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Writer's pictureKarla Kramer

Virtual Tutoring - is it a viable option?

Updated: Feb 19


Girl Tutoring Virtually on Computer
Virtual Tutoring the Pros and Cons

The pandemic brought many challenges to our world. In education, we were particularly challenged as many teachers did not have experience with virtual instruction. Not only did we not have experience providing meaningful and engaging lessons, but the hardware required was intimidating at best. Children were confused and discombobulated with this new world of change, quarantines, isolation and fear.


Parents, students and teachers...we all came away with "virtual learning PTSD!"


Now, a few years later, the idea of virtual meetings has become the norm, and the hardware, software and apps have been developed and perfected. We are now seeing that, without the pressures mentioned above, that this aspect of the digital world is really quite enticing.


My in-person students have a list of essential equipment and supplies that they can have available at home, as sometimes staying home because you are not feeling good or because there is 2 feet of snow outside is a reality!


There are definitely benefits of meeting in person. Being in the presence of another human being is engaging, and, for some students, it is essential. However, we cannot overlook the benefits that virtual tutoring can afford us in this digitally connected world:


  1. Time Efficiency - Virtual Tutoring cuts out any commute time for both the parents and the teacher. A student can tune-in from the comfort of home.

  2. Fuel Savings - we all know that the price of gas has risen in the past few years. Not only does fuel use bite the pocketbook, but eliminating excessive fuel usage can preserve our environment as well!

  3. Less Stress - Oy Vey! Now who is NOT trying to cut out as much stress as possible in this life! Traffic can just be a total bear! Depending on where your tutoring session is located, this could be a HUGE factor. It can be a challenge to get just 10 blocks during rush hour.

  4. Monitoring the Tutoring Session - I think that as a paying parent that it is a benefit to be able to occasionally monitor the sessions. My goal is to get your child to a place where they can be completely independent while working with me, however, it might be of interest to witness the teaching and learning that goes on during a session.

  5. Health - germs cannot hop through the screen! Perhaps we can stay a little healthier by staying home.


My virtual sessions are rich and full of action and enthusiastic teaching. I use some digital components, but I also employ some manual, hands-on and real time components that keep kids connected and engaged. I can send via email anything that needs to be printed for the student's use. There are a few supplies, such as a small white board and a set of dry erase markers that are essential to have on hand. There is a digital tile board that works with Zoom and allows the both of us to access moving tiles and spelling words at the same time for a multi-sensory experience.


My experience is that virtual students are doing very well from afar, so I believe that distanced learning is definitely a viable option for the busy family that needs tutoring to become a better reader, speller and a lover of learning in general!


Please visit my website for more information: www.skywordtutoring.com

I am located in lovely Portland Oregon (Pacific Standard Time) and available for virtual tutoring services anywhere the internet allows!


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