With schools across the UK and Ireland officially closed until further notice, parents and teachers are racing to find home-schooling solutions. Many schools are moving lessons to YouTube, Google Hangouts, Zoom and even Twitch. Dedicated, virtual tutoring has been proven effective for both students and teachers. Here’s how it works, and how it can be rolled out quickly to support students in a time of crisis.
The Logistics Of Virtual Tutoring
Online tutoring has historically been considered an inferior alternative to face to face tutoring, but this is an undeserved reputation. Both online and in-person, a tutor can tailor their teaching to the student’s needs and interests in real-time and give the student their full attention for the duration of the session. Where online tutoring has the advantage is in the countless additional features which teachers can use to create a more immersive learning experience.
Services specifically designed for online tutoring can integrate interactive quizzes, questions, exercises, and all manner of other content for a richer learning experience. Both teachers and students can access online content, annotate it, and share their screens as necessary. At TLC LIVE, to protect both the child and teacher, we don’t use a webcam. This does not have a detrimental effect on learning, but in fact, helps students concentrate on the screen rather than the tutor. Teachers moving online for the first time can, of course, still use existing digital teaching materials, such as PowerPoints, and virtual tutoring services make it straightforward to digitise existing materials.
Before the present outbreak, virtual one-to-one tutoring was most commonly – and successfully – used for looked after children. This use continues as it enables them to maintain one relationship with a tutor even if they are relocated from home to home which can often be the case. It provides children with a sense of consistency and stability, and ensures that they are getting the high-quality education they deserve.
Succeeding Remotely
To teach effectively from a distance, teachers must ensure that they fully understand the capabilities and features available on the platform they choose. These virtual spaces are created for a broad range of needs but can easily be customised to fit different subject matters and teaching styles. At TLC LIVE, we provide our own content, which makes it simple to move to different topics quickly and easily because we find that it is essential for the lesson to maintain momentum.
A significant benefit to online teaching is that it can be far more time efficient. Whereas in class, students might take 30 seconds to find a chapter in a book, online they can jump to the relevant passage at the click of a button, if the provider has their own content. Teachers moving online should, therefore, plan to cover slightly more than they might in the classroom. Considering platforms with smart assessments also enables teachers to identity any skills gaps, while helping them to monitor and measure progress.
It is also critical that both teachers and students find a practical workspace for the lesson, away from distractions and other members of the household. This can be the difference that makes a session as useful as a standard lesson – and in some cases, even more effective. Although the student is learning online, they may still need a pen, paper, and calculator for certain lessons.
Teaching From Home
Teachers will need to think creatively to get the most out of online teaching, but with a little effort classroom plans can be adapted, streamlined, and exercises and tools created. Beyond that, teachers can use familiar skills to get the most from a lesson: rewards systems, feedback, and adapting the lesson plan on the fly. Ultimately, online learning offers exciting opportunities for varied and dynamic learning, making it not only an excellent alternative during this crisis but a promising avenue for the future of education.
About The Author
Simon Barnes, CEO, TLC LIVE