UK Edition
10 ways online maths tutors are better than in-person help
Private tuition is more popular than ever. In the decade leading up to 2016, children receiving extra help outside school rose by a third.
There is no single reason why parents seek to prop their children's education with private tutors, which can prove costly. Some children may be struggling in a particular subject; others might need an extra boost for entry into another school or university; large class sizes might mean your child isn't getting as much attention as they could; perhaps, it's just that another approach may be what your child needs.
Whatever the reason, if your child needs help it's certainly worth forking out on a tutor. But your next step is to decide between traditional face-to-face teaching and online tutoring.
While there are many benefits to face-to-face tutoring, modern technology has led to a boom in online tuition.
10 reasons why online tuition beats in-person help
1. It's more flexible
Online tutoring is far more flexible than face-to-face help. If parents have time constraints it can be difficult to make after-school trips to a tutor's house. If you're lucky, the tutor will come to you, but you'll still have to find a time that suits you both best.
With online tuition, it's easier to pick a time that suits you both. Now all you need is a computer with internet connection and you're good to go.
2. It's cheaper
The best private tutors can be expensive, but removing factors like travel costs can help make it more affordable.
3. There's a much wider pool to choose from
If you're looking for a private tutor in your area, you may be limited to just a handful of options, most likely discovered through word of mouth. There may not be a highly qualified tutor for miles.
Because location isn't an issue, online tutoring gives you a much wider pool to choose from.
4. Algorithms match students with tutors
Online tutoring services can make finding the right tutor easy via algorithms. Parents are asked questions about their child's personality - whether your child's creative, logical, confident, etc. An algorithm then matches your child with a tutor that has similar characteristics.
5. You get a chance to meet first
Algorithms don't guarantee success, however, so most online tutoring services offer the chance to meet your tutor over the web. Here, you'll be able to see if your child gets along with the tutor; if the tutor offers the expertise you need; and if the required technology works on your computer.
6. Children can be more comfortable with online tutoring
Private tutoring can be intimidating, but online tutoring provides the comfort of your own home and perceived anonymity which can be easier for children.
7. It's great for tech-savvy children
Children are increasingly tech-savvy, and using technology can help impart information in a manner in which they're comfortable and enjoy.
According to Matt Leeser, head of buying for electricals and home technology at John Lewis, today's children have "grown up in a world surrounded by technology and the internet, and they are using mobile phones, tablets, e-readers and computers on a daily basis."
Using these technologies for learning could greatly benefit your child's education.
8. The benefits of technology for teaching
Online tutoring offers many technological benefits. Resources, such as essays, past papers and diagrams can be uploaded to the online lesson space, which students can access whenever they like; an interactive whiteboard allows both student and tutor to type and draw; and lessons can be recorded.
For maths, graphs, diagrams and charts can easily be created on the whiteboard through the online portal, visible to both tutor and student. A toolbox on the right of the whiteboard offers all the necessary tools for drawing, colouring, text, allowing for easy visual explanation of all mathematical problems.
Maths tutors have a special writing tablet for detailed diagrams in real time.
9. Saving the lesson
At school, it's not always possible to jot down every piece of information from a teacher, and the teacher won't get a chance to repeat each point in the limited time.
That's not an issue with online tutoring, as lessons can be easily saved and uploaded to your hard drive and accessed at any point.
10. Safety
Firstly, there's the safety and comfort of learning from your own home. And with all tutors vetted and sessions recorded, your child is safe as can be.