A Better Zoom Tutoring Session

Remote learning has a bad rap because so many students struggled in online classrooms last spring. However, a remote tutoring session is very different than a remote class. It is way easier to make for an effective, individualized learning experience while tutoring—it’s a conversation, not a class! Below you’ll find recommendations creating better online remote tutoring sessions. Learn more by watching Braintrust CEO and co-founder, Mara Koffmann, in conversation with Benjie Messinger-Barnes, Director of Distance Learning at Friends Seminary.

Key takeaways …

Choose your tech wisely! While there are a lot of platforms and options out there for video sharing or recording, such as remote video production, Zoom has so much to offer for remote tutoring. With super stable connections, screen sharing features, an integrated whiteboard with drawing and text capabilities, plus the option to add additional feeds from another screen like a tablet or iPhone, Zoom is a remote tutor’s dream!
Rapport is key! Establishing an interpersonal connection is crucial to any great relationship. That is especially true for tutoring connections that begin or will remain online. Take time to get to know your students during your first session, and keep checking in over time!
Create structure, including time for breaks! It can be hard for anyone to endure a long conference call or online presentation. So it’s no surprise that students get distracted, particularly if they have ADHD to contend with as well. That’s why it is so helpful to set expectations for the structure of remote tutoring sessions, and to include breaks! Whether it’s to go to the bathroom or to get a snack, communicating the schedule for how long a student will need to remain focused before a break can be a huge relief.
Make it multi-sensory! Good teaching principles apply just as much to online learning as they do to in-person lessons. With that in mind, remember to switch up the types of activities for each online lesson. A multi-sensory learning experience will lead to the best learning outcomes. Be sure to have kids reading, writing, listening, visualizing, and using manipulatives with any topic.