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