What You Need to Know About Online Tutoring Sessions

Many of you are familiar with some form of online learning. But if you’re new to online tutoring, and working with me, this blog aims to give you a bit more of an insight into how sessions work, the technology I use, and how a tutor will make your workload easier. So if you’re wondering what my online maths and physics tutoring sessions are like, here’s what you need to know.

Do I need to learn tech to benefit most from online tutoring?

No. As long as you have a good internet connection, a quiet space to concentrate, and access to a keyboard and screen, we can make it work. I’d recommend a paper and pen and a calculator too for each lesson. If you’re a tech wizard, you may prefer doing things more digitally.

What video conferencing tools and apps do you use?

I use Google Meet or Zoom and I’m open to others if you have a preference. Google Meet is free, but Zoom is only free for 40 minutes. Lessons are 1 hour, so use Google Meet if you don’t already have an upgraded Zoom account. I keep things simple and make use of free downloadable tools and free resources too, so you won’t need to pay extra.

Do I need my own digital whiteboard?

No, you don’t need a digital whiteboard for my online lessons. Google Meet has a virtual digital whiteboard which I can share with you so we can do our workings out together. I also have my own digital whiteboard too. You can use a programme like Microsoft Word or Google Docs to create and write out equations. And good old-fashioned paper and pen works too, if that’s what you prefer.

Are the lessons live and one-on-one or shared and downloadable?

All lessons are one-on-one personal online sessions conducted live. Sessions last 1 hour and I tailor them specifically to address the areas you need (or want) to focus on. That way, it’s not like any online lessons you had during lockdown. Instead, we work together and you can be sure to get the maximum benefit from each session. I may upload some videos onto my website in the future when common questions occur and I think it may be useful though. Watch this space!

What happens after an online lesson?

I will email you any shared notes you don’t have and also give you some questions to answer or tasks to have a go at in time for your next session. This might be questions or tasks set by me, or a link to a free online resource for you to check out. But don’t treat this as homework to be tested on. The idea is you have a go at ones you can do, and even those you can’t. You can leave ones you don’t understand or struggle with. We will always go through the extra work at the start of your next lesson.

I’m worried tutoring is going to put extra stress on me. Will it just be more work?

Before you start with a tutor, this may be your concern. GCSE and A Levels come with a hefty workload, and the last thing I plan to do is add to that and leave you feeling overwhelmed. But even one session with the right tutor is a big weight lifted. Suddenly, you’ve got someone who is there to listen, work out what you’re struggling with, and help you get those ‘click’ moments when suddenly you understand what you’re being asked to do. You take that understanding and increased confidence into your lessons too. You can also bring me school homework questions and we can work them out together. No more struggling alone.

I’m not sure my technology will work!

I offer FREE 30-minute taster sessions, which is the ideal opportunity to check we can get online for a face-to-face mini-session and work out the best tech to use, along with finding out the areas you’d like support in and whether you think I’d be the right fit for what you need.

If you’d like to book your free taster session now, just fill out the form on my website, email me or give me a call. Let’s get you exam-ready and bursting with maths and physics confidence!

Email me at: ethan.tutor.mountjoy@gmail.com

Tel: T: 07948 512 661