Objectives:

At the end of this session you should be able to:

1. Distinguish between the functions of tutor and counselor in distance education;
2. Describe the subsystem that is related to student management;
3. List several alternatives for tutor access; and
4. Describe the process of tutor recruitment, training, and monitoring.

Read one or more of the following Chapters:

• Simonson, et. al, Chapter 8
  
• http://www.uidaho.edu/evo/distglan.html, Guide #2

Refer to:

Kaye, A. and G. Rumble, Distance Teaching for Adult and Higher Education. Chapter 7, pp. 141-161. (On reserve in the CRC.)

Focus Questions:

1. What are the best sources for tutors? How are they selected?
2. What are some alternative approaches to tutor accessibility?
3. Which courses seem to require greater tutorial assistance?
4. What is the relationship of the tutor to the course development team?

This is where we begin to see some of the major differences between conventional instruction and distance education. The 3 basic interactions mentioned by the authors (learner-content; learner-instructor; and learner-learner) are the basic communication patterns in all distance education settings. We need to ask when each is appropriate, what "balance" we want to achieve among the three forms; and when "live" interaction is necessary and when "surrogate" interaction can be substituted. Remember, this is not teacher replacement but change of teacher role.

Here are some additional resources beyond those already listed in the Readings & Resources area.

World Lecture Hall
http://www.utexas.edu/world/lecture/

Basic issues involved in Web-based instruction
http://www.caso.com

Reminder: Assignment #4 is due at the next session. Any problems? Contact your instructor.