There are 5 things to keep in mind when choosing a teacher online

Written by Minal Anand

Every child is unique. Every child’s learning speed is different and requires a customized learning method. While one child may be very good at concentrating, another may find it difficult to stay in one place during class. We cannot use ‘one size fits all approach’ with young students. It is essential to appreciate their uniqueness and to realize the fact that they need to be addressed separately.

Finding the right tutor was however a challenging task. Due to the epidemic, many education has shifted to online mode. Choosing a teacher online can be a more difficult and arduous task. Here are 5 things you should consider before choosing an online teacher.

1. Relying on a verified source

The market today is flooded with a large number of tutors. However, as a parent, it is difficult to confirm the skills that a tutor has. It is advisable not to look for a teacher yourself without relying on websites and portals that do thorough research before hiring a teacher. It allows you to rest in peace knowing that your child is in the right hands. In addition, if you are dissatisfied with the teacher, you can talk to the relevant website or portal and request a replacement. The onus is on them to find another tutor and you can get out of trouble. While accountability can be a challenge for individual tutors, hiring tutors through the portal lets you be assured of the skills they offer.

2. Evaluate comfort with the help of technology

In physical classes, one does not need to bother if the tutor understands how to use video-conferencing applications or get involved. However, with online education, ease with technology is crucial. The tutor should be familiar with using video conferencing apps such as Zoom, Google Meet or Microsoft Team. In addition, the tutor must understand how to engage with the student. Teaching methods may also differ from online classes because the teacher has access to sharing content and setting assignments that students can enter. A teacher who does not feel comfortable using technology cannot effectively provide online classes.

3. Consistency with the student

We all know that we have school and college favorites. This is mainly due to our compatibility with the teacher and how they encourage us. Similarly, before hiring an online tutor, it is important to make sure that the student is comfortable with the tutor. To evaluate this, the demo class is the exclusive opportunity to determine the compatibility between the tutor and the student. Needless to say, a student can learn more and focus better on the subject if he or she can connect well with the tutor. In addition, it allows the student to ask questions without hesitation and to clear doubts without fear of being judged.

4. Top notch communication skills

Your child will ideally look to his or her tutor. Having a good mentor at this age will definitely make them a confident person in the future. At the moment, it is very important for tutors to be proficient in English and have excellent communication skills. A child will spend enough time with the tutor after school, for this reason, parents need to make sure that the tutor has good communication skills as the child will try to learn from the tutor and assimilate.

5. Enthusiasm and attitude

The tutor you choose should be very passionate about teaching and learning. Any tutor you hire should be encouraged and have a positive attitude. Keeping the child engaged and motivated in an online session can be a daunting task, therefore, the tutor must have the ability to keep the child motivated during the tutoring session. If necessary he will be able to praise the student and ensure discipline in the session. The student should feel good after a tutoring session and at the end of each session, the student must feel that he has learned something and the session has benefited him.

If you keep the above points in mind, you will be able to find the perfect online teacher for your child.

The author is the co-founder and CEO of Gurukyu

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