In short...YES!!!
I feel like online tutoring is almost frowned upon!! Like it's the person that no one likes because their friends don't, that no one wants to get to know because of what they "think" it will be like.
As someone who originally opened an in-person tutoring company in 2016, I must admit I was one of the ones snubbing online tutoring. Oh, but little did I know that my opinion was about to get turned upside down and I was going to become online tutoring's biggest fan!
After the pandemic had done its damage to New Zealand businesses, I closed our in-person tutoring center, re-branded, and transitioned the company to online tutoring via Zoom. It took me a while to make the decision to do so because of my past opinions on (cough) online tutoring.
Now, because we had previously taught in person for 5 years, providing hands-on pen-to-paper learning experiences, I needed to come up with a way to bridge online tutoring with in-person tutoring and shed some light and happiness on the once frowned upon online tutoring delivery.
I went on a mission to create my spin on online tutoring by incorporating physical learning toolkits that are curated after their first session assessment results have been recorded.
This has been a big point of difference for online tutoring with The Tutor Co.
So with that in mind, here are 5 benefits of online tutoring with The Tutor Co. (These benefits are what I have seen, heard, and discussed with our students & families, there ain't nothing like some walked-the-walk talk!)
Number One: Convenience! This is one of the most obvious benefits but my goodness it has made a difference to our student's family travel time and stress levels! Our parents absolutely love the fact that they don't have to drop everything at home to race their child to their sessions. Students set themselves up at home in a quiet area without distractions, and parents can tend to their other children, get dinner ready or....... put their feet up for 45mins and have a well-deserved cuppa!
Number Two: Online Resources at their fingertips! (both tutor & student!)
We all know that the internet is a never-ending source of resources that can be utilised in tutoring sessions. From Zoom's whiteboard to templates to visual aids to videos to worksheets, it's all more accessible than ever and can be shared on-screen at the click of a button! Why is this important? Because our tutors are able to switch up materials on the spot to enhance what is happening in the session as well as create fun and engaging learning experiences. In addition to that, students are able to also use the screen share function when needing help with work that has been allocated on Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, Education Perfect, Mathletics, or whichever program your child's school uses. Students don't have to try and remember to print it off before their session or try to remember to bring their device, with online tutoring it's all accessible in real time!
Number Three: Hands-on materials and good old pen and paper are still utilised! Just because the tutoring sessions are online, it doesn't mean that all the "old" methods of teaching and learning fly out the window! Each student receives a learning toolkit with hands-on materials, stationery, and exercise books to allow pen-to-paper learning to happen with ease! You don't have a touchscreen device? No problem! Your child will receive a whiteboard and markers so they can write and share through the screen, just as if they were sitting in the same room as their tutor.
Number Four: Great for students who may feel anxious going into a tutoring center. In my many years of experience in private tutoring, even though students want extra help, for students with anxiety, going into a tutoring center can be a struggle for many different reasons. Having online tutoring, allows students to choose their learning space within the comfort and safety of their own homes. They don't need to worry about seeing other students, worry about awkward waiting room experiences, instead, they can learn in a space that they are comfortable and happy in from the get-go. Number Five: Video calling makes the session feel like they are in the same room! I hear a lot of people say "It's not the same when it's through video call" Let's face it, during the pandemic we all (or most of us) at some point video-called friends, families, or work colleagues, and the call flowed almost as if you were sitting in the same room! Tutors and students are able to build great relationships, have great discussions, and share information through video calls. Students are able to write on their whiteboards, exercise books, or workbooks and show their work through the camera - tutors can screenshot their work for their records as well as use the screenshot in a screen share to go over with the student. In addition to the five benefits listed above, online tutoring has allowed The Tutor Co. to grow our team with great tutors from all over the country! This means that we have a selection of team members to pair with your child! So as you can see, online tutoring isn't as scary or as "ineffective" as you may have thought. It is a great way to get your child support without putting extra stress on parents after school activity runs, resource availability increases, students still engage with hands-on and pen-to- paper learning experiences, students can learn in a place where they are comfortable and happy, and the use of video calling makes it feel like students are in the room with their tutors. It is definitely something to explore!
