| Demand for Tutoring Continues to Grow | | | | because of its convenience, effectiveness and |
| | | | low cost relative to classroom or in-home |
| Demand for academic tutoring continues to | | | | tutoring: |
| grow with education industry analyst firms | | | | |
| such as Eduventures estimating the market to | | | | 1. Convenience: There is no need to drive to |
| be about $2.2 billion. Among the drivers of | | | | any tutoring center because lessons can be |
| this demand include: underperformance by | | | | taken from home anytime - right after school, |
| American school students in international | | | | late after dinner, or any time in between - |
| academic skill tests (especially in English | | | | whatever is the most convenient for the |
| and Math); greater prevalence of standardized | | | | student. |
| testing; and increasing admissions | | | | |
| competitiveness to top colleges. These | | | | 2. Effectiveness: Research has shown that |
| factors are compelling parents to provide | | | | one-on-one teaching has a significant impact |
| their children with an "extra edge" above and | | | | on academic achievement. Online tutoring |
| beyond what they receive from schools. | | | | firms such as assign exclusive one-on-one |
| Studies show that many successful students | | | | teachers for each student to maintain |
| rely on tutoring services to prepare for | | | | continuity and maximize the impact of each |
| tests, complete advanced coursework, or | | | | lesson. |
| reinforce topics learned at school. | | | | |
| | | | 3. Low Cost: As compared to in-home personal |
| At $50 to $300 per hour - depending on the | | | | tutoring lessons or classes at tutoring |
| teacher, subject, and location - few parents | | | | centers, online tutoring is typically far |
| can afford personal in-home tutoring. | | | | more affordable. Prices for one-on-one |
| Consequently many parents sign their children | | | | lessons range from $20 to $40 an hour |
| up for a classroom-based tutoring program | | | | depending on the company, the subject being |
| costing $40 to $50 per hour. Unfortunately, | | | | taught, and the qualifications of the |
| with the typical 1:3 teacher-student ratios | | | | teacher. |
| in a tutoring center, students don't receive | | | | |
| sufficient personal attention or a truly | | | | 4. Safety & Security: Online tutoring is far |
| customized learning plan. | | | | by the safest of all tutoring alternatives. |
| | | | Classes take place in the comfort and safety |
| Web Enables Convenient, On-Demand Help for | | | | of students' homes. Additionally, parents can |
| Students | | | | sit in on a lesson to personally observe |
| | | | students' progress and tutors' capabilities. |
| With the advent of the Internet and advanced | | | | |
| communication technologies, a number of | | | | Students can today choose from amongst a |
| students and parents are turning to the Web | | | | variety of online academic support services: |
| for help. The Internet today has a rich | | | | |
| variety of educational resources including | | | | 1. One-on-One Interactive Online Tutoring: |
| worksheets, practice tests, topic | | | | Companies such as provide high-quality, |
| explanations, and software animations. | | | | personal online tutoring to K-12 and college |
| | | | students, as well as adults in continuing |
| Online tutoring in particular has grown in | | | | education programs. A new student is assigned |
| popularity over the last two years. The | | | | a dedicated personal tutor who conducts a |
| underlying software for online tutoring is | | | | diagnostic test, assesses strengths and |
| not only free but also easy-to-use and | | | | development areas, and builds a personalized |
| reliable. During an online tutoring class, | | | | tutoring plan for the student. Tutoring |
| the teacher and student speak with each other | | | | sessions are fully interactive with the |
| through computer headsets using free voice | | | | teacher and student speaking via |
| communication software such as Skype. In | | | | computer-connected headsets and using a |
| place of a shared notebook or whiteboard, the | | | | shared Internet whiteboard to exchange |
| teacher and student use a shared electronic | | | | information. |
| whiteboard. In effect, the teacher can | | | | |
| "write" on the student's computer screen and | | | | 2. One-on-One Chat-Based Online Tutoring: |
| talk at the same time. Teachers use an | | | | Some firms offer their students a shared |
| electronic pen and tablet to make it easier | | | | whiteboard and communicate via a chat window. |
| for them to write in freehand on their | | | | While this eliminates the need for the |
| computer screens. As a result, online | | | | student to purchase a headset, it also is |
| tutoring lessons are highly interactive and | | | | comparatively less effective than online |
| promote learning. Leading online tutoring | | | | interactive tutoring. |
| firms such as provide high-quality, | | | | |
| experienced teachers to help students in | | | | 3. Instant Homework Help: A few firms provide |
| their academic progress. | | | | instant help from a teacher on call. This |
| | | | works best for students who want a single |
| Convenience and Effectiveness Fuel Rapid | | | | session on a particular question or topic but |
| Growth of Online Tutoring | | | | do not need to enroll in an ongoing tutoring |
| | | | program. |
| The popularity of online tutoring is growing | | | | |