Tutor Amigos

Online Tutoring in Math

for English Language Learning Latinos


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Technology Requirements and Recommendations

The following are technology and system recommendations to enable online tutoring. Please read our Disclaimer before installing any hardware or software.

Hardware:
The following minimum system configurations are recommended for PC and compatibles:

  • Pentium III (or faster)
  • 512 RAM or higher

  • Operating System:

    Windows ME/2000/XP/2003/Vista

    Mac OS X+/Leopard, or Linux

  • 640x480 screen resolution (800x600 or larger preferred)
  • Sound Card
  • High Speed Internet connection: Cable/ADSL.

Headset w/Microphone
Headset w/Microphone. Many brands offer models from $20 and up. We recommend you choose a model that you find comfortable. Plantronics and Logitec are popular brands. You can usually find several models at Circuit City or Best Buy.

Pen Mouse
While not required, we recommend a pen mouse at least 4x5 inches.
Webcam
Not required

Software:

Mozilla Firefox 2+ (Recommended)

Internet Explorer 6+

Safari 2+

Adobe Flash Player 9 (pre-installed on the majority of computers)

Cookies & Javascript Enabled

We highly recommend that you use (Voice Over IP (VOIP) instead of just chat.

We utilize the following VOIP providers which can be downloaded free of charge.

Gizmo Project A Free phone for Your Computer

Gizmo Project (www.gizmoproject.com)

Skype (www.skype.com)

 
 The Tutor Amigos idea is simple:
 
to connect over the internet volunteer or contracted Spanish-speaking math tutors with English Language Learning (ELL) Latino students in need of academic support.

Why?
 
ELL Latinos who need academic support the most, are least likely to be able to obtain it due to low incomes, or a lack of access to computers with a broadband connection.
 
Can this be overcome?
 
Yes. By partnering with nonprofits, schools and communities who serve Latino immigrants and provide access to technology.

Do you know an organization that has access to computers/broadband and needs Spanish-speaking math tutors?
 
 
Semi-finalist for the 2008 Echoing Green fellowship
 
Tutor Amigos has been selected as a semi-finalist for the 2008 Echoing Green fellowship among nearly 1,500 applicants.
 
Read more about us in our blog.

Echoing Green is a provider of seed funding and support to social entrepreneurs "with bold ideas for social change in order to launch groundbreaking organizations around the world."

Testmonial

"I find that most of our Spanish-speaking kids know most of the math they are being taught, but they simply cannot understand the language. A program like Tutor Amigos gives them that confidence they lack in the classroom because of the language barrier."

Raquel Nova, Director of Education, Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence