Are Online Math Tutors Effective?

Does the convenience or discount rate of an online tutoring service tempt you? Virtual tutoring services are sometimes (not always!) cheaper and may seem more convenient. 

Who Benefits from Online Tutoring?

Online tutoring can be the perfect solution for high schoolers doing fine in math overall if they get stuck on a homework problem at midnight. Virtual tutoring might also be the only option available for kids living in remote mountain towns or rural communities and it may be the best solution for children who are homebound due to illness or other factors. Qualified online help is better than no help. However, for many children, online tutoring is not the most effective solution and here's why.

Reasons In-Person Instruction is Still the Best Model

For students consistently struggling with math, in-person instruction is optimum. Read below for four reasons to choose in-person instruction.

1)      Children struggling in math need help from a math education expert. Will they get a highly qualified math tutor online? Maybe, maybe not. You have to trust that the online tutoring company vets their tutors to your high standards.

At Mathnasium of Littleton, each instructor applicant takes a series of three math tests to screen for math competency. If the applicant passes the tests, then they go through a lengthy interview process that includes time being observed working with children in our center. This is because not everyone who is good at math, can explain math concepts in a way that makes sense to kids who are struggling. Once the applicant has passed the interview, they are background screened and then offered a position. We then train them in our proprietary teaching strategies. The initial training currently takes about 16 hours and is then followed up with monthly training sessions in our staff meetings as well as ongoing, hands-on training in the center. Approximately eight out of every ten applicants to our center are not offered a position.

2)      Children struggling in math need a person who can listen to them, ask follow-up questions, and understand their needs.  An instructor who has rapport with your child will better motivate your child when the child gets frustrated. Instructors and students meeting in person develop a relationship, enabling the instructor to understand your child’s specific educational and motivational needs. Will an online tutor form that level of bond with your child? Unlikely. Building that type of connection via a computer interface is much harder.

Mathnasium instructors spend a few minutes when students enter the center or at the end of a session doing a fun math warm-up or cool down. In addition to priming the students’ brain for more challenging math, the warm-up activity gives the instructor and student time to laugh and bond.

3)      Children struggling in math need focused and engaged study time. Will an online tutor know when the child starts playing a game or surfing the web during a tutoring session? Probably not. Students using online tutoring have a hard time resisting the temptation of social media, games, and funny videos. If the tutor does notice the child is distracted, will they be able to redirect the child through a computer? That is doubtful.

An in-person instructor will be able notice if your child starts to get lost and adapt the instruction.  At Mathnasium of Littleton, students put electronics away and get to work.

4)      Children struggling in math need to hear explanations multiple times and multiple ways. Being in the same physical location gives the instructor-student duo the ability to work and talk together without delays or barriers. The computer and software often wastes time and adds a layer of confusion that impedes learning.

Even with all the wondrous aspects of technology, often the best way to teach is up close and personal. At Mathnasium of Littleton, your child will get personalized attention to overcome their challenges and thrive. Our proven tutoring Method helps students with different learning styles and challenges.If you decide online tutoring is the best fit for your situation, thoroughly research the program first.

Related and referenced articles:

·         Get Fit and Strong at the Mathnasium Gymnasium

·         The Monumental Difference Between Khan Academy and Mathnasium of Littleton

·         Where is Your Child on the Motivation Ladder?

·         A Parent’s Guide to Math Interventions

·         Absolute Values and How They are Positives in Life as Well as Math

To read empirical evidence about online tutoring visit http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.3102/0162373715592706

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