| Demand for Tutoring Continues to Grow | | | | of Online Tutoring |
| Demand for academic tutoring continues to grow | | | | The popularity of online tutoring is growing |
| with education industry analyst firms such as | | | | because of its convenience, effectiveness and low |
| Eduventures estimating the market to be about | | | | cost relative to classroom or in-home tutoring: |
| $2.2 billion. Among the drivers of this demand | | | | 1. Convenience: There is no need to drive to any |
| include: underperformance by American school | | | | tutoring center because lessons can be taken |
| students in international academic skill tests | | | | from home anytime – right after school, late |
| (especially in English and Math); greater prevalence | | | | after dinner, or any time in between – |
| of standardized testing; and increasing admissions | | | | whatever is the most convenient for the student. |
| competitiveness to top colleges. These factors | | | | 2. Effectiveness: Research has shown that |
| are compelling parents to provide their children | | | | one-on-one teaching has a significant impact on |
| with an “extra edge” above and beyond | | | | academic achievement. Online tutoring firms such |
| what they receive from schools. Studies show | | | | as assign exclusive one-on-one teachers for each |
| that many successful students rely on tutoring | | | | student to maintain continuity and maximize the |
| services to prepare for tests, complete advanced | | | | impact of each lesson. |
| coursework, or reinforce topics learned at school. | | | | 3. Low Cost: As compared to in-home personal |
| At $50 to $300 per hour – depending on the | | | | tutoring lessons or classes at tutoring centers, |
| teacher, subject, and location – few parents | | | | online tutoring is typically far more affordable. |
| can afford personal in-home tutoring. | | | | Prices for one-on-one lessons range from $20 to |
| Consequently many parents sign their children up | | | | $40 an hour depending on the company, the |
| for a classroom-based tutoring program costing | | | | subject being taught, and the qualifications of the |
| $40 to $50 per hour. Unfortunately, with the | | | | teacher. |
| typical 1:3 teacher-student ratios in a tutoring | | | | 4. Safety & Security: Online tutoring is far by the |
| center, students don’t receive sufficient | | | | safest of all tutoring alternatives. Classes take |
| personal attention or a truly customized learning | | | | place in the comfort and safety of students’ |
| plan. | | | | homes. Additionally, parents can sit in on a lesson |
| Web Enables Convenient, On-Demand Help for | | | | to personally observe students’ progress and |
| Students | | | | tutors’ capabilities. |
| With the advent of the Internet and advanced | | | | Students can today choose from amongst a |
| communication technologies, a number of | | | | variety of online academic support services: |
| students and parents are turning to the Web for | | | | 1. One-on-One Interactive Online Tutoring: |
| help. The Internet today has a rich variety of | | | | Companies such as provide high-quality, personal |
| educational resources including worksheets, | | | | online tutoring to K-12 and college students, as |
| practice tests, topic explanations, and software | | | | well as adults in continuing education programs. A |
| animations. | | | | new student is assigned a dedicated personal |
| Online tutoring in particular has grown in popularity | | | | tutor who conducts a diagnostic test, assesses |
| over the last two years. The underlying software | | | | strengths and development areas, and builds a |
| for online tutoring is not only free but also | | | | personalized tutoring plan for the student. Tutoring |
| easy-to-use and reliable. During an online tutoring | | | | sessions are fully interactive with the teacher and |
| class, the teacher and student speak with each | | | | student speaking via computer-connected |
| other through computer headsets using free voice | | | | headsets and using a shared Internet whiteboard |
| communication software such as Skype. In place | | | | to exchange information. |
| of a shared notebook or whiteboard, the teacher | | | | 2. One-on-One Chat-Based Online Tutoring: Some |
| and student use a shared electronic whiteboard. In | | | | firms offer their students a shared whiteboard |
| effect, the teacher can “write” on the | | | | and communicate via a chat window. While this |
| student’s computer screen and talk at the | | | | eliminates the need for the student to purchase a |
| same time. Teachers use an electronic pen and | | | | headset, it also is comparatively less effective |
| tablet to make it easier for them to write in | | | | than online interactive tutoring. |
| freehand on their computer screens. As a result, | | | | 3. Instant Homework Help: A few firms provide |
| online tutoring lessons are highly interactive and | | | | instant help from a teacher on call. This works |
| promote learning. Leading online tutoring firms | | | | best for students who want a single session on a |
| such as provide high-quality, experienced teachers | | | | particular question or topic but do not need to |
| to help students in their academic progress. | | | | enroll in an ongoing tutoring program. |
| Convenience and Effectiveness Fuel Rapid Growth | | | | |