Online Tutoring and the Offshoring of Education

Abstract

With the rise of the Internet, tutoring – one-on-one adultto-child instruction – has moved into the virtual realm. Now, widespread access to increasingly sophisticated and inexpensive computer equipment combined with economic considerations have resulted in the tutoring business moving offshore, particularly to India. This paper explores the resulting debate about the appropriateness and effectiveness of offshore, online tutoring and what makes for quality online tutoring in general.