Essay Tips

Whether you are a writing tutor looking for some additional tools to add to your kit or a student who needs a nudge in the right direction when it comes to your writing skills, modern technology has what you are looking for. Computers have made a difference in education basically since they first burst on the scene, but as computing power increased and the internet expanded into an international phenomenon, technology’s ability to improve things for students and teachers alike increased exponentially. Add in mobile technology, the hundreds and thousands of quality teaching apps on the market and the near constant innovation by hardware and software designers and you’ve got a brave new world of learning outside the classroom. Here are five of the best writing tutor resources to help you along.

If you don’t have a Skype account, sign up for free and get up to speed. Skype allows you to make phone calls or video conference calls to anyone in the world, as long as you have an internet connection and the right hardware. And now you can join Skype with a service called Idroo, which is basically an interactive whiteboard you can use for tutoring. Basically, you’d use a tablet or other device that works on a touchscreen to write or draw on the Idroo board. And whatever you do will be seen by the party at the other end of the connection in real-time. It’s allows you to create a virtual classroom and tutor by example.

A fantastic resource for tutors is called WizIQ. There are many services like WizIQ, basically offering an online educational portal, but this one is completely free at first. Teachers can upload lesson plans, create practice tests, and also set up audio and video chats through the service. Students can sign up and pick and choose how they would interact with the lessons and the teachers, while also setting their own schedule. After some time teachers will be required to pay for the service, but tutors can set up payment plans with their students through Paypal or directly through bank accounts.

On the tutor side, check out 4Teachers. It’s basically a catch-all resource for anyone looking for quizzes and writing assignments to use with their students. You can find options here in both English and Spanish, which is fantastic for anyone teaching ESL writing courses who don’t fluently speak the language. Tutors will find thousands of lessons to choose from, and the tools to create their own as well.

Another great resource is Wikispaces Education. This basically allows you to develop an online classroom that integrates multimedia, which you can also offer to your students for free. There are no limitations in the amount of content, and you can add images, links, videos, or written materials from anywhere in the world. It’s a great way to recreate the feeling of in person tutoring, while saving costs for everyone involved.

Finally, if you are looking for a tutor but don’t have much money to spend, check out options such as Sylvan Learning, Instructor.com or Tutorz.com. Each one will help you connect with individuals offering online tutoring as well as resources to help you self-tutor on your writing skills. All are completely free, and you’ll find literally thousands of resources and instructors ready to help. Thanks to technology, there is now really no excuse for squeezing by with subpar writing skills. As long as you take the time to do a bit of research, you’ll find the right fit to help you get over the top.