Doubt if Online Tutoring is Right for Your Kid? Myths Revealed!

Many parents are apprehensive about getting their children tutored online. Let's, one by one, look at the reasons parents may be reluctant in enrolling their kids in an online tutoring program and suggest ways to overcome their anxiety.

1) Effectiveness- Parents think that tutoring cannot be effective unless the tutor is sitting right in front of their child, gauging his reaction and monitoring his every move.

Is it true? No. Some children need personal attention while learning but as long as they have the right learning tools and a competent online tutor, online learning can be as effective, if not more. Some kids are shy by nature and they may feel more comfortable asking questions and clearing their doubts in a virtual environment where they cannot actually see the tutor. For such kids, face-to-face tutoring can be intimidating and if they don’t feel comfortable with their tutor, their whole point of learning is defeated. Kids may also be inclined to take more initiative because even if they solve something incorrectly, chances of awkwardness with the tutor are less.

2) Safety- Is it safe for my child?

Of course it’s safe. It is, perhaps, the safest way to get tutoring help to your child. You can sit right next to your child’s computer when the tutoring is in progress or you can continue with your daily chores while your child is sitting in the same room and talking to his tutor. It’s much better than driving around your child to a learning center or having a stranger come in to your house every week.

3) Too much work- How will the tutor know what my child is learning in school and how will the teaching take place without the book?

We are living in a communication rich world my friend. If the same book is not available, study material and lesson plans can be faxed, scanned and emailed very easily to the tutor. Emails make it very convenient for regular updates to be communicated to the tutor.

4) Software- How much will I need to invest?

As long as you have a headset to establish voice communication with the teacher, you don’t need to invest in any software. Most software needed for online tutoring programs are free to download and don’t occupy too much space on your computer either. If you have a reliable computer with internet connection, you are good to go.

5) Scheduling- How frequent are the sessions? My kids are involved in a lot of extracurricular activities.

Scheduling online sessions is very convenient and you can choose as many sessions as you want. Most programs offer enough flexibility to reschedule in case of any last minute changes and there are no long-term contracts to bind you. Your child just has to go online, take sessions and you can take a break or discontinue whenever you want. Isn’t that sweet?

6) Cost- It must be expensive. Can I afford it?

Online tutoring is the most affordable tutoring option you’ll find in the market. Involving a global talent pool with the help of technology makes tutoring extremely affordable. You save on gas and don’t pay any premium to use high-priced learning centers or private tutors.

Being parents, concern about kids’ security and future is completely justifiable but depriving kids of services that may actually benefit their future and aid learning is pure ignorance. Save time and money and give your children the most convenient and effective tool to strengthen their concepts and to improve their grades.