Every person’s life has changed dramatically over the past year because of COVID-19. Since the pandemic, almost all tutoring and education are going online. Online education and tutoring platforms are a necessity today. Many users will continue to use the platform once face-to-face tutoring is resumed. It should be noted that online tutoring platforms for English, Maths and Science tuition is also proven to be highly effective. However, as with all tools, some specific techniques and frameworks can increase their effectiveness. So this blog will explore the existing research and online tutoring tips to answer the question: What makes online tutoring so effective?
What are Online Tutoring Best Practices?
#1. Become Available
You must make sure you have enough time to tutor your students online. Talk with your students before you start your tutoring session to create a lesson plan for both of you. Thus it is important to show up on time to your classes for accountability. You can communicate with students in other ways. They must feel, see, hear and feel you in person, not pre-recorded messages. Therefore, they need your support to keep them motivated, inspired, interested, and engaged. It is one of the effective online tutoring tips.
#2. Be Prepare
Students will find it difficult to understand if they don’t have a clear idea of the tutorial plan. Online tutors need to be ready for their classes. You should always have your online materials prepared, create new resources for students, and plan weekly assessments. You will stay on track if you plan and stick to it. Thus thanks to technology, the best online tutoring tips have made it possible to use your tutorials in many different ways.
#3. Provide Personalised Tutoring
Online tutors need to recognize the differences in learning styles and then apply them to their students for effective learning. However, every student learns differently. It is your responsibility to learn about the different learning styles and adapt them to each student’s needs. Visual learners enjoy looking at images, creating them, and watching others make them. For some verbal learners, reading and writing are preferable. Others might combine the two learning styles. So as a tutor, the most important lesson is to recognize how students learn.
#4. Create a Compelling Profile
Your online tutor profile is your first impression. This is the first time students have had contact with you. So your profile should leave a lasting impression and show that you are a genuine, engaging, professional tutor. Students will first see your profile. Thus create a profile that reflects who you are. Include your teaching subjects, professional pictures, and any qualifications.
#5. Get an Expert Opinion on the Subject
Professional tutors must be clear about the content of the lesson. Hence it isn’t just about the content but also the length of the content. Today’s curious minds are always looking for the best answer to their questions. Professionals can help people who have less patience for the many possible solutions. Thus expert tutors in this field know the difference between what is important and what isn’t.
#6. Teach your Student
It’s amazing to teach students subjects they don’t know much about. As you expand their horizons, they will be curious. So it’s a wonderful experience. However, it won’t be one of the effective online tutoring tips if you give all the information. Instead of giving them all the information they need, make it a puzzle that encourages students to research their answers. It creates genuine interest and high engagement.
#7. Answer Students’ Questions and Doubts
You are constantly observed by curious minds and have many questions. Thus tutors can be a fountain of knowledge that will help them find the answers they are looking for. A good tutor will answer these questions in a reasonable time. So you should inform your students about how quickly you can reply from the beginning of the tutoring program.
#8. Create a Fun Classroom Environment
The best tutors are always open to new ideas and ways to make learning fun for their students. But how to make online tutoring fun? You don’t have to stick with the same old teaching methods. Instead, you can use innovative and new ways to engage students. Many students get bored of the same old teaching methods. You can help them write reviews about the subjects they are studying and share their work on social media. Thus this creates a student-centred approach. So your tutoring sessions will be more enjoyable and engaging for students.
#9. Share your Part
You are responsible for your student’s learning experience and can help them find the best online learning resources and strategies. So you must have a wide range of valuable techniques and resources. Thus these styles include recording lessons and listening, using colour codes, mind maps to summarise information, and more. One of these online tutoring tips might be a good fit for your students.
#10. Promote Critical Thinking
Learning is not about memorising facts and figures. Students should be encouraged to engage in discussions and share their opinions. Thus they would be able to think critically about problems or ideas. Then refine their ideas and move forward towards solving them. So as a teacher, your responsibility is to help students learn and pass exams. You could encourage your students to think critically and be opinionated.
#11. Set Small Goals
Online tutoring can be used to make quick money. Thus this claim is both true and false. If you meet these standards, you will get more money. It might take longer to get a foot in the tutoring industry if you are a novice and have to charge more for classes. Do not rush to schedule too many classes if you’re new to the tutoring world. Hence online tutoring is a great way to start small and then grow. It might take some time to get the hang of it, but it will become easier.
#12. Understand the Students
Every tutor must be able to recognize and adapt to each Student’s uniqueness. Each student is unique in their ways and in the skills they have. You can be like a psychologist interested in understanding human patterns and how to best relate to them. Understanding each Student’s unique perspectives is essential. Thus this includes how long it takes to process information, how fast they understand, how skilled they are, and what they find difficult to understand.
#13. Be a professional
Online tutoring requires professional behaviour, just like any other job. This work-at-home job has its requirements. So to make a professional impression during the online meeting, dress in professional attire. You should designate a separate space in your home for work. It is vital to keep everything in one place to find it easy. Last but not least, make sure you have an excellent internet connection. It is one of the best tutoring practices.
Wrapping up
These 13 best online tutoring tips will help you become a successful online tutor. Online tutoring should be approached with professionalism. However, you can also add your uniqueness to online tutoring. Find new ways to connect with students to make you stand out and help you be the best in your field.
