If your child is struggling with math, you might be wondering: Is online tutoring good for helping them catch up and feel more confident?
Many assume online tutoring requires doing a lot of extra work so the tutor can see the student’s writing.
In reality, it doesn’t work like that at all.
Online tutoring with me is much more interactive, focused, and personal than most people expect.
In this post, I’ll go over some of the most common questions I get about online tutoring and share what I’ve seen work, especially for students who are struggling. I’ve worked with many students online, and I’ll highlight how these sessions actually play out. You’ll see what makes them effective and what parents and students can expect.
For our online tutoring sessions, I use Google Meet for video meetings. It works just as well as Zoom, with features like screen sharing, multiple participants, and a noise-cancelling option.
This feature has been a lifesaver in more ways than one. Once, a student mentioned her mom was singing karaoke in the background, but thanks to noise cancelling, I couldn’t hear a thing. I also live near a fire hall, and while sirens are part of my daily life, my students never notice them during sessions.
I use an online whiteboard called Explain Everything where students and I can work on problems together. Students can download the iOS or Android app so they can take pictures of their work and put it on the whiteboard directly. This creates a collaborative experience, helping students feel like we’re solving problems side-by-side.
Wondering how students share their work online? They can snap a photo of their homework and upload it to our shared Explain Everything board so we can go over it together, step by step.
For students trying online tutoring for the first time, I recommend setting up a quiet workspace. Fortunately, with online tutoring, this doesn’t need to be a big dedicated room—a small, distraction-free area works perfectly.
During the free consultation, I guide families through how online tutoring works. We test out the video, sound, and the screenshare function on Google Meet. I also show students how to share their school materials with me. The key is to ensure your sound, video, and internet connection are working well before the session.
One common misconception about online tutoring is that it’s less engaging than in-person sessions. I can confidently say that engagement and relationship-building depend entirely on the tutor and the student—not the format. In fact, I’ve built strong, lasting connections with students I’ve only ever met online.
For example, I’ve been tutoring one student since she was in grade 8. Now, she’s in grade 12, and we’ve never met in person. Throughout the years, I’ve learned that she, like me, is really curious about the way different people around the world live. I’ve worked this interest into some of our math lessons, making the sessions more personal and meaningful. It even turned out we go down the same YouTube rabbit holes, and upon learning this, she told me, “we are twins!” How’s that for online interpersonal connection?
When it comes to success rates, there’s no difference between my online students and those I’ve taught in person. I’ve done both, and I’ve found that students respond just as well whether I’m sitting across from them or appearing on their screen.
In both settings, I use the same approach: I say the same words, watch for the same facial expressions to gauge understanding, and adjust my explanations accordingly. However, one advantage of online tutoring is the ability to instantly pull up visuals or resources from the internet. If a student needs extra information or clarification, everything I need is right there at my fingertips. This makes answering their questions faster and more efficient.
For each student, I create a tailored learning plan. Just like with in-person sessions, I take the time to understand their needs, strengths, and areas that need improvement.
I also figure out their preferred learning style. Are they a visual learner who needs diagrams and images? Do they prefer written instructions, or do they learn best by practicing a lot? Some students like to repeat concepts back to me to solidify their understanding, while others prefer to jump right into practice questions to apply their skills. Once I know this, I adjust my teaching approach to fit their unique style.
When it comes to providing extra homework or practice materials, online tutoring has a distinct advantage. It’s much easier to find and share extra practice worksheets online than in person, ensuring students always have the tools they need to succeed.
Here’s a peek into a real tutoring session. I quickly pulled up a Google image to explain a concept, used the Explain Everything board to walk through it visually, and even generated practice questions on the spot using ChatGPT, all in one smooth, interactive lesson.
Is online tutoring good for struggling students? The answer depends on how it’s done. With the right support, structure, and interactive tools, online tutoring can be just as effective (and often more convenient) than meeting in person.
In my sessions, students aren’t left to figure things out alone. There’s someone on the other end who’s tuned into what they need. I offer clear explanations, real-time feedback, and extra practice that’s tailored just for them.
If your child is having a hard time with math and you’re considering online tutoring, I invite you to reach out via my contact form. Let’s talk about whether this could be the right fit.
