There seems to be a widespread perception that online tutoring is necessarily inferior to in-person tutoring. Nothing could be further from the truth. While the quality of any tutoring depends largely on 
the skills and experience of the tutor, online tutoring can be just as effective as in-person tutoring and when you consider the convenience and cost, even better. Here are some tips to ensure that you make the most of your online tutoring experience.
- For best results use a computer with a large screen that is hard-wired to the internet.
- Make sure that your camera and microphone are both working and turned on. Some students are shy about being on camera, but visual interaction is key for the success of both the tutee and the tutor.
- Be ready to enter the online classroom before the scheduled start of the session.
- Have materials ready to use: paper, worksheets, calculator and any other documents that might be required like a periodic table for example.
- Send documents and topic information to the tutor well in advance of the session (preferably 24 hours). When sending documents, pictures will work but good quality scans will show up best during the session.
- During the tutoring session, verbalize your actions and thought processes as much as possible. This will allow the tutor to know what you are writing and how you are coming to conclusions. It has also been shown that verbalizing can be a key aid to the learning process.
- Don’t be afraid to suggest answers, ask questions and actively participate.
With the right online tutor (me for example), following these simple guidelines will help make your online tutoring experience at least as good as in-person. Considering the convenience and cost, it will be even better.