Australian App-trepreneur Tutorbee takes out the top gong …

… AT THE CSIRO APPS4BROADBAND AWARDS

Next generation online tutoring provider breaking down barriers in education

Australia’s pioneering online tutoring provider, TutorBee www.tutorbee.com.au, has this week been announced as a winner of the Australian Centre of Innovation Apps4Broadband Competition. Taking out the top gong of Best App* and winning in the supporting categories of Best App – Health, Education and Social Services, Best App – Business to Business.

Set up by two under 30 Australian entrepreneurs, TutorBee was launched in March 2013 and is an online tutoring provider that is breaking down the barrier of access to quality education for Australian students by providing a convenient and specialised service that enables students to undertake tailored online tutorials with their own private tutor – regardless of their geographical location.

The awards, which are presented by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), recognise Australian businesses, entrepreneurs and students that are pioneering future applications for broadband connected services.

Chris Barwick and Lexi Thorn, Co-Founders of TutorBee said they are honoured to be the recipients of three prestigious awards for their integrated online tutoring platform. “There seems to be a significant difference in the quality of education available to students due to their location, this is especially the case with some students in rural and remote Australia.”

“OECD** research has shown that 29% of students in remote schools fail to reach proficiency level 2 which means these students risk being unable to enter the modern workforce. Overcoming this challenge is at the very heart of the TutorBee’s philosophy which is about giving every Australian student equal access to quality education through the convenience, efficiency and flexibility of online.” said Mr Barwick.

TutorBee’s online platform links students with the best tutors in the industry and provides them with personalised support across all areas of their education – from assignment reviews, exam preparation and remedial support – at the click of a button.

The demand for student tutoring services in Australia is growing exponentially with the domestic tutoring market valued at $1.2 billion*** annually and growing at 11% per annum with 2% being representative of the online tutoring industry signifying a strong growth area.

Mr Barwick goes on to say, “Given the competitive schooling environment, the growing need for private tutors and limited online tutoring options, TutorBee’s service is setting a new benchmark in the education industry by taking advantage of the digital economy and providing educational assistance to students nation-wide.”

“Parents and students are able to search, review, schedule and book tutors on TutorBee’s website. Students also have access to our online classroom, which allows them to undertake online lessons with their selected tutor using TutorBee’s online whiteboard, chat and audio functions and document collaboration system,” said Mr Barwick.

TutorBee provides students with access to over seventy qualified private tutors ranging from certified university graduates to professors of education and who specialise in all subjects of the National Curriculum. TutorBee also provides educational support for students with a learning disability, by linking them with experienced tutors in this field.

*Any software program that runs on a laptop, smart phone tablet or smart devise and utilises a broadband enabled applications and services.
** The OECD reports that in remote schools, 29 per cent of students failed to reach proficiency level 2. Enquire below for full report.
***IBIS World Industry Report 2011
TutorBee www.tutorbee.com.au