Abstract
The role of corporate community managers, who facilitate digital and cross-location collaboration within corporate communities, is comparable to that of e-tutors, who moderate and assist virtual group work in the university context. E-tutors have a variety of tasks that go beyond merely monitoring their supervised groups. They need to be equipped with numerous competencies to ensure successful e-tutoring. However, current literature only partly addresses how e-tutors build the required understanding and competencies. This study investigates the gap of how a qualification module for e-tutors should be designed to prepare them best. For this purpose, seven participants in an e-tutor qualification module were interviewed. It became apparent that the qualification module had gaps, especially in the training of intercultural competencies, which in turn influenced the interviewees’ readiness to become e-tutors. Additionally, beneficial formats for competence development were identified. The study found that Virtual Collaborative Learning (VCL) is a helpful format for developing several competencies, particularly media competencies. In addition, certain framework conditions must be given to attract students to the module, e.g., practical relevance. Based on the findings, the study provides recommendations for designing a qualification module for e-tutors, including the importance of addressing intercultural competencies, incorporating e-tutor tandems, and providing VCL opportunities. Additionally, the study analyzes the consequences arising from its findings, explicitly focusing on their direct impact on succeeding cohorts of e-tutors. This study provides significant insights into developing competencies for e-tutors while offering practical recommendations to enrich their e-tutoring experience.
Author Information
Lisa-Marie Langesee, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
Nick Volkmann, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
Alexander Clauss, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
Laura Hilse, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
Paper Information
Conference: ACE2023
Stream: Higher education
This paper is part of the ACE2023 Conference Proceedings (View)
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To cite this article:
Langesee L., Volkmann N., Clauss A., & Hilse L. (2024) Preparing E-Tutors for Success: A Qualitative Analysis of a Community Management Training Module for Students ISSN: 2186-5892 The Asian Conference on Education 2023: Official Conference Proceedings https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2186-5892.2024.15
To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2186-5892.2024.15
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