If negative experiences during the pandemic shutdown have left you skeptical about online tutoring, it may be time to take another look. Thoughtfully developed online programs like those offered by Reading Success Plus can be just as successful as in-person programs. Online tutoring isn’t for everyone, but it could be right for your family.
“We’ve worked with hundreds of kids at Reading Success Plus over the years,” says Lawrence Kloth, the company’s co-founder. “The majority of them could have done very well online, just as well as in person.”
Support for this contention is more than just anecdotal. Within the past five years, three studies have compared online tutoring for children with dyslexia with in-person instruction. All three concluded that virtual instruction was just as effective as having the tutor and student in the same room – provided that the online program was “properly implemented with evidence-based methods.” That’s exactly what you can expect from Reading Success Plus.
“Our online tutoring covers the same material that we do in-person,” Lawrence says. “We use the same explicit, evidence-based program geared toward treating dyslexia. All of our tutors are trained in that, and they have the proper online tools for multisensory instruction, even if the student and tutor are hundreds of miles apart.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Reading Success Plus delivered all its instruction online. Many students switched back to in-person afterward, but about 30 percent of our students now work online. Some choose a hybrid program, one session a week online and one session in the office. And even among students who prefer in-person only, most can do online sessions when, for example, bad weather or illness makes a trip to the office impossible.
Here are some of the elements that make the Reading Success Plus online tutoring successful:
Individual instruction: Our tutoring is always one-to-one – no group instruction. “A lot of people remember COVID when you had about 20 people online at once, and that’s not how we work,” Lawrence says. “We work exclusively one-on-one because we’ve found that to be the best way possible to get the most out of our students.”
This allows us to teach at the child’s own pace, which is especially important for students with dyslexia because repetition is essential. Your child will move through the lessons as quickly or as slowly as necessary – and they will never be left behind.
This also allows our tutors to get to know the students. “We want to build relationships with the students so they’re comfortable with us, so they can be their authentic selves during the tutoring sessions. We want to get the work done, but sometimes kids need a little time to decompress and talk about their day. That’s good, because we want to make sure that the tutor-student connection is there.”
Comfortable environment: “Some kids are much more comfortable online,” Lawrence says. “They’re better at home. It’s a more consistent, relaxing environment, especially when they can work in a quiet spot. Some of them really thrive in that situation.”
Students learn better when they feel comfortable and safe. “That doesn’t mean they can do whatever they want. We’ll keep them on task,” Lawrence points out. “But we want to make a safe space for them, because we understand that for our kids, school can be draining, can be anxiety-ridden. We don’t want tutoring to be like that.”
A multisensory experience: We want to teach our students the way they learn best, and for those with dyslexia, it’s a multisensory, active approach. Our students are interacting orally, maneuvering letter tiles, writing or typing, maybe playing interactive games specially designed to reinforce the lesson. Our online math instruction also retains the multisensory, hands-on methods that make it successful.
Eliminating barriers: Two of the biggest obstacles that keep families from seeking tutoring are time and distance. But online instruction eases the time crunch while eliminating the geographic factor.
“If you live on the other side of town and want to come to the office for tutoring, that may mean more than an hour in the car back and forth, plus another hour for the actual tutoring,” Lawrence says. “What if the child has other activities? What if there are other children in the family who have activities of their own? What if both parents work? Coming to the office may be impossible. But working online from home may be very doable.”
Additionally, eliminating the need for travel makes tutoring possible for everyone, anywhere. Reading Success Plus offices are in suburban Grand Rapids and Troy, but it has had students from all over the region, state, country, and even internationally. Students in remote areas or without transportation can get the potentially life-changing help they need if they have access to a computer and the internet.
Creating consistency: Even the most dedicated in-person families sometimes have trouble getting into the office. Weather, traffic, car problems, and illness can all keep students at home. With the option of online sessions, families can avoid disruptions and keep the learning momentum rolling.
Travel and extended vacations no longer have to set back progress. Families with cottages can spend weeks or months away from home and, if they have internet access, avoid the regression that often occurs when a child takes an extended break from tutoring. Dedicated families have used wi-fi connections at campgrounds or set up mobile hotspots in parking lots at the beach to stay on schedule with lessons. We certainly don’t begrudge anyone who wants to take a break, but it’s nice to know that the option for distance tutoring is always there.
What you’ll need
Here are the requirements for online tutoring with Reading Success Plus:
- A desktop or laptop computer is preferred. Chromebooks and tablets will work.
- A reliable connection to the internet.
- The latest version of the Zoom app.
- A quiet location where the student can maintain their focus.
- Headphones are recommended.
Please avoid a noisy or distraction-filled environment. Also, don’t use a phone for tutoring –- the student’s ability to interact with the lesson will be severely limited.
In-person advantages
As we said at the start, online tutoring isn’t necessarily right for everyone. In-person tutoring does have some advantages. They may not be a big deal for some students, but they may be dealbreakers for others.
- Tactile experiences. Many of our students are kinetic, hands-on learners who do their best when all their senses are engaged, including touch. While online learners can maneuver letter tiles with the mouse or touchscreen, that isn’t the same as physically sliding or picking up a tile. For some students, this is a significant drawback.
- Behavioral support. Students with ADHD may benefit from in-person attention redirection or behavior management. In some cases, it is too much to expect some students to control themselves on their own, especially for younger children. Also, by being physically present, the tutor may notice body language or other cues that they wouldn’t see on a computer screen.
- Building relationships. Developing a personal connection between the student and tutor can be easier when they are in the same room. This usually is more significant for younger children.
- Availability of technology. Not every family has access to the internet or the necessary electronic gear to successfully conduct online sessions.
“For some kids, these differences may be so important that in-person tutoring is the only way to go,” Lawrence says. “But the majority of kids do just fine online.”
Your decision
So, should you consider online tutoring? That depends on your family’s circumstances. Technology situations, behavior issues, learning styles, and even personal preferences are all reasons to stick with in-person learning. Convenience, consistency, and a comfortable learning environment are all advantages of online instruction. Weigh all the pros and cons and decide what’s best for your student and your family.
However, Lawrence emphasizes, don’t fall for the myth that online tutoring is some sort of watered-down product. It’s the exact same curriculum, fully interactive, one-on-one with the same trained tutors.
“Tutors and students can still make those genuine connections. You can still have a relationship with a child. You have all the tools online that you would have in person. It’s just that you’re doing it from a screen, from a farther distance.”
If you’re uncertain about online tutoring, contact Reading Success Plus for a free consultation. We can examine your student’s needs and your family’s situation, demonstrate how the online program works, and come up with a plan that works for your child.
“We understand that people are making an investment in their child,” Lawrence says, “and we want to make sure they’re getting the most out of their investment.
“Most of all, we want to make a difference for our students. We want them to be successful and become who they want to be.”
Reading Success Plus has offices in Grand Rapids and Troy and offers one-on-one tutoring online or in person in reading, math, and writing. You can get more information at readingsuccessplus.com. To contact us, call 833-229-1112 or go online to https://readingsuccessplus.com/#contact.