Finding Online Academic Support: A Guide to Virtual Tutoring Options

Is arranging for online tutors to provide students with homework help worth it? Research clearly shows the answer is yes. The Poverty Action Lab notes that tutoring increases learner achievement by up to 15 months of learning across all grade levels. The Institute of Education Sciences has found that tutoring is most effective when conducted by professional tutors or teachers rather than parents.

Statistics from the 2022 to 2023 school year show that the homework subjects that require the most tutoring are math, reading, and social studies. However, each learner is different and has different strengths and weaknesses. While electives such as computer science and world language don't require as much tutoring as many core subjects, access to virtual homework help in these topics can spell the difference between graduating with grades high enough to earn good scholarships and barely passing a course with a mediocre grade.

Online Tutoring: What are the Options?

There are various online tutoring options to provide assistance with elementary, secondary, high school, and even college homework. Even so, these options tend to fall under two categories: asynchronous online tutoring and synchronous online tutoring.

Asynchronous Online Tutoring

Asynchronous online tutoring includes resources such as Khan Academy and YouTube. These and other beneficial sites allow learners to practice skills, review weak areas, and get extra help with challenging topics. Teachers can assign specific videos or course materials as part of a homework assignment, so learners don't have to search through these resources to find the information they're looking for. As an added benefit, you don't have to pay for these helpful resources. They are freely available to anyone with an internet connection. Unfortunately, these forms of virtual homework help don't offer live, in-person help.

Many learners do well using asynchronous online resources, especially if the homework help they receive comes from certified instructors. However, asynchronous online tutoring isn't ideal for most public school students for several reasons. First, students who don't understand how the subject matter is presented can't connect with someone to get answers to their questions. Second, asynchronous tutoring can't help students identify learning difficulties that could make it hard to understand a particular subject. Finally, asynchronous tutoring doesn't allow students to build a bond with an educator or fellow learners. Research shows a clear connection between positive teacher-student relationships and an increase in student attendance and engagement and improved grades.

Synchronous Online Tutoring

Live online tutoring is ideal because students can get immediate answers to each of their questions. Many sites will even allow students to send in written homework and get personalized advice on how to improve their writing, spelling, composition, etc. Instant homework help is often available 24/7 to make it possible for learners to get help at any time of the day or night.

Furthermore, tutors can not only offer online lessons but also help learners identify their ideal learning style. Live private tutors also offer students a safe space to communicate about their course work, learning struggles, and other issues that may affect their academic progress. Getting personal help from a live tutor isn't just about learning algebra, chemistry, or American history. It's not just about passing tests, although that's important too. Rather, it's personal assistance that teaches students how to identify the best way to learn and retain information. It provides motivation to want to do well in school as the tutor encourages student efforts and points out ways in which they can improve. Being able to work with a tutor will benefit students even after they graduate and start university.

What to Look for in an Online Tutoring Company

While it is possible to hire private tutors, finding enough private tutors to cover all grades and subjects is no easy task. That's why many district administrators opt to hire an online tutoring company. There are many such companies to pick from; however, it's important to know what to look for when selecting a company to ensure all learner needs are properly met.

Expert Tutors

A good tutoring company will hire certified teachers who have experience teaching online. Certified teachers are not only well-versed in the subject matter but also have the training needed to keep learners engaged, identify the best learning style for each student, and help students who are struggling to comprehend a subject to grasp key points.

Multiple Subject Options

Make sure the online tutoring company you work with can meet all your school district's needs. The company should offer tutoring in all core subjects, for all grade levels. They should be able to provide online homework help for popular subjects and complex concepts such as calculus and advanced chemistry. Test prep help is important as well, as it can help learners earn better grades than they would be able to otherwise.

Services for Special Education Students

Nearly half of school districts and 80% of states report a shortage of special education teachers. Unfortunately, this has resulted in many special ed students being assigned to new, inexperienced teachers who don't have the expertise or skills needed to help these students in the best way possible. Providing instant homework help that targets the needs of 504 and IEP students can help these learners make good academic progress.

Good Communication with Teachers and District Administrators

Ideally, virtual homework help services shouldn't be separate from public school services. Rather, an online classroom offering tutoring services should stay in touch with public school teachers and district administrators. Tutors can offer insight into learner comprehension and performance that will allow public school teachers to tailor classes to better meet learner needs. Public school teachers can inform tutors about upcoming tests so tutors can offer targeted test prep services to students before the exam.

Why Work with Proximity Learning?

Proximity Learning isn't just a homework help company. The company is an industry leader in the field of virtual synchronous education. We offer livestream classes for core subjects for students in grades K-12. We provide CTE classes, world language classes, and more to help public school learners receive a quality education. We also offer virtual tutoring to individual students or small groups to help learners who need online tutors to help with homework.

Proximity Learning offers all the tutoring services your district needs under a single roof. Our tutors are certified and experienced. We provide tutoring for all core subjects, for all grade levels. We offer tutoring for 504 and IEP students and provide virtual case management services to help you track these learners' progress. Furthermore, we communicate with public school teachers and district administrators so you can track learner progress.

Contact us to get quick answers to questions you may have about our services, or to start our step by step onboarding process. We look forward to helping you help your learners reach their full potential.

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