online tutors

online tutors

The Impact and Effectiveness of Online Tutors in Education

1. Introduction to Online Tutoring

In order to fully understand not just the impact – but perhaps more importantly the effectiveness – of tutoring, it is advisable to include some of the elements that contribute significantly to understanding online tutoring and how it can fit, or not fit, within. This article is divided into seven sections, the first of which is ‘Introduction’ and provides an overview of this article. The second section, ‘The Main Relevant Theories on Tutoring’, will consider the most important of these theoretical constructs that will help situate the rest of the article. The third contains a brief synopsis of the evidence in relation to the impact and the effectiveness of tutoring. The fourth outlines some of the practical challenges and solutions to implementing tutoring, with a primary focus on online tutoring.

As the media starts to focus on online or remote tutoring, a report emerged that claimed a large proportion of young people in the UK felt that the system of online tutoring had made them too reliant on live teaching. This was placed next to a reflection that live support could also make them feel embarrassed if they did not understand tasks quickly – an issue highlighted by others and indeed likely to be amplified by the specifics of the National Tutoring Programme (NTP) mentioned above. Therefore, a rise in importance of online or remote tutoring will also have a clear impact on existing academic and policy debates.

2. Advantages and Benefits of Online Tutoring

Advances in technology have dramatically improved student engagement in education. The use of video chat has been shown to increase student involvement in online tutorials. Thus, the academic performance of students who use online tutoring is better.

Today’s fast-growing world is increasingly dependent on the Internet. Online tutoring is quickly becoming a preferred learning medium for students. There are several reasons for this. Students can have the freedom to learn from online tutors. Globalization has deleted regional barriers, making it possible to hire instructors from abroad. They provide their services at a fraction of the cost of home services. Certificate Tutoring aims to meet the needs of students with varying skill levels and learning styles. In other words, online tutoring can cater to a wider audience.

Many people believe that only students who are struggling benefit from tutors. This is not true. Children with strong study skills who require tutoring for strong encouragement can expect a number of benefits from tuition, even if they are receiving help in missionary physics or elementary biology preliminary preparation for coursework. The opportunity to seek individual attention from a tutor often provides graduates who need a tutor with an advantage.

Millions of students of all ages use online tutors every day to enhance their educational experience. In addition to its many advantages, online tutoring can also be more affordable than its offline equivalent. It is not uncommon to be pleasantly surprised at how much time you can have with an online tutor for the same fee as an hour with an offline tutor.

3. Challenges and Limitations of Online Tutoring

Another challenge is the lack of personal interaction between the students and tutor in the online environment. Although the use of a shared interface can encourage discussion between the students, for some, intervening and asking the tutor for help, advice, and support in the same way they would a friend on a social media application may be awkward. Thus, instead of fully participating in the proceedings, some students may be hesitant to type what they are thinking, feeling, or how they are reacting to the situation or topic of discussion. Moreover, it is acknowledged in the literature that not all students have the patience or silence needed to absorb digital audio and visual material. There appear to be two different perspectives on how free resource storage sites like YouTube are viewed in academia.

However, online tutoring isn’t without its faults and some of the potential drawbacks will be explored in this section. Firstly, the technological requirements for participants in online tutorials can be a significant limitation. Variations in the quality of software and hardware on individual computers can also lead to problems with secure connections. Consequently, not all students attending online tutorials will have access to a highly developed technological environment, which is a concern given the digital divide present in the UK. As well as students’ digital literacy, the affordability of electronic resources needs to be considered. The inability to provide individual users with technological devices that meet the software and online tutoring application’s systems requirements, along with a high-quality internet connection, could potentially prevent the impact of online programs and resources from being fully evaluated and realized.

4. Best Practices and Strategies for Effective Online Tutoring

Online tutoring with a student who has difficulty with technology tools is difficult. The use of technology tools such as control, write, select tool, highlight, and screen share needs to be taught to the student and checked during tutoring sessions. Use feedback tools to provide the student with constructive feedback rather than telling the student what to do or what question to ask. Suggest tools and models for independent practice rather than telling the student what to do or showing the student what to do. Communication through online tutoring is electronic rather than face-to-face. The manner of delivery and style of tutoring to be used are different than when tutoring is in-person. For example, complex verbal explanations may be difficult to deliver and comprehend online. In order to be an effective online tutor, one needs to possess strong critical thinking, skill building, and the ability to use online tools. Outlook, initiative, high regard for others, strategic problem-solving, a positive attitude, and integrity are also important when providing online access. Tutors should remain positive and flexible during online tutoring interruptions.

In a recent article in the Tutoring, A Dynamic Industry Handbook, the article contributes to the training of our tutors in providing online tutoring services to our students. These tips and strategies are based on the most recent research in online tutoring and learning and have been revised to include a specific focus on reading. The contents of this article are organized to begin with an explanation of what online tutoring is and why it is effective. This is followed by an explanation of six best practices in providing online tutoring.

5. Future Trends and Innovations in Online Tutoring

A shift in the pedagogical approach to online tutoring will focus on areas of proactive motivation and the implementation of learning enhancement technology. The learning environment will emphasize an even heavier focus on student engagement methodologies. With the support of technology-enhanced learning, remote courses can incorporate webinar-style classes and large groups. Where there are smaller groups for tutoring, students will interact with the teacher using their own terminal. Trauma-informed tutors will offer one-to-one support specifically for the most vulnerable students to mentor these young people. The traditional university circle of attention will be truly resurrected into online supported study. In sum, the future of education is likely to see advances in the pioneering use of technology-enhanced tutor-student interaction influencing the full learning experience. Further technology developments such as AI-enhanced learning will shift the teaching landscape further in an unforeseen direction.

There are a number of future trends and innovations that will impact the provision and effectiveness of online tutoring. At the heart of these trends is the implementation and development of technology that enhances the experiences of both students and teachers. Online, active, teaching, and learning (cool) platforms have the potential to revolutionize the way we think and feel about online tutor support. These cool platforms will add additional benefits such as a dramatic reduction in student stress and boost the retention of tutors. Freeform colored solutions will be part of these technology-enhanced tutor-student interactions. This will allow the student to feel increasingly part of the decision-making process.