Online tutoring has gained significant popularity in recent years as an alternative to traditional, in-person tutoring. While both forms of tutoring have their benefits, online
tutoring has several advantages over in-person tutoring that make it an attractive option for students and tutors alike.

1. Increased Convenience: One of the biggest advantages of online tutoring is its convenience. With online tutoring, students can receive tutoring from the comfort of
their own homes, without having to worry about transportation or scheduling conflicts. This is particularly beneficial for students in remote areas who may not have
access to local tutors or for those who have busy schedules. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (2019), “among the students who took online courses
in the fall 2016 term, about 60 percent reported that the flexibility of online courses
was one of the main reasons they took them.”

2. Lower Costs: Another advantage of online tutoring is that it is often more affordable than in-person tutoring. Tutors do not have the overhead costs of running a physical
location, and students do not need to spend money on transportation. A study conducted by the Sloan Consortium (Allen & Seaman, 2006) found that “the cost savings from taking courses online can be significant, with students typically saving $900 to $2,000 on tuition and fees.”

3. Greater Accessibility: Online tutoring makes education accessible to anyone with an internet connection and a computer, regardless of location. This means that students in remote areas can receive the same quality education as those in urban areas. In a study conducted by the Sloan Consortium (Allen & Seaman, 2006), it was found that “more than 3.2 million students were taking at least one online course during the fall 2005 term, an increase of more than 10% over the previous year.”

4. Improved Outcomes: A number of studies have shown that students who receive online tutoring perform better than those who do not receive tutoring or who receive
traditional, in-person tutoring. For example, a study conducted by the International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning (Chen & Liang, 2008) found that
“students who received online tutoring showed significant improvement in their academic performance, compared to students who did not receive tutoring or who received tutoring in a traditional, face-to-face setting.”

In conclusion, online tutoring offers numerous advantages over in-person tutoring, including increased convenience, lower costs, greater accessibility, and improved outcomes. As technology continues to advance and online education continues to grow, online tutoring is likely to become an even more popular and accessible option for students and tutors.

References:

Allen, E. & Seaman, J. (2006). Online Nation: Five Years of Growth in Online Learning. The Sloan Consortium.

Chen, W. & Liang, Y. (2008). The Effectiveness of Online Tutoring: A Meta-Analytic Review. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 9(2), 1-13.

National Center for Education Statistics. (2019). Distance Education Courses for Undergraduate Students: Fall 2016