Online tutoring for your child: the benefits, the issues, and choosing an online tutor

Oct 16, 2023
7 min read

Updated: Jul 22

Online tutoring is an increasingly popular choice for students and their families. Although many tutors operated online before the pandemic, remote learning has since become far more widespread in education, giving parents more choice.

Online tutors now work at all levels to complement school learning; some also provide home schooling or specialise in certain subjects. UK-based tutors often specialise in particular subjects at GCSE or A level. Of course, there are pros and cons to hiring an online tutor, and just like the traditional in-person approach, choosing the right one is an important decision.

I hope to give you the benefit of my experience as a parent and an online tutor, looking at the benefits and potential issues, and sharing some tips to help you make the right choice for your child.

Online tutoring: the benefits

A different perspective

A one-to-one relationship with an online tutor is different from sitting in a class of 30 pupils. In school, students may be reluctant to ask questions when surrounded by their peers, while teachers have the difficult job of dividing their attention 30 ways. The most common reason parents contact me is that topics misunderstood or missed during school lessons leave gaps in knowledge that are difficult to fill while teaching continues at pace.

As an online tutor, I have the rewarding job of working solely for each child, one to one, to target specific areas. A good tutor becomes something like a personal trainer, working on topics your child chooses, sometimes over and over, which simply isn’t possible in a school environment. This lets us try new approaches, perhaps metaphors that capture tricky scientific concepts. Parents and students usually find that tutoring and school learning complement each other, giving fresh perspectives.

Convenience and flexibility

Online tutoring can be much more convenient than in-person tutoring, where appointments depend on schedules, social lives and traffic. With online sessions, you no longer have to worry about lifts. Pupils can log on from different rooms or houses, during free periods at school, or wherever they are in the world. Online tutors can be flexible too, fitting in more easily around your schedule.

The key to successful GCSEs and A levels is a consistent homework routine, and tutoring can become a seamless part of this. Logging in from the comfort of your own home can make all the difference to relaxing and, hopefully, enjoying the sessions. Feeling comfortable is an important part of keeping your child’s wellbeing and outlook the best it can be.

Privacy and wellbeing

Learning in your own surroundings, possibly in your slippers, creates a different mindset from school learning, or even from in-person tutoring. Online sessions provide privacy for students who might be self-conscious or anxious, or those with a busy home life.

Sometimes parents worry that an online tutor might not help their child open up the way in-person tutoring might. I’ve found the opposite is often true; students are familiar and comfortable with online platforms, allowing them to feel in control and therefore more at ease. It’s from this point of safety, respect and understanding that information flows both ways. Wellbeing is increasingly recognised as a crucial aspect of learning, and of your child getting the grades they want.

Access to expertise when your child needs it

Hiring an online tutor rather than an in-person one means you don’t have to restrict your search to your local area. Online tutors often specialise in different subjects and qualifications, so with a little research, the choice is yours. There are some tips for hiring a specialist online tutor below. From the tutor’s point of view, we want to establish trust as soon as possible, and to be as useful as we can.

Access to resources when you need them

It’s common to share notes, diagrams and files during an online session. Platforms like Skype and Zoom let these files be accessed from anywhere, especially if your child has a laptop or smartphone. This adds to the flexibility of online sessions, and means your child always has help on hand.

I offer my students the chance to send me troubleshooting questions on science or maths between sessions, so I can reply and put their minds at ease before the next one. This is usually popular in the lead-up to exams.

Online tutoring: the issues

Online tutoring may not be for everyone

Online tutoring trades personal contact for flexibility; your child won’t be sitting next to the tutor, and this may affect your choice. Most students don’t mind either way. The relationship between online tutor and tutee can take longer to establish, and this rapport is crucial (see below). Yet online tutoring also means fewer distractions, making it easier to concentrate on the topic in hand, and to relax and digest the information later.

Speaking personally, as well as a tutor I’m a qualified personal development coach, and one-to-one sessions sometimes give me the chance to help students more generally with their wellbeing, confidence and outlook. Usually parents and students feel reassured, and more relaxed, having sessions in their own home, with online tutoring fitting neatly into their day.

Online learning requires commitment and discipline

Both tutor and tutee need to be invested in the process; it requires an equal commitment. Similar to homework routines set by schools, students are responsible for work between online sessions. This is an area where parents can work with the tutor, helping to remind their child about upcoming sessions or checking in to make sure everything is going well.

Online tutoring works best with students who have a clear idea of what they want to get out of each hour and a goal in mind, perhaps a target grade in an upcoming test. Often students can supply a list of topics they want to work on in advance, saving time at the start of a session.

Online tutoring may be expensive

In a crowded marketplace, it’s usually true that you get what you pay for. With its rise in popularity, online tutoring has seen an increase in competition, and prices vary widely. Occasionally, people are less honest about their skills or experience, so it’s important to consider each tutor’s merits (how they come across, their experience and qualifications) when making a choice. After all, they may be working with your child for months, if not years.

Finding an online tutor in a crowded marketplace

It can be difficult to know which online tutor from your shortlist is the best fit for you and your child. The best advice is to decide what you’re looking for before you start your search. When you’re ready, here are some tips to follow.

Be specific about what you’re looking for

Is your child working towards a GCSE or an A level? Are there particular topics they need help with? Perhaps they’ve missed some school and need to catch up, or they’re aiming to continue schooling between exams.

Make sure you have some ideas about what you want before you start looking, and that it’s what your child wants too. This may sound obvious, but often students come to tutoring with a clear idea; they know which topics they’re strongest on and which need a second look. This level of self-awareness can make all the difference to getting the best results.

Be specific about what you’re looking for

Where do I look for an online tutor?

Online tutoring agencies host a wide range of tutors, but don’t restrict yourself to these sites. Some place a tutor’s contact details behind a paywall, making it harder to have the conversation that informs your decision. Look on Google, and again be specific in your search terms: what subject are you looking for? 'Online biology tutor' is more specific than 'online tutor', for example. Many tutors have a social media presence too, so look at Facebook, Instagram and so on. Tutors expect you to be looking at multiple options at once, so don’t be afraid to interview them.

Look for a tutor’s qualifications and experience

As online tutoring has become more popular, the marketplace has grown, but you can use that to your advantage. First, look for a tutor who specialises in your child’s chosen subject. These tutors often have the most experience, are most up to date with exam specifications, and inspire trust. Make a shortlist based on qualifications and experience, and keep an eye out for useful complementary skills. For example, I was a cancer research scientist and have a PhD in maths and biology.

I now specialise in A-level biology tutoring, but I also provide academic coaching, as I’m a qualified coach. Other tutors may have a background in finance, medicine, drama or languages, and this life and career experience can only help.

Look for meaningful reviews

Five-star ratings on Facebook might be easy to mimic, so it’s important to look for opinions and recommendations, ideally from people you know and trust, but also heartfelt testimonials from former students and their families. It’s common for a tutor to become an important person in a student’s life, and this may be reflected in personal stories and reviews that resonate with you.

Many online tutors also work locally in their own towns and cities, so local reviews on Google are a good place for research too.

Rapport is hugely important

Trust and honesty are important for getting the best out of tutoring, and a good tutor will try to build this rapport quickly. Great rapport turns sessions from a chore into, if not fun, then at least a meaningful chat with someone your child can rely on.

Often humour takes the edge off daunting topics, puts students at ease and leads to new ways of thinking about exam questions. We want to get to the point where your child can open up about not getting a topic; from there we can fill any gaps in their knowledge or work on exam technique and confidence.

Meeting prospective online tutors

Online tutors usually offer a free introductory call, giving you the chance to meet them and ask questions. Ask about their approach, their experience and what a typical session looks like. Discuss your child’s current situation with their studies and be honest about expectations. If your child has any specific requirements or special needs the tutor should know about, you can raise these now, or in a separate call. Above all, look for someone who complements their expertise with the right approach and manner for you and your child.

Ask for advice on choosing a tutor

If you have any questions, or need advice on online tutoring or choosing a tutor, I’m happy to help. Just get in touch: John@wooltontutors.co.uk.

About the author

Dr John Ankers

John is a PhD-qualified biologist and mathematician offering friendly one-to-one tutoring in science and mathematics, specialising in online A-level biology tutoring. You can find him at wooltontutors.co.uk.

There’s plenty you can do at home to help your teen with GCSE and sixth form studies, as well as creating lifelong healthy habits. Find out more in The Parents' Guide to Homelife and Study - GCSEs and The Parents' Guide to Homelife and Study - sixth form.