When it comes to tutoring, you are no longer limited to either taking your child (or yourself) to a local tutoring center or having a tutor visit you in your home. Online tutoring is becoming more and more popular, and with the easy connectivity provided by the internet when it comes to face-to-face tutoring sessions, it's easy to see why. But which is best? Is online tutoring superior to in-person tutoring? Let's look at the differences between the two and the unique advantages of both.
In-Person Tutoring
There are a few advantages to in-person tutoring. Explaining things is sometimes easier in person, and tutors are able to judge a student's emotions more readily when speaking with them in person, which can be important in some instances. In-person tutoring has a number of drawbacks, the biggest of which is convenience. Tutoring sessions are typically at a set time, and you may even need to drive your child to the session, wait around while your child receives tutoring, and then drive back home.
Online Tutoring
This leads us to one of the biggest benefits of online tutoring: convenience. You can enjoy top-notch tutoring at home, from the comfort of your own space, without leaving the house. No gas spent, no time spent commuting, no waiting around for tutoring sessions to end. The convenience factor may also make it easier for an active child who has a lot of afterschool activities to fit tutoring in to his schedule.
While convenience is a big motivator to try online tutoring, it also offers:
- Talented tutors. When you choose from local in-person tutors, you are usually limited to the amount of talent you can reach. With online tutoring, there's a huge talent base from across the globe, making it easier to find a tutor that "clicks" with you or your child. For instance, if you need a tutor for Spanish and prefer a natural speaker, the chances of finding that person online are increased versus finding a local tutor with a native tongue.
- Variety of subjects. Because the scope of tutors available in virtually unlimited online, it's fairly simple to find a tutor adept in the subject of need. From algebraic expressions to practicing writing prompts, there's a tutor who's ideal for helping your child excel.
- Attentive tutors. When you choose in-person tutoring, you likely are limited to a tutor working with multiple children at once. With online tutoring, your child is the sole focus of the tutor during a tutoring session, making the lessons more personalized and the attention focused directly on your child.
- Affordability. In most instances, online tutoring is much more affordable than in-person tutoring sessions. This makes it easier for students on all budgets to afford needed tutoring.
- Tech-savvy delivery of services. Because online tutoring occurs online via chat and video, it appeals to today's kids who are tech-savvy. Kids are comfortable using Skype and other video services, so online tutoring is just an extension of the "Culture of Now" for today's learners. In addition, students can have access to recordings of tutoring sessions to access diagrams, animations, and example problems for future reference.
As you can see, online tutoring has a number of advantage for today's students. When compared to in-person tutoring, online tutoring is just as effective if not more effective for some students.
