Learning Material

COURSE: ICT IN TEACHING AND LEARNING

MODULE-1: EDUCATION IN INFORMATION AGE

Unit-1.1: Emerging Trends of ICT in Online Teaching and

Learning
Lesson-1.1.3: Roles and Functions of E-Tutor in Online Teaching and Learning

Dr. K. James Mathai, Associate Professor,

National Institute of Technical Teachers’ Training & Research,
Shamla Hills, Bhopal M.P.INDIA 462002
 COURSE: ICT IN TEACHING AND LEARNING MODULE-1: EDUCATION IN INFORMATION AGE
M1U1: Lesson-1.1.3: Roles & Functions of E-Tutors In Online Teaching And Learning

ICT IN TEACHING AND LEARNING

OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE
The participants (means teachers or potential teacher) of this course will be able to:
Integrate ethically appropriate pedagogy of Information and Communication Technology
(ICT) into Teaching- Learning Process for a given situation.
Learning Outcomes:
The participants (means teachers or potential teacher) of this course will be able to:
i). Select an appropriate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Teacher
Directed Learning(TDL) and Learner Directed Learning(LDL) situation Week-1 & 2
ii). Integrate an appropriate ICT pedagogy into Teaching-Learning Process (Open
Educational Resources Video and Interactive video tutorials, Virtual Lab, Virtual Reality,
Individualized learning, Blended learning and Flipped Learning, Small Private Online Course (SPOC),
Massive Open Online Course(MOOC) and mlearning) Week-2, 3 & 4
iii). Fortify the ethical- intellectual property rights /copyright handling, legal, security and
Software related issues in using ICT. Week-4

Structure of Module - 1 Learning Material

Page No.
LESSON: 1.1.3

1.0 Introduction 1
2.0 Roles of E-Tutor in Online Teaching and Learning 1
3.0 Functions of E-Tutor in Online Teaching and Learning 3
4.0 Summary 4

Discussion Forum Topics 4

References and Further readings 4

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 COURSE: ICT IN TEACHING AND LEARNING MODULE-1: EDUCATION IN INFORMATION AGE
M1U1: Lesson-1.1.3: Roles & Functions of E-Tutors In Online Teaching and Learning

LESSON-1.1.3: ROLE AND FUNCTIONS OF E-TUTOR IN ONLINE TEACHING AND

LEARNING

Learning Outcomes:
 Summarize the desired change in the roles and functions of a Teacher/ e-
tutors in using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for
online teaching and learning.

Glossary:
e- Tutor
e-content
e-tutorial
1.0 INTRODUCTION
In the previous lesson we have discussed various modes of ICT for Learners Directed
Learning (LDL). The various ICT enabled learning are- Open Educational Resources Video and
Interactive video tutorials, Virtual Lab, Individualize learning, Blended learning and Flipped
Learning, Small Private Online Course (SPOC), Massive Open Online Course(MOOC) and
mobile learning.
Apart from change in primary role of teachers as e-tutors as facilitator, guide, coach and a
mentor; there are many other important roles and functions that a teacher has to perform
to launch an ICT enabled online course. Broadly, these roles and functions would require to
design, develop, manage and administer a online course.
2.0 ROLES OF TEACHER AS E-TUTOR IN ONLINE TEACHING AND LEARNING
The role of teacher as e-tutor in using ICT for teaching and learning is the key for success in
e-learning. There is change in roles and functions (Mathai K.James, 2000, Miguel Ángel
Fernández Jiméneza etal. (2017))[1] that e-tutor must perform when compared to
traditional teachers’ teaching and learning method. E-Tutor/Teacher as facilitator and
learner remain central to the learning process. The roles can be summarized as below.
 Teacher Directed Learning (TDL)- The teacher in a classroom situation can use ICT tools
such as computer system, digital tablets, laptops, interactive electronic boards, LCD
projector and resources like Presentation, e-content, virtual labs etc. for delivery of any
instruction. These technology tools can be used for teaching in blended mode.
Depending upon the use of ICT tools and resources, the primary role of a etutor is as
facilitator guide, couch and a mentor.

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M1U1: Lesson-1.1.3: Roles & Functions of E-Tutors In Online Teaching and Learning

 Learner Directed Learning (LDL)- As the teacher moves from classroom teaching to
online learning mode utilizing ICTs, there is a shift in his/her role of teacher as a
facilitator, guide, couch and a mentor. This does not obviate the need for e-tutor to
perform the role like any classroom traditional teacher with good leadership skills and
practices are still important. This is to ensure effective lesson planning, designing,
delivery, assessment and follow-up. Teaching with ICTs in online mode takes more time,
and require both; shift in pedagogical practices and strategies. Based on the
pedagogical aspect of use of ICT, there are times when teachers have to play multiple
roles. The various roles (along with primary roles) of a teacher/e-tutor w.r.t. as a
designer and delivery of instructions are:

i). Facilitator, Guide, Couch and a Mentor- The increasing use of ICTs requires
change in conventional role of teacher as a talking head or presenter in a
classroom situation to a facilitator. This change in role is necessitated due to the
creation of ICT based democratic, flexible, and interactive learning environment.
Therefore the teacher as a facilitator make available the technology and learning
e-resources to the learners and as a guide coach and mentor engages in the
teaching and learning process.
ii). Instructional Designer- Instructional design is process by which a designer; lay
down the specifications for quality of instruction using learning and instructional
theories. The entire process of analysis of learning needs, development and
implementation of the educational tools and resource to help others to achieve
their learning outcomes. The teacher when prepares a structured course for e-
learning, he make use of synchronous, asynchronous, blended mode or flipped
mode of learning.
iii). Subject Expert- Teachers role as subject expert need proficiency in content
knowledge. They prepare the e-content, video tutorials, topics for discussion
forums, and assessment of learning according to a lesson plan using ICTs. ICTs is
seen as tool to help teachers create more of learner-centric learning environment.
iv). Technology Expert- There are wide range of ICT tools and resources that can be
used in a classroom situation and in online learning mode. The type of technology
depends on the pedagogical aspect of teaching of learning process. ICTs can be
used in a classroom situation, in blended or flip learning mode or in online
learning mode. Today teachers/faculty use ICTs for ‘routine tasks such as lesson
plan development, record keeping, information presentation, basic information
searches using the Internet’. In online mode, the etutor has to upload the course
content on the online course server, provide interactive and collaborative tools to

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have interactions between peers and tutor, organize chat sessions, upload topics
of discussion for learning, embed assessment items to ensure learning. The
teacher’s technical abilities and knowledge of ICT skills is important to be an
effective and efficient teacher.
v). Manager & Administrator - The teachers should have adequate access to ICT in
working condition such as computers, networks and have to manage the use of
ICTs effectively with sufficient technical support. The online resources/ courses in
particular need timely scheduling, administering and managing. This will be done
by the administrator and manager.
3.0 FUNCTIONS OF E-TUTOR IN ONLINE TEACHING AND LEARNING
We have seen, the teacher moving away from traditional classroom to a virtual online
teaching and learning environment would require change in their roles. The various roles as
stated above are - facilitator, guide couch and mentor, instructional designer, subject
expert, technology expert, an administrator and a manager of the online course. In case of
each of these roles, the etutor has to perform various functions or activities as below:

i). Academic Function- The etutor needs to have expertise of contents, academic
activities, learner’s formative and summative assessment, and the abilities to organize
activities.
ii). Instructional Design Function- The etutor must explore new pedagogical possibilities,
design eLearning environment, design innovative strategies, select tools and methods
which are appropriate with the needs of learner.
iii). Technical Function- The eturor should develop proficiency in Information and
Communication Technology and available tools in the learning environment.
iv). Guiding Function- The etutor must have the required skills to plan, provide structured
content, schedule activities time to time and guide the student to complete the
learning.
v). Social Function- The etutor should engage with learners using different technologies
such as discussion forum, instant messaging, scheduling chat sessions, emailing etc to
overcome the feeling of isolation and lack of motivation of students
vi). Management and administration Function- The etutor provide leaner’s guidance and
advice relating to the tasks in the course of formative actions, deliver instructions as
facilitator, guide, coach etc. He/she should be able to manage time and space, haave
knowledge of ethical issues, aware of Intellectual Property Rights, Cyber-Crime,
Privacy, Cyber Security etc. for using ICT, developing new compétences such as-
teaching the knowledge society, teaching networked society…’netizens’ or ‘elearners’,
develop a collective intelligence.

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M1U1: Lesson-1.1.3: Roles & Functions of E-Tutors In Online Teaching and Learning

4.0 SUMMARY

In this lesson you have learned about the need for change in the role of teachers in online
teaching and learning. The change in the roles of etutor are as Facilitator, Guide, Coach and a
Mentor, Instructional Designer, Subject Expert, Technology Expert, Administrator & Manager. The
etutor also performs various functions in online teaching and learning such as academic,
guiding, instructional designer, social, management and administration.

In the next lesson we will discuss some of its important benefits of using ICT in teaching-
learning related activities and managing the Institute.

DISCUSSION FORUM TOPIC(S)

i). Discuss the expected change in roles of a e-tutor as Instructional Designer, Manager &
Administrator, and his/her functions in online teaching and learning

Note: The above topic of discussion is posted in discussion forum of Lesson 1.1.3. Every
learner has to respond to discussion topic for assessment.

SELF-INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL
Papers/Articles
[i]. Mathai K.James, ‘On-Line Education- A Flexible Mode of Distance Education’, The
Journal of Engineering Education, Oct-December, 2000, Pune, INDIA

REFERENCES & BIBLIOGRAPHY

[ii]. Miguel Ángel Fernández Jiméneza etal. (2017). The tutor’s roles and functions in
online education. Qualitative. 7th Internat'l Conference on Intercultural Education
“Education, Health and ICT for a Transcultural World EDUHEM 2016 (pp. Pg 196-
202). Almeria, Spain: Elsevier Ltd.

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