A couple of years ago, the idea of virtual classrooms was regarded as an alternate choice for most households. Today, this option has turned into their first preference. The child sits at the dining table, a teacher appears on the screen, and the class starts. No traffic, no waiting lounge, no rushing to attend the class post-dinner at 5 p.m.

 

But certain concerns cannot be ignored. Is it really effective? How much screen time is too much? Also, considering the number of different sites offering online classes, how would you know which one is better?

 

Here's what the parents and students must take into account.

 

Why families opted for online schooling

One factor that cannot be ignored is convenience. No commuting implies some additional time in a week, and this time will be used by kids in studying, playing, and sleeping, which they need.

 

The second and most important advantage of online learning is the ability to choose from a wide range. Let us say that there are two good math tutors in your neighborhood. But with online learning, you have thousands of options to choose from.

 

It is also interesting to note that all these lessons are recorded, which means that the kid can go through the same lesson again the next Sunday morning if he did not understand anything in the first lesson.

 

How exactly does it work

When it comes to online tutoring for kids, it becomes effective only when it is actually an interactive one. If your kid listens for 45 minutes to someone who speaks, that's a video lecture, but not a lesson. Choose a tutor who will make your kid answer some questions, who will allow him/her to control the whiteboard and solve tasks while being observed.

 

It would be better to have two lessons per week at the same hours than five lessons, which are always postponed.

 

Besides, it matters how old your kid is: the younger ones should have 30- 40-minute lessons, while the older ones – one-hour lessons.

 

Selecting a tutor on the Internet

And this is the point where parents usually become hesitant. Here is a list of several tips that should be considered:

 

Attend a trial class; do not rely on the profile

Every online tutoring platform offers a free trial lesson. Sit next to your child and check whether they are talking or confused, yet bold enough to ask for help. It is the boldness that matters most.

 

Ask about the tutor, not about the company

The best online tutoring websites will inform you of who tutors your child, what credentials they possess, and how much experience the tutor has. The lack of information here says everything.

 

Test the technology, not the curriculum

Lack of connectivity and inability of the tutor to use a shared screen effectively can consume far too much time for any learning technique to make up for.

 

Find someone who clicks with you

The shy kid may be intimidated by an intimidating tutor and excel in the hands of a soft-spoken one. Professionalism is just one side of the coin.

 

When selecting among many options, please consider that the best online tutoring site will probably not be the one with the most advertisements. Small sites offer better reliability and retain the tutor for longer periods.

 

Group classes or individual classes?

Group classes are cheaper, and some children enjoy socializing. However, if the child has fallen behind in his/her studies or moved way too fast and is bored, then he/she would require individual tutoring classes. Here, the class would suit the needs of the child, not the other way around.

 

Especially younger children can greatly benefit from individualized attention. The right online tutor for kids should ideally be an attentive teacher.

 

What parents can do

It is not necessary to go to all classes. But try to show interest in what your child is doing and talk about his classes with him, find out what he learned today, check his notebook, and meet with the teacher once a month.

 

The workplace should be convenient and boring - just a table, a chair, adequate lighting, and no mobile phone.

 

Be reasonable

Online studying does not work by magic. The tutor can help you comprehend everything better, but you still have to master the information yourself. You get the results in six to eight weeks, not in six days.

 

If everything is done properly – there is a good tutor, an appropriate schedule, and enough parents' participation - then the online education will not be an agreement between you and your child. It will simply be the way of studying for him.