The short answer
Both can work. Research on one-to-one tutoring is strong, and studies involving digital technology show broadly similar effects. In one large pilot in England, though, most students said they'd prefer in-person tutoring if given the choice. Choose in person if your child needs someone beside them or you have a good tutor nearby. Choose online for a wider choice of tutors, no travel, and a child who can stay focused on a screen.
Once you've decided to look for a tutor, the next question is usually whether lessons should be online or at a table together. There's no single right answer, but there are good ways to narrow it down. This guide covers what the research says, what each option is good for, and the questions worth asking.
What the research says
A good place to start is the Teaching and Learning Toolkit from Evidence for Learning, an Australian summary of education research. The closest thing to a direct look at online tutoring is a pilot from England, so read it as a guide rather than a verdict.
- One-to-one tutoring works. The toolkit puts it at about five months' extra progress on average.
- Digital looks similar. The toolkit says studies involving digital technology show broadly similar effects.
- Most students would still choose in person. The 2020 pilot reached 1,425 students, 80% of them in Years 10 and 11. Its report found most would prefer in-person tutoring if given the choice.
- Students still got a lot from online. Most (76%) of those who answered its survey said they now enjoyed learning more than before.
- Equipment mattered. Access to devices and reliable internet was a key barrier, especially at home.
That pilot tested whether online tutoring could work during school closures. It didn't compare results between online and in-person lessons.
