Is Online Education Right For You?

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When I was in school, there were few options if the traditional classroom setting were not a good fit for you.

Today, there are so many choices out there for parents and students! I get excited about parents having more than one option.

Online education is one of those options. Whether you use online education for tutoring or for the mainstay of your child's education, you may be hesitant about deciding if it is right for you.

For tutoring, there are benefits to using an online tutoring company.  No road time! If you live in a traffic-congested area, thinking about getting your child to a tutoring center, or to a tutor's home, while battling traffic may not be appealing to you. Personally, it gives me a headache just thinking about it. That road time also takes time out of the child's schedule that could be put to more of a productive use. This is especially helpful to parents who have more than one child to get to point A to point B. Using an online tutoring source cuts down on shuttling for parents who are already pretty busy.

Along with cutting back on spending time on the road, it also means cutting back on spending money on gas for all that driving. Tutoring is already something that will be taking money from your budget. Why not go with a tutoring option that doesn't take money for gas?

Online tutoring offers a comfort zone. Some children do really well with meeting a new teacher/tutor in person and immediately getting to work. Other children prefer the comfort of being in their own home when meeting a new teacher online. Being behind the computer screen sometimes will encourage children to try at things they might be shy to do so otherwise. An example of this is in writing assignments. When I work with students online, they are able to see me. However, when I have just asked a student to work on a writing assignment, I turn off my camera. I assure them I am right there and can hear them and they can still hear me. But I have found that kids will write more freely if they don't have someone right there staring at them while they are trying to think! I can't imagine how they would feel if they had to write something with a tutor right there next them in the same room.

The technology of the online learning platforms is an interest to many students. This interest encourages them to do more, perhaps challenge themselves more, than they would with traditional tutoring. Their interest in the technology helps keep them engaged during the instructional time.

Online tutoring offers more flexible scheduling as well. Some students do their best work in the early morning. Some do better work several hours after supper. Others have special interests or sports that take up time in their schedules. Finding an online tutor who will work with your child's hours is easier than working with a traditional tutoring center.

Check with the online tutoring company in which you are interested. Most of the companies only offer one-on-one tutoring. This is definitely a plus! Whether you are using tutoring for remedial or enrichment purposes, you want your child getting undivided attention. Some traditional tutoring centers will not only have one teacher working with your child, but other children as well. (all the while charging an exorbitant fee)

If this sounds like you might want to look into online tutoring, then start your search with MindLaunch.  MindLaunch is a company that only hires certified teachers and does a background check on each of them. The sessions are conducted using a great learning platform (interactive whiteboard) and video. Your child can see his teacher and the teacher can assess whether the child is engaged or not. Other reasons that make MindLaunch a special company can be found on their website. I especially was drawn to their concern for the learner being matched with right teacher and their concern for safety and privacy.

Swing by MindLaunch and give it a look-see!