David Burchman Comments on Article Discussing Pros, Cons of Online Help

PHILADELPHIA, PA, December 19, 2012

A new article from Forbes discusses the business of tutoring, which is an industry that has steadily grown in recent years. In fact, it is expected to become a $102 billion business in the near future. The demand for tutors is on the rise, as students are coming to college increasingly behind their peers. David Burchman, an Oregon-based tutor, sees tutoring as an essential part of academic success.

According to a paper by Cherie Mazur called Online Tutoring: A New Retention and Remediation Solution, the number of students who are enrolling in undergraduate degree programs has jumped 34 percent from 2000 to 2009. However, many of these students come to college unprepared. Virtual Strategy magazine notes that 60 percent of students who enter community college require at least one remedial course. In today's increasingly Internet-driven society, many of these students are turning to online tutors to help them catch up academically. Tutor.com estimates that it has already offered over eight million sessions.

However, some critics fear that online tutoring is no match for face-to-face assistance. Tutoring website Math and Reading Help explains that there are several major flaws with online tutoring. For example, distractions can happen quite easily. It is relatively easy to feign participation in an online tutoring session while simultaneously browsing the Internet and exchanging text messages with friends.

David Burchman, tutor, comments on this issue stating, "In my mind, there's no substitute for face-to-face contact when it comes to tutoring. It's nearly impossible to get through an online tutoring session without succumbing to distractions, but when you're working in person with an instructor, this isn't an option. Though online tutoring can certainly be helpful, it's probably not as effective as sitting down with someone and going over your problem areas."

For parents of students receiving online tutoring, sites like Math and Tutoring Help advise them to remain aware of the limits of technology when it comes to improving grades. Some subjects, like geometry, are simply more difficult to get help with online.

Burchman believes, "There's something special about having the ability to sit next to someone and have a conversation with them. It makes it much easier to understand and just keeps you focused. I feel as though something would be lost without having the ability to point to a problem on a piece of paper and work through it with that student."

Though there are doubts about this strategy, Tutor.com has reported that more than 90 percent of students saw improved grades and higher confidence levels after using an online tutoring service.

ABOUT:

David Burchman is a Eugene, Oregon-based tutor who runs his own company called Always Prepared Tutoring. He helps high school students improve their grades and boost their GPAs. In addition to this, David also spends a significant amount of time getting pupils ready for important exams such as the ACT and SAT.