Online tutors are a convenient way for students to get extra help.
In today’s world of standards and state testing more and more students are turning to tutors for help. Years ago that would have meant hoping that a teacher had an evening available and then driving to meet at the library. With the advent of the internet those days may soon be gone. Now many students are simply logging on to tutoring websites, at their convenience, to get one-on-one help from a qualified tutor.
Two of the most widely used online tutoring websites are Tutor.com and TutorVista. Students communicate one-on-one with the tutors using instant messaging technology and an interactive whiteboard. Students can get help with homework, projects, essays and more. Use the overview below to see if either of these websites is right for you.
Tutor.com
- Tutors are teachers, professors, and graduate and undergraduate students.
- Tutoring is available 7 days a week from 2 pm to 1 am.
- Tutoring subjects include Elementary Math, Algebra I and II, Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus, Elementary Science, Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Elementary English, Essays, Grammar, American History, World History, and Political Science.
- Fees are $35 for 60 minutes and $99 for 180 minutes or $32.50 per month for 60 minutes each month and $89 per month for 180 minutes each month.
- Offered at 1500 library and after school sites for free use by students.
- Sessions are saved online to access later.
TutorVista
- Tutors have a graduate degree or a bachelor’s degree and an additional degree in education.
- Tutoring is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Tutoring subjects include English, Math, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Science, Study Skills, Statistics, Business Studies, Accounting, Economics, Electronics, Geography, History and Humanities.
- Standardized test preparation is also offered for over 20 tests including the SAT, GRE and AP exams.
- Fees are $20 for one hour or unlimited use for $100 per month.
- With the monthly plan there are worksheets, lessons, practice tests, question banks for extra practice in addition to one-on-one tutoring.
Online tutoring can be very beneficial supplement for students. It is useful for busy students who appreciate the flexibility of the scheduling, for successful students who only need sporadic help, and for students who prefer one-on-one assistance instead of the group instruction that is found at many tutoring centers. Rural students who have difficulty finding tutors are also able to get the help they need without driving long distances. Online tutoring offers the ability for students to obtain assistance in the moment they are having trouble instead of waiting until the next day in class or for the next tutoring session, cutting down on confusion for students.
