Bangalore: Tired of travelling long distances in dense traffic conditions to coaching centres and back? On-line tutoring or e-tutoring could be a viable and hassle-free alternative.

E-tutoring provides live, on-line coaching, homework help and focused examination preparation from the best tutors, irrespective of geographical location, leading to higher grades and motivated students — all from the comfort and safety of the student's home.

The subjects covered are mathematics, science (physics, chemistry, biology) and English across a range of curricula, including the national boards, the State boards, and the international curricula.

It also provides intensive on-line preparation for competitive examinations such as SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT. This system of learning has many advantages.

There is a high degree of personal interaction as the sessions are one-on-one with the student receiving the tutor's undivided attention. Since the tutor and the student interact using real-time, live audio and shared whiteboard, the tutor can keep the student engaged and focused on the tutoring and the tutor can proceed at the pace of each student, designing the sessions to suit the student's learning style. The sessions are highly interactive. Effective use of audio, visuals and multimedia can often bring a topic to life and add the "real-world" dimension to an otherwise abstract concept.

"For parents, a very important parameter in the selection of a tutorial for a student is the safety and fatigue factor. Long distance travel, often in dense traffic conditions, results in student fatigue and lack of concentration.

E-tutoring helps in overcoming this problem that almost all parents face. Moreover, coaching centres are a replica of a classroom, but e-tutoring is an inter-active one-on-one", says Madhumita Saha and Bhooma Krishnan, co-promoters of Learning Unbound, a Bangalore-based e-tutoring outfit.

The programmes are tailored to each student's needs after a combined assessment with the parent, student and if required the schoolteacher as well.

"Learning is a very individual phenomenon. Each student is offered personalised learning and individual interaction with a coach. Initially, a diagnostic assessment test is given to identify the student's strengths and needs. This is then cemented in the form of a learning contract with the students and their parents. The coaching is one-on-one and live using voice and a shared whiteboard. Additionally, each student is assigned a mentor who is responsible for the student's learning needs. A variety of examples and illustrations build interest and enhance motivation while worksheets enhance problem-solving skills," says Ms Saha.

Learning Unbound charges Rs. 150 to Rs. 400 per hour depending upon the intensity of tutoring. A student who signs in will have to stay for a minimum of three months to "see results".

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu