Do it yourself tutoring in Cambodia: new directions in shadow education research
摘要
Covid-19 turbocharged the adoption of digital technologies in mainstream schools, which necessarily changed the shape of private supplementary tutoring as well. This article traces these dynamics in Cambodia, outlining the concept of Do It Yourself (DIY) Tutoring. DIY Tutoring is curriculum-linked learning outside of the classroom that a student engages with autonomously through digital platforms. The digital nature of DIY Tutoring allows for a level of flexibility and personalization uncommon in other forms of self-guided tutoring. Most importantly, DIY Tutoring alters the traditional understanding of the cost of tutoring from direct user-fees to also include indirect fees common in platform capitalism. The article reports on empirical evidence in Cambodia to articulate a framework of DIY Tutoring. Although this study focuses on Cambodia, adding to the literature on shadow education in the country, the concept of DIY Tutoring can be applied more widely, opening new directions in shadow education research.