At first, the Internet was just a novelty, something to look over and experiment with, but since then, its use has pervaded every aspect our modern lives, specifically in education. The Internet plays a vital role in education. Its power to bring together people for learning in what we call online tutoring best exemplifies this role.
Online tutoring usually brings together tutors and tutees in a virtual setting. They meet in a chat room, a website or a forum and arrange specific times to hold tutoring sessions. These times often factor in the differences in time zones between the two parties.
Although commonly associated with language teaching, online tutoring also has other uses. Online tutoring facilitates learning in Math and Science subjects, especially when immediate feedback is given and interactive quizzes and educational games are available for downloads.
However, the popularity of online tutoring does not necessarily mean it can now replace in-home tutoring. Differences between these two types of tutoring present their respective advantages and disadvantages over each other.
Online tutoring requires the use of the computer with a web cam, and a headset with microphone. The student and tutor should have good Internet speed rates that can handle VoIP connections. In-home tutoring, on the other hand, requires less equipment for both tutors and students to hold tutoring sessions.
Online tutoring sessions, especially when pre-recorded material is available, allows flexibility in scheduling. However, it does not allow tutors to work alongside the student’s teachers because of disparity in location. To get over this hurdle, the tutors can provide feedback to the teachers and the parents through email.
Yet, in-home tutoring remains a very effective supplement to institutional learning. The structures of our education system do not permit freedom in learning. An in-home tutor fills in the gaps while fulfilling the role of learning facilitator. A learning facilitator makes learning desirable and easy, especially when the student has difficulties with the subject.
In-home tutoring is also appropriate for helping students with learning disabilities. The tutor functions as a learning facilitator as well as a therapist. Conversely, online tutoring often lacks the human interaction, which plays an important role in therapy and learning.
When considering the kind of tutoring their child needs, parents should factor in each tutoring type’s advantages and disadvantages, as well as the equipment requirements and the tutor’s qualifications.