It can seem like online tutoring lessons and online classes are indistinguishable, but they have a lot of key differences and some key similarities. For the most part, covering the same material will mean that they have similarities. The main differences encompass the size of the class, the speed at which topics are covered and learning styles. While similarities include sharing end goals and sharing a type of media (the Internet) for the explanation and teaching of concepts.
Here, we’ve put together a quick list of the main differences, and a few similarities, between the two:
Tutoring
- One-on-one (generally)
- Though small groups can also be advantageous (imagine a type of study group where the tutor guides the discussion instead of just answering questions)
- Can focus on your specific difficulties
- While in some cases, this is also possible in an online classroom setting, this is the main focus of tutoring.
- No time lost on covering topics that the student already understands
- Flexible scheduling
- Can be tailored to the individual student’s learning style
- Some teachers’ teaching styles do not work for their students. It is important to mention that this is no one’s fault. It just is.
Class:
- Have a lot of other students
- Depending on the school, but can have as many as 25 other students in the class.
- All problems associated with other students
- technical difficulties of other students
- Some students did not hear, so the teacher must repeat that section
- Some students did not understand (again, teacher must repeat)
- Background noise
- Other backgrounds are distracting
- Can cover less material
- Since there are more students, it is normal that the teacher can cover less material
- Are at specific times (no flexibility in scheduling)
DID YOU KNOW?
Tutoring can be an excellent way to cement the knowledge you or your child has gained in class. Working with a qualified tutor can help comprehension and understanding.
DID YOU KNOW?
Tutoring can be an excellent way to cement the knowledge you or your child has gained in class. Working with a qualified tutor can help comprehension and understanding.
Similarities:
- Focus on helping the student learn the necessary material
- Can be a safe space for the student to ask what they do not understand
- Both are online, which can be a help or a hindrance (so, if the student has trouble with online learning, this might not be the best way of teaching)
When it comes right down to it, both online classes and online tutoring seek the same outcomes (helping the student learn and understand the material being presented to them), but they have different methods for arriving at the desired outcomes. Online classes are a great introduction to a topic, but some students need more help with internalizing the knowledge (There is nothing wrong with asking for help. Everyone needs help at some point.) While tutoring is a more directed, student-specific way of achieving the desired outcomes.
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