Virtual vs In-Person Tutoring

So, you’ve decided that it’s time to hire a tutor or a tutoring service for your child.  What will work best? in-person or virtual? The answer is there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution. Which style of tutoring is better for them? Which is more convenient? There are many factors to consider. Here are a few things to consider before making your decision and to get the most out of the lessons:  

1 – HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

‍Pricing for tutoring can vary, however cost of online tutoring and in-person tutoring is virtually the same so it’s best to set your budget based on number of lessons your child might need. Most of the time, tutoring is scheduled between once or twice a week for 1-hour sessions. Some tutoring companies offer discounts to small-group in-person tutoring sessions which is not recommended because the beauty of one-on-one tutoring is the undivided attention given to the student. In the long run, this approach makes the sessions more costly because its not tailored to the student.  

2 - CONVENIENCE:

Virtual tutoring is generally convenient for the student and the family. Students do not have to travel by transit or be driven to a location and picked up again. Online tutoring can also be accessed over a longer time period. Sessions can continue even if the student is not at home, as long as they have access to a computer, iPad or a phone. Some tutors are willing to come to you. It’s important that in either scenario, your child has a quiet space to learn. This takes us to #3, another important factor:  

3 - AGE OF THE STUDENT:

Generally younger students (primary age) are less able to concentrate for a period of time using a computer or electronic device and often require hands-on and manipulatives that don’t translate well to an online experience. Older students, junior, intermediate, and high school students generally have little difficulty with this issue. Virtual learning is not for everyone especially the younger children.  

4- SAFETY:

A lot of tutoring platforms and websites out there hire tutors with little to no experience in teaching. Before hiring a tutor, ensure that the tutor has a police background check, and the proper credentials for tutoring such as a diploma in teaching. In addition to safety, you want to get your money’s worth by hiring the right person from the beginning.

5- TECHNOLOGY:

Sometimes, internet connections can be a problem. If the student is scheduled for virtual tutoring, and there are internet problems, the parent and tutor must figure out a way to continue or cancel the session, so the advantage here goes to in-person tutoring at the child’s home or a tutoring office.  

6- DELIVERY OF PROGRAM:

Here again, a slight advantage to the in-person model. Student and tutor are in the same room, so it is generally easier to monitor progress in real time in person. Some online teacher tutors have an overhead camera over their desk, so this makes demonstrating a concept effective.  

To conclude, parents and students need to discuss what would be best for their situation. Connect Education offers both scenarios so you can easily find an excellent, experienced teacher to tutor your child in the format that works best for them.