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    Lessons Learned from a Decade of Online Tutoring

    Upswing began as an online tutoring company in 2013 (we can’t believe it’s already been a decade!), and while we’ve expanded to provide wraparound services to colleges and universities across the nation, tutoring remains one of our most popular solutions. We’ve gained invaluable insights that have allowed us to continually improve our services over the past decade. Keep reading to learn more about the lessons that we’ve learned so far.

    Lesson #1 Benefits of Online Tutoring

    Online tutoring has several benefits compared to traditional in-person tutoring. Here some of the most significant advantages we’ve found:

    Provides a safe space and reduces peer stigma

    With traditional in-person tutoring, students may feel uncomfortable asking questions or making mistakes in front of their peers. With online tutoring, there is no need to worry about peer pressure or feeling embarrassed. Students can learn and ask questions in a judgment-free environment which ultimately makes them feel more comfortable seeking help when they need it.

    Accessibility

    Online tutoring is incredibly accessible. Since it can be done from anywhere with an internet connection, students don’t have to worry about travel or transportation. This can be especially beneficial for students who have limited transportation options. It also means that students with disabilities or health issues can receive academic support without having to leave their homes.

    Flexibility and convenience

    Online tutoring is incredibly accessible. Since it can be done from anywhere with an internet connection, students don’t have to worry about travel or transportation. This can be especially beneficial for students who have limited transportation options. It also means that students with disabilities or health issues can receive academic support without having to leave their homes.

    Personalized learning

    Online tutoring can be personalized to meet the individual needs of each student. Tutors can adapt their teaching methods to the learning style of each student and can provide one-one-one attention. This personalized approach allows students to focus on the areas where they need the most help and to progress at their own pace.

    Improved access to expertise

    Online tutoring gives students access to a much wider range of tutors. This means they can find a tutor who specializes in the subject they need help with, and who matches their learning style and personality. With tutors from around the world, there is always an Upswing tutor available to help every student.

    Lesson #2 Creating Trust Increases Engagement

    Trust is the foundation of all relationships, including the relationship between a student and a tutor. The student must feel that they can rely on the tutor to help them achieve their academic goals, and the tutor must show the student that they are committed to their success. By establishing a sense of trust, the student is more likely to engage in the tutoring process and take an active role in their own learning. Trust also allows the tutor to provide constructive feedback and guidance without causing the student to become defensive or disengaged.

    Through our years of experience in online tutoring, we’ve discovered two crucial factors that help foster a sense of trust between students and tutors.

    1. Hiring the “right” online tutors

    At Upswing, we understand that finding the right online tutor is key to building trust and providing effective academic support. We take a thorough approach to our hiring process, evaluating candidates based on their educational background, teaching experience, and technical skills.

    To ensure they are comfortable in an online learning environment, we also invite them to participate in a virtual interview where we access their virtual presence and ensure they are tech-savvy. Beyond these qualifications, we also prioritize subject matter expertise, typically seeking candidates with a master’s degree or higher. Additionally, we recognize the importance of diversity and strive to recruit and hire tutors that reflect the diverse backgrounds of the students we serve.

    We also want to make sure that tutors have shared experiences with their students. Nearly 30% of Upswing tutors are first-generation college students. Almost 40% of Upswing tutors attended community college.

    By selecting the right tutors, we are able to establish a strong foundation of trust and provide high-quality online tutoring services to our students.

    2. Invest in the right tools

    The goal of online tutoring is to decrease the barriers to receiving academic support. To achieve this, it’s important to invest in the right tools to make your online tutoring program accessible anytime, anywhere.

    Within the Upswing platform, we provide:

    Lesson #3 Streamline Tutoring to Work Together

    Here’s the bottom line—tutoring is most effective when it’s delivered to the student when and where they need it by tutors who care and reflect the students they serve. This can be either online or in-person. What’s most important is that you offer flexibility for both students and tutors, and provide a seamless learning experience for students, tutors, and administrators alike.

    The Upswing platform allows students to:

    Schools that use Upswing enjoy the ability to keep everything in one place and integrate their campus tutors to work online or in-person with their students. One of the greatest benefits of having everyone on the same platform for scheduling and conducting sessions is that you, as the admin, have an overview of what’s happening within your tutoring program. You can see things such as the total number of tutoring hours and whether those students are in-person or online. You can see information on abandoned sessions, feedback from students, and much more.

    The major takeaway is that streamlining your tutoring services can make your work a lot easier so you can evaluate program effectiveness, determine hiring and staffing needs, and really commit to providing an accessible and successful tutoring program.

    Want to hear more about online tutoring from Upswing’s experts? Check out our webinar covering this very topic.

    To learn more about how Upswing can help you streamline your tutoring services and increase engagement among today’s students, schedule a demo!

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