With school moving at different paces for some teens more than others, you might be wondering how to find the best support for their studies. One of the options you might have heard about is online tutoring – but what is it really? Why are so many parents thinking about it? And how do you know if it’s what you’re looking for?
We’ve put together a comprehensive guide to help you learn more about online tutoring and shed a light on how your teen can use it to accelerate their studies – from KS2 through to university level.
Is online tutoring effective?
It can be tricky to know how well your teen is doing at school – that’s where a dedicated online tutor can help. Lots of students look for extra support from a tutor, whether they’re trying to nail the top grade or brush up on revision techniques. Some out-of-school help can go a long way, whichever stage they’re starting from. It’s a much more relaxed environment for learning if students are joining tutorials from the comfort of their home and, often, this helps them feel more ready to take in new information. On top of this, we know teens respond well to making their own decisions. With online tutoring, they’re able to choose their own tutor that they’ll get on well with and get support that they trust. Having more ownership over their learning builds a greater sense of personal investment and can lead to even better results.
Often, it’s the little things or the foundational concepts that can hold teens back from feeling confident in their learning. One to one tutoring allows students to work at their own pace, in a safe space where they can ask questions freely – no matter how big or small. This makes way for students to go over topics as much as they need to solidify their understanding and make sure nothing falls through the gap. Their tutor can create tailored learning plans to target difficult topics and make sure they’re staying on track throughout the year – or in the lead-up to exams.
In our study, we found that GCSE and A level students achieved an average grade increase of 1.25 with the support of an online tutor – that’s going from an upper C to an A.
How does online tutoring work?
With an online tutoring platform like MyTutor, all of your teen’s tutorials will be recorded and stored securely in their MyTutor account, giving them unlimited access to rewatch tutorials and absorb the material before moving on to the next topic – without relying on notes. Written feedback from your tutor will also be kept safe in your account, so you’ll have regular updates on your teen’s progress. They’ll fill you in on which areas they’re focusing on to improve your teen’s work and give a clear picture of how your teen will achieve their goals. This not only keeps you in the loop, but sharing feedback with your teen can also keep them motivated and maintain their engagement as they work through the curriculum.
MyTutor works with over 1,000 schools across the UK as well as parents and teens online, delivering excellent quality online tutoring that parents and teachers trust – so you know you’re in good hands.
How does online tutoring benefit families?
We know that tutoring helps teens to excel in their studies at any level, but how easy is it really to fit into family life? We’ve broken this down to show how tutoring can be introduced seamlessly into your family calendar:
- Affordable – it can be quite a bit more cost effective than in-person tutoring, making it a great value option for families who want to stay within their budget without compromising on quality.
- Flexible timings – our tutors manage their own schedules, allowing for fully flexible bookings at any time throughout the week or school year. This gives you the freedom to choose a time that works for you, keeping busy family life running smoothly.
- Access to the best tutors – online tutoring can be set up from anywhere, so you’ll be able to find the UK’s top tutors no matter where you’re based – a real plus for students who are more comfortable learning from home.
What’s the difference between mentoring and tutoring?
Tutors and mentors might seem similar, but they’ll work with your teen in different ways to help them achieve their goals.
- Mentors
Mentors are there to guide your teen, unpicking their long term plans and troubleshooting any current blockers. They are usually someone who works in a similar field to your teen’s interests, letting your teen in on what a particular career might look like by sharing their own life experiences and advice. These conversations can give teens a stronger sense of direction and even spark inspiration for internships or volunteering opportunities that’ll help them plan their future.
They might talk through what they’d like to achieve using coaching techniques to understand the root of your teen’s goals. This will encourage them to think critically about what they’re working towards, bringing them a big step closer to discovering which path is best suited to their interests.
- Tutors
Tutors offer more academic-based support on specific problems your teen is experiencing with the curriculum. This might include anything from recapping topics to fill in any knowledge gaps, to preparing for exams. Tutors are especially good at creating bespoke revision plans that will target your teen’s needs, helping them to learn the best ways to revise for their learning style and offering constructive feedback on their work – a key part of exam prep that will get your teen hitting the top marking criteria.
Extending learning beyond the classroom can be a good step towards building independent learning skills ready for university. Tutors can even offer insights into university life, which will be especially useful if they choose a tutor who attends the same university or relevant course.
Our tutors are all university students who have completed the same exams in recent years, so they’ll be closer in age and can give relevant experience with your teen’s specific exam board. They’ll be able to share what to expect, how best to prepare and act as an older role model – it can really help teens to discuss their career options and concerns with someone who knows exactly what they’re tackling.
How much does a tutor cost?
Making a decision about whether to get a tutor often comes down to cost. We know it’s a big factor in any family decisions you make, so don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. As an important part of helping families feel confident with their teen’s tutoring, we’ve made it accessible with prices starting from just £20/hr.
So, are online tutors worth it?
Online tutoring is often effective for students who are looking for one to one support to improve their grades, or would like support with preparing for a particular exam. They can act as a mentor, as well as an academic coach, to help them understand their concerns and carve out a unique career pathway. And, they’ll work closely with your teen to make sure they achieve their target grades, putting them in the right place to accelerate their careers and build their confidence.
If this sounds like something your teen could benefit from, online tutoring might be the way forward. Take the next step by having a browse for a great tutor on our site and book a chat to talk through your teen’s tutoring needs.