Exploring the importance of tutoring in distance education (de): a case study at the fictitious solares university

Abstract

Distance education (DE) has undergone significant evolution in recent decades, largely propelled by advancements in information and communication technologies (ICT). Playing a vital role in DE is e-tutoring, serving as a mediator between teaching and learning, fostering autonomy and collaboration. This article aims to investigate the origins of DE tutoring, tracing its evolution and examining its current importance in educational contexts. In the 19th century, correspondence courses marked the early stages of DE, with tutors and students exchanging letters for interaction. In the early 20th century, institutions like the University of London and the Open University in the United Kingdom pioneered formalized DE programs supported by tutorial systems. The period between the 1980s and 1990s witnessed the emergence of digital DE platforms, driven by the rise of computers and the internet, enabling more immediate interaction between tutors and students.