Parents are often curious about how in-home tutoring differs from learning centers. Let’s break down the strengths of each option!
Curriculum
It goes without saying that every student is different, both in how they learn and what they are being taught in school. Teachers have varying lesson plans, projects, and classroom requirements – and as a result, the “one size fits all” technique often doesn’t translate to tutoring.
This is the main area in-home tutoring differs from learning centers. A personalized tutor will design their curriculum around the student’s specific needs, taking their individual learning style into account while doing so. One-to-one tutoring tends to focus more on pinpointed goals through the process of identifying “problem areas” and addressing them directly.
Learning centers understandably have to create a curriculum that is applicable to a larger group of students. As a result, this type of instruction doesn’t offer the same degree of flexibility (in terms of how the material is presented). Learning centers still do an excellent job of providing a general curriculum based on a student’s grade level, and some students enjoy the more broad approach.
Convenience
When it comes down to it, convenience is a primary factor for many families. A key difference between personalized tutoring and learning centers is essentially the “hours of operation.” In-home tutoring offers a greater degree of flexibility due to the fact that students work with individual teachers. As a result, in-home tutoring sessions can often be scheduled during times when learning centers are closed (evenings and weekends, for instance). For busy families with hectic schedules, this added convenience is often a primary appeal of in-home tutoring options.
With this in mind, learning centers do offer the added benefit of essentially providing a safe location for parents to drop off their students while also feeling comfortable knowing that their children will be supervised. In-home tutoring requires a legal guardian to be present, so most parents who choose this option won’t be running errands during a session. Unless, of course, an older adult sibling is there to supervise.
- Tutor Doctor Tip: Some parents want the educational benefits of personalized tutoring, but understandably do not have the scheduling flexibility to be present during sessions. A popular option is for one-to-one tutoring sessions to be scheduled in a public location, such as a library or even the school itself.
Need more help deciding if one-to-one tutoring is the right choice for your child? Let us know! Tutor Doctor can help determine if your child would benefit from a tutor who has been matched to their personality style and learning strengths.
