Tutoring system as an efficient blended learning approach

Sulčič, Viktorija. 2007. Tutoring system as an efficient blended learning approach. In Proceedings of the IADIS international conference Vol. 1 . pp. 51–58.

Abstract: Existing researches show that the development of multimedia online course demands huge staff efforts and results in no significant difference in study outcomes. Besides, the dropout rates in online courses are usually higher than in traditional education. At our faculty several researches were made to ascertain the most efficient way of e-learning in a smaller educational environment, in which the number of students is smaller than in environments where existing e-learning researches were made.

In this paper the results from our researches related to e-learning costs are presented. We found out that even if the number of students is not as high that as in existing researches, introducing e-learning can be cost-efficient and that students can also gain more knowledge in e-learning courses. At the first stage of the introduction of information and communication technology (ICT) in education the institution needs to invest some time and money in quality tutor training. The tutor's role, normally played by an asistent, has in fact proved to be one of the factors of efficient e-learning found in our research. After the tutors' training, the courses can be developed and performed with lower costs and have significant impact on study outcomes.