Pros and cons of online tutoring and tips for parents using an online tutor

With the growth of technology and the desire for education in the home, online tutoring had already been experiencing increasing adoption before coronavirus (COVID-19).

Online tutoring platforms have been improving, as they allow for interactive teaching and learning, as well as effective evaluation, in real-time. Online tutoring also presents opportunities for students who live in areas that are hard to access, where there are not many tutors. For tutors, online tutoring is much more efficient than navigating the city’s public transport or driving at rush hour.

While in-person tuition is often the preferred option for parents, there are some students who find in-person social interaction awkward and who may feel more comfortable online. There are also many students who enjoy technology and find this method of learning exciting. However, for some students with special educational needs (SEN) who require kinaesthetic learning, meeting their needs online will not be as attainable. Building rapport, which is an important part of tutoring, is a bit more challenging online. Some parents are also happier once they’ve met the tutor in person before online lessons commence.

Let’s consider some of the pros and cons of online tutoring and some general tips for parents.

Online tuition has certain strengths and weaknesses

What are some advantages of online tutoring?

1. Generally easy to set up with a tutoring platform – a link can be provided by the tutor

2. Allows education to continue when in-person tuition is difficult for whatever reason

3. For some students with concentration issues, a screen can help their focus

4. Some children who have social anxiety may prefer online tuition

5. Children get excited about technology and enjoy the novel aspects of learning in this way

6. Tuition can be scheduled to fit in with one’s day much more easily

7. Online tutoring platforms offer many great technological features. Features include lesson recording, enhanced security and an interactive whiteboard.

8. Online tutoring is frequently cheaper than in-person tuition, as a parent does not need to pay for a tutor’s travel time.

9. A greater pool of tutors from which to find the perfect match, as a student is not limited to tutors that live nearby.

What are some disadvantages of online tutoring?

1. Traditional online tutoring agencies are unlikely to meet tutors in person (as the latter could be based in many different locations and agencies will often have many tutors listed). The vetting process may not be as stringent, therefore, as it is for a bespoke tutoring agency such as Apex Tuition, which meets all its tutors in person and only offers online tuition using its pool of carefully vetted professionals.

2. More time is needed for the first lesson in setting up the technology and it requires a reliable broadband connection

3. Rapport and trust are a bit harder to build online with the student

4. Although still possible, tactile learning becomes more challenging and online tuition will be less effective for students with certain SEN whose needs require the physical presence of a tutor

5. Sometimes simple instructions or concepts are not so easy to explain online

6. Parents do not get to know their tutor in person

Parents should take precautions to make sure they are happy with the online tutor for their child.

Feel free to check out our latest blog on useful student apps! Read more here.

7 tips for parents using a private online tutor

1. Use an agency that follows strict protocols when screening and interviewing tutors and conducting background checks (Enhanced DBS) and reference checks. Although the tutor is not physically present in the home, using a carefully vetted tutor that the agency knows personally is very important.

2. Check that the tutoring agency or tutor is using a suitable platform for tuition. This would be one that allows video, audio, file sharing and online whiteboard options. The latter is important when evaluating written content in real time. The ability to share pictures related to the topic (e.g. volcanoes for Geography) is also helpful to maintain interest.

3. Preferably meet them in person beforehand; however, if this is not possible, set up an online mini-interview before the lesson to get a sense of their approach, personality and experience.

4. Prior to the first lesson, allow some time to set up the technology and gain some familiarity with it. Children are natural with technology, but some applications are more intuitive than others.

5. Make sure the topic is chosen prior to the lesson. Extra preparation is needed for online tuition and this will be much appreciated by the tutor.

6. Carefully review the first online lesson to make sure that you are comfortable with the tutor and that your child and the tutor have established the necessary rapport.

7. A good tutoring agency will also provide a lesson report following the session, such as Apex Tuition.

So as you can see there is a mixture of pros and cons and different things work for different people. We are confident in our abilities as online tutors that we can get the grades your children need. If you'd like to learn more about working with us, contact us today!

Feel free to read our student's testimonials as well!

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