Interview with Matt Loper, Moonlyt.com: Innovators in E-Learning Series

One might argue that it's not necessary to have a special platform for online tutoring -- after all, free platforms such as Skype and Facetime are very effective. Further, opensource web conferencing such as Big Blue Button have many of the features (whiteboard, tools, etc.), of an Adobe Connect or Omnovia. However, when it comes to locating vetted tutors and subject matter experts, it's another matter. Moonlyt.com has launched a new platform to integrate the different elements: video chat, scheduling, tutor profile, etc.

Welcome to an interview with Matt Loper, co-founder and CEO of Moonlyt.com.

1.  What is your name and your relation to elearning?
My name is Matt Loper and I am the Co-Founder and CEO of Moonlyt.com.

2.  What do you think are some of the issues that currently concern elearning program developers?
There are a lot of great companies and nonprofit organizations out there trying to completely change the paradigm of traditional education.  Change is definitely necessary as the American educational system is extremely inefficient and expensive.  However, with so much established behavior and infrastructure, there is quite a bit of inertia to completely overhauling the entire system.  Moonlyt seeks to supplement the established system so that students can get the help they need at affordable prices.  Private tutoring is a huge market (some studies show 1 in 4 American high school students have a private tutor) but it is also completely fragmented to local markets.  Moonlyt is a global platform that allows tutors to eliminate geographical constraints by teaching over video chat.  We strive to add accountability to tutoring by allowing students to comparison shop tutors based on user reviews and prices.

Moonlyt.com Home Page

3.  What is Moonlyt and how does it work?
Moonlyt is a social learning and online tutoring platform that allows highly qualified individuals to make money teaching online.  We also allow students and parents to find the very best tutor at the very best prices based on past user reviews.  On Moonlyt, tutors set their own prices and schedules and perform all lessons on our video chat platform.

Teachers / Tutors

4. Please provide two or three examples of how Moonlyt has been used (please share jpeg screen shots as well).
Moonlyt just launched a few months ago but already features a diverse set of tutors including guitar, SAT preparation, mathematics, sciences, foreign languages, cooking lessons, and career advice.  I have personally done several sessions giving career advice to college students looking to get into the financial field or entrepreneurship.

Moonlyt.com session

5. Describe plans for future developments in Moonlyt .
We are working hard to further enhance the interaction between tutors and their students.  We think that the Moonlyt platform allows for online tutoring sessions to be as effective as in-person tutoring.  Our goal is to create tools and analytics that allow Moonlyt tutors to be far more effective than in-person tutors.

6.  What is your philosophy of education in a multi-platform BYOD world?
Technology in the classroom has the ability to greatly enhance students' experience and access to information while allowing teachers to leverage their time and scale their audience.  However, we must remember that technology is a supplement to great teachers, not a substitute.  We will always need great teachers to inspire and motivate students.

Creating a Posting

7.  What are two or three books that you'd recommend (do not have to be on elearning ;) )
Thinking Fast, Thinking Slow by Daniel Kahneman - This book gave me a deeper understanding of how we think and interact with each other
The Four Hour Chef by Tim Ferris - A book about the most efficient way to learn any new skill disguised as a cooking book.

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