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5 Reasons Online Tutoring Services are Better for Math

Updated: Jan 4, 2023

Consider these 5 advantages of using a one-to-one online tutoring service for math tutoring.

  1. Increased Customization and Engagement

  2. More Accommodating for Students and Parents

  3. Saves time

  4. Saves money

  5. Safer


Engaged student using online tutoring services
Online tutoring services offer better results


Let's look at each of these advantages in more detail


Increased Customization and Engagement


Experienced math tutors have several resources they utilize in tutoring students. Online math tutors ( especially those using multiple monitors) have full access to their resources while tutoring (both physical and online resources). This allows them to better respond to a student's needs during a lesson. Even when a tutor prepares meticulously ahead of time, there will be circumstances when modifying the lesson will best address the needs of the student. Examples of this include 1) presenting more advanced math problems, 2) presenting more basic math problems, 3) presenting additional similar problems to reinforce the learning, 4) moving to word problems for that same topic, 5) presenting more basic word problems and 6) moving to more advanced word problems for that same topic. Having familiar alternative resources at the ready, the tutor is able to present the just-right material for that student. These might be at the student's current level or just above the student's current level to move them forward. Every student is different and they each learn at a different pace. In this way, the student engagement is happening for the entire lesson. Engaged students learn better.


Another quick seamless modification the math tutor can do while engaged in online tutoring services is they may decide to offer grid paper for the student. For a student in the early grades continuing to work on place value or doing long division with decimals this can really help. This tool helps to guide the student to line the numbers up properly to make it easier (increasing the success while lowering the student's frustration). This is easily done using the popular online whiteboard Bitpaper. Further, maybe the student needs larger grids. This is also easily changed on the spot.


I have quite a large collection of math resources I use for my online tutoring service. This makes it possible to always have on hand the next just right math excercise(s) for my students. For more details on how I customized my lessons, click here to read the article "Should I Get a Math Tutor? What Does a Math Tutor Do Anyway?".


Further, the student and the tutor both have front-row seats. Why is this online better than sitting side by side? Think about two right-handed people sitting side by side. One of the two will not be able to see the other's work until they have completed it (because their hand is obstructing the view while they are working). However, with online math tutoring, as the student works out the math problems using a pen tablet, the tutor gains valuable insight that informs the tutor's next steps for the tutoring. For example, the tutor can spot the exact stage where the student is making the error. Note: Pen tablets are available for a reasonable cost on amazon.


By having more customized math lessons, the student's ability, confidence, motivation and engagement improve more quickly. Why is this? Because we will not be wasting your student's time (and your money) with standardized material that covered everything (even the material your student already knows well).


Online tutoring services offer more customization
Tutor's monitors for online tutoring services


More Accommodating for Students and Parents


The student will learn in a familiar/comfortable environment (at home). For the parent, coordinating children's schedules is reduced (especially helpful if they have other children). It is easier to be on time for tutoring (and less frustrating) because of not having to engage with traffic getting to tutoring. Today many students are already familiar with the computer and the internet.


Saves Time


The time spent driving back and fourth for tutoring is eliminated. Also, the time spent getting ready to leave the house is eliminated. This frees up more time to enjoy other activities.


Saves Money


Less money is spent on gasoline to get to the tutor or eliminate additional travel fees for the tutor. Gas prices in my area are high. Also, the temptation to pick up expensive fast food is eliminated since you will be at home.


Safer


You don't have to worry about having a stranger in your home. You don't have to worry about meeting a stranger. Even meeting in a public place with a stranger can be awkward.



It is important to note that online tutoring services are not online schooling. The biggest difference between these two is that the student is engaged for the whole tutoring session with 1-1 online tutoring with me.


Click here if you need help from a Pre-Algebra tutor online with getting your student engaged and back onto the success track.

Author: Sigrid Kimbrough Thivemathtutoring.com



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