Access Part One of the Q&A Here. 

How do students access Tutor.com services? 

Students access our services from any device that is connected to the Internet.  Desktop computers, laptops, tablets, phones and even the iPod Touch—students can connect from any of these devices 24/7.  Our Tutor.com To Go mobile app enhances the experience for students using the iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch.  We have a growing number of students who are choosing to connect to a tutor using their mobile device. 

 Can you describe how tutors work with students?

Every student who uses our service is unique and so is every tutor.  No two sessions are exactly the same, but our tutors have a consistent approach.  Tutors assess the student’s knowledge and then guide the student to solve their problem.  Tutors never simply provide an answer.  They work with the student until the student understands the concept and can solve a similar problem on their own.   This approach helps engage and empower students.  More than 90% of students tell us they are getting better grades, completing more assignments and have more confidence. 

 What types of reports do you offer?

Our clients are very data driven and we see a trend in higher education of more decisions being made based on data analysis.  We recognize this need and work with our clients to deliver the information they want most – student usage and usage patterns.  Each month, we email our clients a report that includes individual and aggregate student usage, usage by subjects, student ratings and student comments about their experiences.  We offer additional analysis that looks for trends so you know if a high percentage of students are having problems with a recent statistics unit for example.  The data we provide is easy to export into other systems for further analysis.  

 Does research support online tutoring?

Yes.  We encourage people to read Online Tutoring: A New Retention and Remediation Solution, a recent white paper published by Cherie Mazur, Ed.M that takes a look at the research done on online tutoring and its effective use in higher education.  From our own experience, 8 million tutoring sessions delivered in the past decade, we see students making great strides in their learning when online tutoring is available as a support tool.  Our own data shows that more than 90% of students report that their grades have improved; they have completed more assignments; and, have more confidence in school.  As one student recently told us “I hate math, but I can do it when I have Tutor.com.” 

How much does Tutor.com cost?

Tutor.com works with each of our clients to provide a customized solution that is right for their retention needs.  Just need a writing or math program?  We can do that.  Want to provide 10 hours a semester just to students who have been flagged at-risk?  We can do that too.  Once we identify clients’ needs, we create a program and provide a budget.  We have many budget tools that give our clients’ effective ways to offer and manage their programs no matter what they want to spend on student retention and support. 

Sandi White is the Vice President of Tutor.com for Higher Education. She can be reached at SWhite@Tutor.com. To learn about Tutor.com's services, visit www.Tutor.com.