This article was originally included in the "UBC Continuing Studies: Spring/Summer 2010” brochure.

Online learning can bring the world to your desktop. Just ask Stéphane Hamel, online tutor in both the UBC Certificate in Business Analysis and Award of Achievement in Web Analytics programs. In his time as an online tutor, he’s instructed hundreds of students, some from as far away as China, India, Germany and Australia.

What does Stéphane enjoy the most about the job? “I enjoy sharing knowledge and expertise with students,” he says. “It may sound selfish, but I also feed off of the interesting ideas and new challenges that arise in the online discussion forums.”

Online tutors in UBC Continuing Studies programs are typically business professionals in their area of expertise and play an important role in the delivery of online courses. They provide online instruction and guidance for students on a one-to-one and group basis and encourage interaction amongst the class. As well as guiding students through the curriculum with continuous email communication, tutors also facilitate online discussions, assignments and projects.

With a degree in computer science and an MBA specializing in electronic business, Stéphane brings many years of online analytics expertise to his courses. He is based in Quebec-city, and runs Immeria Consulting Services Inc. which assists organizations to develop their own online analytics practice. Stéphane is also a frequent presenter at eMetrics conferences and serves as a director and treasurer of the Web Analytics Association.

Despite his active schedule, Stéphane makes the time to tutor Fundamentals of Business Analysis, as well as the four courses that comprise the Award of Achievement in Web Analytics program. Through his experience, Stéphane has developed an effective approach to online learning. “The lack of face-to-face interactions can make it more challenging to engage students in conversations. But I make the courses more interesting by providing lots of real-life examples and references that raise the interest level and help students relate to the topics at hand.”

Many students enroll in online courses for the flexible learning schedule they offer. However, Stéphane cautions that discipline and perseverance are also necessary for success in online learning. “If you are taking an online class, there’s no set agenda other than submitting the assignments. Nobody will tell you when it’s time to go into class and we all have other priorities such as family, work and leisure. Online learning, and learning in general, requires commitment!”

Even with the additional dedication that online learning can require, it is an effective means of accessing the expertise of industry professionals such as Stéphane Hamel, independent of location, distance or time. The hundreds of students from across the globe who’ve been tutored by Stéphane will surely attest to that.

Additional info about the UBC Award of Achievement in Web Analytics can be found at http://www.tech.ubc.ca/webanalytics/