate time to make up for the missed session without notifying the teacher and student. If you know you will not be able to tutor in advance, you can tell the student you will not be calling the following week. Some tutors choose to tutor both at their regular and alternate times one week if they know they will miss the following week or to make up for a session that was missed in a previous week.