Educating students online has grown since 2020 with almost all students receiving some form of online education between the period of 2020-2022. The way in which lessons are delivered has changed and this has certainly been met with mixed opinions. Of course, traditional learning in a classroom provides a whole host of benefits from collaboration to instant access to physical resources. However, it is important to be mindful that there are a number of children who thrive in quieter spaces where they can focus and explore subjects of interest in more depth. For those with a learning need, classrooms can be challenging environments. Additionally, for those students who need that little boost to understand particular concepts, sometimes in a class of thirty students, teachers are unable to provide that one-to-one feedback and instant support. This is not from a want of trying but merely the lack of support staff in a classroom and teachers being unable to reach every student in every lesson of every school day.
Private tutoring in person can benefit students who thrive by communicating and being around others, as well as those who need a quieter space to learn and who want to ask questions and receive instant feedback.
Online learning has been criticised for its inability to meet the needs of learners. This may be the case for cohorts that are great in number and aspects such as behaviour management and technology support. Teachers will remember the phrase "Please turn your microphone off." However, each child is unique and how they learn will vary. From experience, it is sometimes far easier for a student to learn online with a teacher that can give them instant feedback and support than it is for them to learn in a class full of thirty students.
Naturally, there are factors that need to be taken into consideration such as a child's age, their learning style and perhaps any educational need(s) they may have. Parents know their child's needs the most and they are best suited to identifying which delivery method will provide the most benefit to their child.
My advice to tutors is to offer a balance where possible. That way, you are able to reach a wider client base.
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