According to the National Center for Education Statistics, as many as 60% of children do not make AYP or Adequate Year Progress. This means that there are many parents seeking out math help through private or online math tutors.
If your child is one of the millions falling behind in math, it may be time to think about hiring a math tutor. Confronted with the options of both private and online math tutors, you may be wondering…
Which is the best option for my child?
After all, don’t you want to invest in the option that is going to deliver the best learning outcomes for your child?
Tutoring is a multimillion-dollar industry, and as such, it can be confusing to know which method is right for your child.
We’re diving into the pros and cons of hiring a private tutor vs an online math tutoring service to help you make the best decision for your child’s learning style and needs.
Pros of Using a Private Math Tutor
One of the pros of hiring a private math tutor over an online tutor is that your student will get face-to-face interaction and math help. A private tutor can help your child either in your home or at a local library or tutoring center. He or she will be able to sit with your child and watch him or her attempt to solve problems.
Through this, he or she can help diagnose what exactly it is your child is having trouble with and provide math homework help. This goal is to help your child with math topics so that they see success in math class.
A private tutor can usually work around your schedule. If you have a few evenings a week free, he or she can typically schedule your child for a tutoring session. This means you don’t have to go out of your way to necessarily cater to the tutor.
With a private tutor, you can also work with them to discuss what your child should be learning and what he or she is having issues with. In some corporate settings, such as tutoring centers, there may be a set curriculum. A private tutor can work with you to devise a plan or provide math worksheets specific to the math topics your child needs help with.
Cons of a Private Math Tutor
While there are many pros to having a private math tutor, there are also cons that you should be aware of.
Firstly, a private math tutor may require that you purchase extra books or items. He or she may be able to work off of your child’s textbook, but there is no guarantee. This could add up to extra costs.
A private math tutor is typically hired for a set amount of time. This is because your child needs consistency and they will be counting on a paycheck. This could mean that your student receives tutoring for longer than necessary.
Let’s say, for example, your child had trouble with a math topic and you hired a tutor for six weeks. Your child then masters this topic in only three weeks, but you could be stuck paying for the remaining weeks.
It also could be that your child’s school or PTA shares a list of potential mathematics tutors in your area.
Or, maybe you do a quick Google search for “math tutor near me”.
But, how much do you know about this tutor? Are they an expert tutor that is highly qualified in mathematics?
Private math tutors are not necessarily trained to work with children, which is also a consideration. You could hire a private tutor that studies math at the local college. While he or she may be good at the subject and explaining it, it doesn’t mean he or she can also cope with trying to keep your child focused on the entirety of the lesson.
Pros of an Online Math Tutor
You may have seen online math tutoring services pop up in recent years and wonder how they could take the place of a private tutor. While some parents don’t yet fully trust them, others have found them to be a great way to boost their child’s classroom skills.
Online math tutoring can be offered as ongoing one-on-one help, or you can have your child use it as needed. If your child doesn’t have overall issues with math but is having trouble with a particular concept, this is a great way to go.
Online math tutors are also often more qualified than those you would have one-on-one. This is because the company that hires the math tutors always vets their employees first.
Your child can also participate in organized lessons depending on his or her math skill level. You won’t need to purchase extra items for this, meaning you’re not as out of pocket.
Children who have social anxiety or are nervous around new people may find online tutoring a suitable alternative. This is because the entire session can take place in their own home and they do not have to necessarily speak to someone else. Instead, they can draw their work or simply provide the answers.
Cons of an Online Math Tutor
A con of online math tutoring is that it may be difficult for your child to focus. This depends on your child, but some may have trouble focusing on a single task at once or are easily distracted.
However, you can remedy this by ensuring your child wears headphones when working. You can also sit by your child or employ programs that will only let your child access certain sites during the lesson.
Children who prefer face-to-face interaction may also find online learning a bit more awkward. But many children do adapt to it as time goes on, and find that online tutoring might even be preferable!
Which is Right for My Child?
The question of whether a private math tutor or online math tutor is right for your child is up to you. You know your child best and how easy or difficult it is for him or her to focus when working with a math teacher.
Tutoring can provide a leg up for your child, but it can also provide new advantages and pitfalls that you need to be aware of.
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