As we predominantly operate within the digital realm in today’s society, it was inevitable that much of the private tutoring industry has shifted into the online sphere in recent years. Although there may be some initial resistance from parents to embrace online tutoring, I can say with certainty – those have used our online interactive whiteboard have been impressed with its effectiveness in delivery. It is incredibly user-friendly; we have had several students as young as 6 years old who have been able to proficiently use and benefit from this platform. Online tutoring has undoubtedly revolutionised the way in which we learn and consume information.

Online or Home Tutoring?

Contrary to popular belief, online tutoring, in my personal opinion is far superior to in-person tutoring. The internet allows users to have access to resources such as past examination papers and search engines to retrieve specific information within a few clicks of a button.

Furthermore, for those that prefer having something tangible and physical, work that has been conducted online using our online platform can be converted to PDF file and printed within a few clicks of a button. Whilst there will always be a demand for home tutoring in-person, there has been nothing that our online tutoring platform has not been unable to cater for. In fact, quite the opposite.

Online tutoring allows real-time face to face interaction; has features to significantly increase the speed at which content is delivered. Its ‘newness’ element seems to increase our students’ engagement, making lessons an even more enjoyable experience.

Initial Objections

Naturally, many parents may have initial reservations about having their children work with an online tutor due to its ‘unknown’ element. However, the retention rates of parents staying on this platform after its initial trial has been over 95% in my experience. Based on feedback, the only reasons why the very few parents have not continued have not necessarily been due to the platform itself, but rather their unfamiliarity of the digital space.

The personal interaction in private home tutoring can certainly be powerful and effective. Having someone personally come over to your home to deliver a lesson offers students feelings of reassurance, especially where confidence is lacking. Home tutoring is typically delivered using physical pens, paper and worksheets. Whilst many like to work with tangible facilities, resources can be limited.

Other initial objections may be that online tutoring is an impersonal service; this most assuredly is not the case. Video conferencing allows lessons to be delivered real-time, much like in person. Our online interactive whiteboard is as the name states – it is essentially a whiteboard that both or multiple parties can access at the same time, wherever you are in the world. This is the advancement of technology and in this digital age; it may actually be a disservice to yourself to not embrace the gift of this incredible platform.

Benefits of Online Tutoring

Online tutoring removes certain social pressures that can be present in-home tutoring. From the tutor’s perspective, not having to be physically restricted to a certain location can offer tutor more time to be spent on potentially planning lessons or on other commitments. Additionally, it also simplifies the process of having to have so many things at hands. All that is really required is a computer and internet connection.

For those who may be hesitant to try online tutoring, think about it from a long-term perspective. Your child will develop further competency in technical skills, more likely to increase in engagement and concentration due to the technology element. Furthermore, much of school homework is already based on the use of computer and the internet. ‘Mathletics’, an online homework for Mathematics, is becoming a popular tool that teachers encourage children to use to complete homework tasks. From a long-term perspective for tutor retention, it is far more likely that the tutor-student relationship can be maintained despite changes in lifestyles like travelling if tutors are not restricted by location.

Personal Experience

In my experience as an online tutor, I have been able to add value and positively impact an abundance of young people and their families through this means. 100% of my 11+ students’ last term successfully gained offers to their first choice of secondary school both independent and grammar schools including St Pauls Boys, Haberdashers, St Olave’s grammar school, Dulwich Boys to name a few. Whilst I cannot take full credit for my students’ incredible work, I feel privileged to be able to be a part of their academic and personal development despite not having to physically be with them in person. The beauty of leveraging technology and the internet is being able to reach people you may not necessarily be able to in person.

There are very few limitations using the online tutoring platform. Technical difficulties have never been a problem in my experience, though it may be a factor some parents may be concerned about. However, this is no different to experiencing traffic or transport delays in reality.

The Current Trend

There is a wave of people who are discovering and adapting to the trend of online tutoring. The world around us is evolving and innovating daily and with the rhythm of life patterning more advance in technology, I would strongly encourage anyone who has any reservations in observing tuition through this means to look beyond the traditional approach and try it for yourself. You will be able to gain access to a powerhouse of skills our tutors from all walks of life worldwide. For example, if you are a student who would like access to a Cambridge University tutor, may be infeasible for the tutor to travel to your location if it is outside of these premises without extra travel costs incurred.

Finally…

Online tutoring may also mean that work to be carried out transparently and openly – parents are welcome to sit in the same room as their children, subject to all parties being happy with this arrangement, contrary to the etiquettes of private home tutoring where parents often leave their children alone.

Ultimately, the results speak for themselves. Our students who utilise this platform have still been able to maintain a ‘human-connection’ by simply using an ‘internet-connection’. Academically, we can say with utmost confidence that it has only been an advancement of our students’ learning experience and competency.

Are you interested in arranging private online tutoring with one of our inspiring tutors? Contact Us today to arrange a lesson and discover the benefits of online tutoring today.