The world is more digitally connected than ever, revolutionising numerous industries, including tutoring. With the possibility of learning from the comfort of your room, via digital tools such as Skype, Google Hangouts or FaceTime, traditional in-person tutoring is increasingly not the only option to learn.
As a relatively novel form of learning, we at Yoopies have been wondering if one form of tutoring is superior to the other. Quick answer: choosing between online or in-person tutoring depends on your needs. When considering the best way to learn, it’s crucial to weigh up both the benefits and drawbacks of both. By comparing both options, you’ll be able to work out which one optimises your learning experience, fits into your schedule and is in your budget. To help you decide, we’ve put together a list of the five most important factors when choosing a tutoring style:
1. What do you need tutoring for?
When choosing between in-person and online tutoring, you will need to think about your own strengths and learning needs – do you prefer hands-on style learning or are you happy to learn through visual and auditory techniques? Are you easily distracted when using a computer or do you feel more comfortable learning from home?
It is also crucial to think about the subject you want to learn. Topics such as maths or science are easily teachable online, whereas learning a new instrument or art may be slightly more challenging digitally.
2. When do you need it?
As Mark Twain famously said, ‘The secret of getting ahead is getting started.’ And who are we at Yoopies to argue? How soon do you want to get results? How much longer do you need to think about improving? Whether choosing online tutoring or in-person tutoring, the best time to start is … now!
In general, both in-person tutoring and tutoring online are flexible, as teachers make themselves available at times that suit their learners. All tutors understand that their students have busy, demanding schedules (after all – they are trying to get ahead by having the one on one tutoring!), so they often have a cancellation policy – it’s worth checking on this when booking. Online tutoring, however, offers slightly more flexibility by cutting out the need to commute. Online tutors could, in theory, do lessons at most times of the day which may suit people with kids or busy schedules.
3. Where do you need it?
Choosing online tutoring is the obvious option for people who want to be flexible about location. With online tutoring, you can study anywhere, at any time. If for example, if you are regularly traveling or are on holiday, the availability of online tutoring allows you to avoid skipping a session.
This is not to say in-person tutoring is not flexible, however, you will ultimately have to mutually decide on a location with your tutor, whether that be at your home, the tutor’s home or a coffee shop.
4. What is your budget?
Generally, in-person tutoring is more expensive than online tutoring, primarily due to the expense of commuting, time to travel and cost of materials such as books. If you plan to travel to your tutor, you will need to remember to factor in the cost of your commute into your budget.
5. Still stuck?
If you’re still struggling to decide on the right tutor, have a look at our advice page with more detail on your goals, options, and pricing!
Alternatively, if you’re good to go, try out our online service at Yoopies.co.uk. Simply enter your postcode and browse through hundreds of local tutors and online tutors according to your needs!