Nowadays, you can do more and more online, from your weekly food shop to your work meetings – and even your child’s tutoring!

But is online tutoring really an effective alternative to in-person? Here, we’ll explore all you need to know about online tutoring vs in-person tutoring, and which is better.

Online vs in-person tutoring: what’s the difference?

Both in-person and online tutoring come with many benefits – from boosting your child’s confidence to improving their grades or even learning a new skill.

They both involve one-on-one attention from a skilled professional who can create tailored lesson plans for your child and help them reach their full potential.

However, while in-person tutoring involves meeting your tutor face-to-face, online tutoring involves connecting with your tutor using a laptop, tablet or mobile phone.

If you choose in-person tuition, lessons can take place wherever you and your tutor agree. Often, this will be at your home or your tutor’s home. But sometimes it can also be convenient for you to meet in a public place – like a library or coffee shop.

On the other hand, at Tutorful, all online lessons take place in our online classroom. This is a specially designed platform that connects your child to their tutor via video call while providing access to tools that can enhance your child’s learning.

Online tutoring pros and cons

Both in-person and online tuition have their pros and cons. 

However, most Tutorful families are now embracing the benefits of online tutoring, which often fits in better with busy family life. Here’s why.

Pros

Flexible

Online tutoring is made for busy schedules. 

There’ll be no need to wait in the car for your child to complete a session – or to battle through rush hour traffic. Instead, you can fit your child’s learning in around busy family life.

Cost-effective

Online tutoring is almost always cheaper than in-person tuition. 

After all, your tutor won’t have to budget for expenses like transport, classroom rental or electricity. Learn more in our guide to how much a tutor costs.

Online tools

At Tutorful, we’ve built a state-of-the-art online classroom.

That means your child will have access to more tools to help them learn. They’ll even be able to rewatch sessions whenever they want, which can be priceless when it comes to revision!

Comfort

With online tutoring, your child can learn in the comfort of their own home.

They’ll be sure to thrive in an environment where they can fully relax and focus on the topic at hand. In fact, it can be particularly valuable for those who suffer from social anxiety.

Choice

Want to find a tutor your child truly clicks with?

Instead of being limited to the tutors who live nearby, online tutoring means you can choose from a much wider pool.

Efficient

With in-person tutoring, a portion of the session will invariably be spent taking off coats, unpacking stationary and shuffling seats around. Plus, there’s always the chance that the previous session has overrun.

On the other hand, it’s much easier to jump straight into learning when your child joins an online tutoring session – meaning you can accomplish more in the allotted time.

Safe

At Tutorful, all our tutors are handpicked, vetted and have DBS checks – whether they tutor online or in-person. However, online tuition gives you extra peace of mind. 

Your child won’t be in the same room as their tutor, automatically removing many parents’ concerns. Plus, all online lessons are recorded, meaning that if you or your child ever has any concerns following a lesson, it can be safely reviewed.

Learn anywhere

Got holidays in the diary, or trips to grandparents planned? One of the beauties of online tuition is that your child can learn from anywhere. 

All they need is a laptop, tablet or smartphone and they can log into their lesson like usual. So, you can crack on with your plans without worrying about interrupting your child’s learning. 

Cons

Reliant on technology

One of the only downsides of online tutoring is that you’ll be relying on technology. 

This means that on the rare occasion there’s a network, software or hardware issue, it can impact the productivity of your child’s lesson.

Demonstrations

Sometimes, it can be easier for a tutor to demonstrate something to a student in-person – for instance, if they’re teaching a musical instrument.

However, there’s always a way around this!

In-person tutoring pros and cons

Pros

Social interaction

School-age children are at a critical point in developing social skills. 

Interacting with a tutor in-person can help to support your child’s development in this area. After all, your child will more easily be able to read their tutor’s body language and differentiate between different tones of voice.

Suits some types of learners

While online tuition has been proven to work, every student is different. If your child is a kinesthetic or tactile learner, they might find it easier to learn in-person.

Similarly, in some subjects, younger learners in particular can benefit from in-person demonstrations.

No technological issues

If you opt for in-person tutoring, your child won’t need anything other than themselves (and maybe a pen and notepad!).

In this way, you won’t be at the whim of your internet speed, or technological issues which can interfere with the productivity of your child’s session.

Cons

Less convenient 

In-person tutoring often requires you to sit in the car to wait for your child’s lesson to finish (potentially with any siblings in tow) – or to accommodate an extra person in a hectic household that’s already full.

In contrast, online tuition will ensure that your child’s learning fits flexibly around your family’s busy activities schedule.

Reliant on transport

Although in-person tuition isn’t reliant on technology, it is reliant on transport.

Rush-hour traffic, late buses and cancelled trains could all cut your child’s lesson short.

Costs more

In-person tutoring costs more on average than online tutoring.

Not only will your tutor need to budget for expenses like transport or electricity, but you’ll also be limited to the tutors who live near you, and their prices.

Restrictive

In-person tutoring is yet another commitment that can get in the way of spontaneous plans.

That’s not to say that you can’t skip a few sessions to go on holiday. But you will need to give a bit of notice. On the other hand, online tuition can be done anywhere – just take your laptop with you!

Fewer tutors

In some rural areas, there’s little to no access to tutors. So, it can be hard to find a nearby tutor who fits your criteria and truly clicks with your child.

On the other hand, if you opt for online tuition, you’ll be able to choose the perfect tutor for your child, wherever they’re based.

Online vs in-person tuition: which is better for my child?

Now you know the pros and cons. But it’s important to remember that no two children are the same.

So, how do you know whether in-person tutoring or online tutoring will be better for your child?

Well, there isn’t an exact science. But here are some questions that will help.

• How important is convenience to you?
• What’s your budget?
• What’s your child’s learning style?
• Where would your child feel most comfortable?
• How easy is it to find a tutor in your area?
• Would you feel safer if your child and tutor were in different spaces?
• How fast is your internet connection?
• Do you want the freedom to go away without cancelling lessons?

Hopefully, these questions will help you choose the route that’s best suited for you and your family.

But don’t worry if you need some time to decide.

We always recommend scheduling a free video chat with any tutors you’re considering, so you can ask questions and get a feel for whether they’re the right tutor for your child.

Plus, we offer a First Lesson Guarantee. So, if you’re worried your tutor isn’t the right fit after your child’s first lesson, we’ll happily pay for your first lesson with a new tutor.

So, is in-person tutoring better than online tutoring?

As you can see, both in-person and online tutoring come with pros and cons.

However, more and more families are now turning to online tuition, and we can see why.

It’s just as effective as learning in-person – if not more so. And it’s much more convenient for busy households who need to fit learning in around hectic family life.

Simply find a tutor today to give it a try.

FAQs

Is face-to-face tutoring better than online?

No. Face-to-face tutoring and online tutoring both have their pros and cons. But online tutoring has proven to be just as effective as in-person, while offering families more convenience and flexibility.

Is online tutoring better?

That depends on your child and your priorities. However, online tutoring does trump in-person tutoring in several areas. Here are just a few benefits:

• More cost-effective
• No need to travel
• More tutors to choose from
• Online tools to support your child’s learning

Does online tutoring help?

Yes! Online tutoring has been proven to deliver successful outcomes for students.

At Tutorful, most of our families now opt for online tutoring and 90% of our students improve by at least one grade.

Is private tutoring worth it?

Yes, private tutoring is worth it if you think your child needs a little extra support to reach their full potential.

Finding a private tutor for your child comes with tons of benefits, such as boosting their confidence, improving their grades, and giving them the one-on-one attention they deserve.

Is it better to learn online or in a classroom?

That depends on the child and their learning style. 

However, most children already learn in a classroom setting at school. Supplementing this with online tuition can be beneficial as your child will be able to learn in an environment where they feel completely comfortable.