One-on-one tutoring is one of the best ways a struggling student can boost their grades, and their confidence level at school, too. Online tutoring is becoming more common than ever thanks to the pandemic and the need to make learning accessible from anywhere. More parents and students are discovering its benefits, and using tutors to supplement in-person learning. Whether you’re ready to boost your grades or even get better at a favourite hobby, there are so many reasons online tutoring is outpacing in-person learning.
In this article, we’ll describe why remote, online learning is so convenient, and the top 10 benefits of online tutoring that all students can enjoy.
OFFSET: Looking for information on the cost of online tutoring? Check out our article How Much Does a Tutor Cost Per Hour in Canada?
1. Flexibility in Scheduling
One of the biggest benefits of online tutoring is the flexibility — for both the student and the tutor. Unlike in-person tutoring, online tutoring is easy to complete from anywhere, even on short notice. Many tutors and their students work on an as-needed basis, or are able to schedule tutoring sessions at different times each week to accommodate other demands in the student’s busy schedule. If you’re a parent of multiple children and juggle a busy weekly calendar, you’ll love that your tutor can accommodate you on your time. The benefits of on-demand tutoring are also huge for university students who may work a part-time job with a schedule that changes weekly.
2. Personalised Learning Experience
Individual attention is critical for so many young learners. As classrooms become increasingly crowded, it’s more difficult than ever for teachers to give children one-on-one assistance. A tutor, on the other hand, gives their students the kind of care and attention that helps them feel more confidence in their work. They can also tailor their teaching to the student's learning style and pace, increasing their comfort. If you are a parent who worries their child is not getting enough time with their teachers, a tutor can be an excellent solution to this issue.
For older students, a tutor can be a benefit even if you’re just struggling with a unit in your math class, or a concept in organic chemistry. They can quickly explain tricky concepts and get your learning back on track before it leads to a bad grade or missed assignment.
3. Comfortable Learning Environment
No more sitting on a wooden chair! If the fluorescent lights of a classroom have you running for the door as soon as the bell rings, you’ll love studying from the comfort of your own home.
Being in your own space is relaxing and beneficial for all students — but the real advantage of this comfort is often felt by students who suffer from anxiety, or who identify as neurodivergent. Learning from home removes the pressure of a traditional classroom setting. Online tutoring can help these students focus on the content of their learning, rather than on managing their feelings of stress or discomfort.
4. Technological Advantages
As the demand for online learning increases, the number of digital tools that enhance learning for students and tutors has grown, too. Interactive tools, online games, and other collaborative, computer-based learning methods make tutoring online just as engaging for young learners as being in the classroom.
For older learners, getting familiar with digital platforms can aid them in their education, and in their future careers. Many teachers in high schools and universities are using digital tools for learning (just like tutors are). Removing the learning curve from software and web-based platforms will help students keep their focus on the subject matter rather than digital difficulties.
5. Increased Engagement and Interactivity
Just as learning tools increase engagement, getting individual attention from a tutor is a huge boost to learning and focus. Finding someone who is dedicated to you or your child personally makes tutoring worth every penny. Interactive sessions, with real-time feedback, help learners of all ages — whether they’re completing a worksheet that can be graded together with their tutor, or learning a second language like French.
Tutors also take advantage of online learning to share multimedia content. These include video and audio clips that can illustrate concepts for students in new, engaging ways, or explain subjects in a unique manner. This allows students to grasp the meaning and apply it when they’re in a classroom situation.
6. Efficient Use of Time and Resources
One of the top benefits of online tutoring that most students don't even consider is the time they save in commuting. If you’re in a large city, saving time and money on gas or transit passes can really add up to a major cost-savings when compared with in-person tutoring. Using an online tutor is also great for students who have multiple after-school activities, including music lessons, sports teams, or club memberships. They can squeeze in a session in just a half hour, rather than dedicating a whole evening to in-person tutoring.
7. Immediate Feedback and Support
Students can get instant feedback on assignments and questions with online platforms. In school, when assignments are handed in one week and handed back the next, it can be tricky for students to understand why they made the mistakes that they did. How can they learn to avoid them next time? With an online tutor, they get instant feedback, and can learn to correct their mistakes themselves.
Another benefit of tutoring is on-demand help with small homework questions. Most tutors make themselves available throughout the week to answer questions by email, outside of scheduled sessions. This makes learning accessible for students as they need it. Rather than waiting for a teacher’s scheduled tutorial sessions, or missing out on the answer to their question altogether, students get one-on-one attention as questions come up.
8. Building Digital Literacy
As mentioned, using online learning platforms is a major contributor to digital literacy, a key skill in the modern world. This is one of the benefits of online tutoring for young people. But it can be an even bigger benefit for adult learners, such as retirees or those reentering the workforce. Tutoring is not just for young learners pursuing their formal education — adults can grow with tutoring as well: Learning key career skills, hobbies or interests they were unable to pursue as children, and the knowledge they need to pursue advanced degrees or certifications. With online learning, these advanced students can get more than they bargained for by improving their digital literacy and career-based skills.
9. Access to Expert Tutors
Online learning has opened up a world of experienced tutors to new students. Not only can students find a tutor in a range of niche subjects thanks to online learning, but students living in small towns or rural areas now have access to the same quality of tutoring education that learners in major metropolitan centres have enjoyed for years. Parents and students in these sparsely-populated areas used to struggle to find instruction in specialist areas, or tutors who could support students with learning disabilities, for example. Now, they can find just the right tutor who is a trained expert in working with their needs. Online learning has removed the physical barriers, making education more equally available regardless of the student’s location.
10. Recorded Sessions for Review
Most students can relate to being in the middle of a study session and trying to remember what their teacher said to the class earlier in the day. Wouldn’t it be nice to have instant replay? With a tutor, you can! Online tutoring sessions can be recorded so that students can review a tutor’s lessons while they’re working on their own, and help them to memorise difficult concepts or multi-step problems.
Recorded tutoring sessions can also be a boon for parents as they help their kids with homework. Ensuring that they can stick to the new curriculum for math, for example, or remember other key facts that they can use to support their child’s learning. For parents of younger students, watching a recorded session can also give them insights on their child’s ability to focus with their tutor, and how effective their lessons are.
When it’s time to choose the next step in your education, understanding all your options for learning is critical. Get the personalised support you need with an expert online tutor, and experience all the benefits we’ve listed, plus more!
