By Stephanie Yamkovenko, group manager of Khan Academy’s Digital Marketing Team.
As a parent, you always want the best for your child’s education. However, some kids may need more personalized assistance to catch up or keep up with their studies. That’s where online tutoring comes in. In recent years, online tutoring has become a popular option for parents to support their children’s learning. In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits of online tutoring for elementary, middle, and high school students and explore the different types of online tutoring available, including AI Tutoring!
What Makes Online Tutoring Different
Personalized Learning Experience
One of the primary benefits of online tutoring is the ability to provide a personalized learning experience. With online tutoring, your child can receive one-on-one attention from a tutor who can tailor their teaching to meet your child wherever they are on their learning journey. This individualized approach helps students better understand difficult concepts and fills any gaps in their education, which can be difficult in a traditional classroom setting.
Flexible Scheduling
Online tutoring is also more flexible than traditional tutoring. Tutors can work around your child’s schedule, which is especially helpful for students who are involved in sports, clubs, or other extracurricular activities. Additionally, online tutoring can be done from anywhere with an internet connection, making it easy to fit into your child’s routine. The flexibility of online tutoring can also be helpful for parents who work nontraditional hours, as they can schedule tutoring sessions at any time of the day or night.
Cost-Effective
Online tutoring is usually more cost-effective than traditional in-person tutoring. Many online tutoring services offer flexible payment options, such as pay-as-you-go plans or monthly subscriptions, which can help you create a tutoring plan that best fits your family’s budget. Additionally, if your child needs help in multiple subjects, online tutoring can save you money by providing a comprehensive solution to all their educational needs.
Different Types of Online Tutoring
Personalized learning platforms
Personalized learning platforms are educational technology tools that cater to individual needs and preferences.
If you’re interested in exploring a personalized learning platform for your child, we suggest exploring the courses on our main Khan Academy site!
Pros: These platforms often use algorithms and data analytics to deliver customized learning experiences, allowing learners to set their own pace, choose their topics of interest, and receive personalized feedback. With interactive features and adaptive content, personalized learning platforms empower learners to take control of their education, making the learning process engaging and effective.
Cons: If your child gets stuck on a skill or exercise, most of these platforms cannot provide tailored, instant help.
Video-based tutoring
Video-based tutoring is an innovative and effective way of providing educational support through the use of video technology.
If you’re interested in exploring video-based tutoring for your child, we suggest taking a look at a fellow nonprofit organization called Schoolhouse World, which offers free peer-to-peer tutoring.
Pros: With video-based tutoring, students can receive personalized instruction and guidance from experienced tutors, all from the comfort of their own home. This approach allows for flexible scheduling and eliminates geographical barriers, making it convenient for students of all ages and locations to access quality tutoring services. Whether it’s academic subjects, test preparation, or skill development, video-based tutoring offers a convenient and reliable solution for learners seeking educational support.
Cons: These platforms need a reliable high-speed internet connection.
Virtual classrooms
Virtual classrooms have emerged as a revolutionary approach to education, providing an online platform where students and teachers can connect and engage in real-time learning experiences.
Typically, virtual classrooms will be set up by teachers and their school. There are options for parents, homeschoolers, and tutors, but the feature sets will be limited as peer-to-peer interactions will be limited. If you’re interested in exploring a virtual classroom for your child, we suggest exploring Google’s Classroom, which is powered by educational content from Khan Academy.
Pros: Virtual classrooms offer a dynamic and immersive environment that replicates the traditional classroom setting. Students can participate in discussions, collaborate with peers, and access educational resources, all from the comfort of their own home. With the rise of virtual classrooms, the boundaries of education are expanding, making learning more accessible and flexible for students of all ages and backgrounds.
Cons: Some students have understandably experienced burnout from virtual classrooms when their schools were closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Families will need to have access to a reliable high-speed internet connection for these virtual classrooms to work. Virtual classrooms often work best on a laptop or desktop computer, so families who only have access to mobile devices might need to purchase or rent equipment.
AI-powered tutors
AI-Powered tutors such as Khanmigo, use advanced artificial intelligence technology to provide personalized and interactive learning experiences.
Pros: AI-powered tutors can offer personalized, intellectually stimulating lessons within a digital environment. Khanmigo is available around the clock for one-on-one tutoring and goes beyond rote learning to foster critical-thinking skills. With robust parental controls and a focus on ethical AI, you’ll have peace of mind while your child explores Khan Academy’s world-class content library and engages in enriching activities.
Cons: The technology is still new and, unlike Khanmigo, some AI-powered chatbots don’t have safety guardrails in place for children.
Try Khan Academy’s AI-Powered Tutor Today
What’s The Best Tutoring Option for You?
Online tutoring provides numerous benefits for K-12 students in the U.S. Its personalized learning experience, flexible scheduling, and cost-effectiveness make it an appealing option for parents who seek to support their child’s education.
With advancements in technology, online learning platforms like Khan Academy offer comprehensive tutoring solutions like Khanmigo that help students better comprehend concepts and achieve academic success. As a parent, you have the freedom to select the type of online tutoring that best suits your budget and your child’s unique learning needs.