Online Math Tutoring for Kids: The Best Services for the Best Price
A little extra help is just a few clicks away.
Author
Jill Padfield
Published:
Sept 2024
Key takeaways
- There’s nothing wrong with getting help – Math can be overwhelming for students and parents alike, and online math tutoring tools are here to help.
- One size does not fit all – Online tutoring services can provide curated lessons and practice specific to your learner’s needs and abilities.
- Costs can vary dramatically – Depending on what you are looking for, online tutoring programs and tools can be entirely free or rather expensive. Knowing your exact needs can help you save time and money.
Nothing is quite as frustrating as trying to learn something that just doesn’t click. With class sizes growing by the day, teachers cannot always be available for 1-1 help, and when homework time rolls around, students and parents can feel entirely on their own. Fortunately, worried learners can access all sorts of online math tutoring to help push through the frustration and confusion.
Online math tutoring can take many forms, from online platforms helping you find traditional tutors who can coach your learner through voice and video chat to AI-generated lessons that adapt as your student completes practice problems. With so many options at your fingertips, knowing where to start can be just as intimidating as those math problems. Keep reading to learn all you need to know about online math tutoring as well as a few suggestions for where to start your search.
Today, Common Core is fully integrated in 41 states, 4 territories, and the DoDEA, the Department of Defense Education Activity. Read on to learn more about Common Core math.
Table of contents
What to look for in an online math tutoring platform
First, think about what your learner needs before diving into the expansive world of online math tutoring. If your child simply needs a little extra practice just to work out the last few wrinkles in their understanding, a simple math practicing app like Dreambox Math might be the perfect option.
However, if your learner needs more individualized help with someone who can explain step-by-step how to work out math problems, a service that connects with a traditional tutor may be the best option.
Regardless of what kind of online math tutoring you are checking out, there are a few things to review as you figure out the right fit.
The quality of the tutors available
Services that rely on human tutors can offer the most personalized and inspirational experiences on the market, but human tutors can vary dramatically in quality.Keep in mind that such variability may mean that one user’s experience may not match up with your own.
Many services allow you some freedom to choose your tutors, so you can research which ones are the most highly rated. You can also try a few out to see which tutor works best with your learner. The process might take some time, but finding the right tutor can make all the difference.
The variety in the teaching tools
Many online math tutoring services offer much more than simply connecting you with a tutor. Such sites may also host practice games, sample worksheets, and step-by-step guides for completing all sorts of math problems.
For simplicity’s sake, you should look for a service that acts as a one-stop shop for all your math practicing needs, especially if you end up paying for the service.
A commitment to helping your child play to their strengths
Any good tutor knows that encouragement and a focus on success are vital for helping struggling students succeed with challenging material. An ideal online math tutoring service will not only identify areas that need improvement, but will also celebrate strengths your student demonstrates.
Recognizing these victories isn’t just about building confidence, either. Knowing what clicks or what has worked in the past can help tutors design new strategies to help tackle those areas that may still be giving your learner some problems.
Benefits of online math tutoring for kids
Some parents and guardians may be a little wary of online tutoring tools. The costs may seem like a burden, and they may wonder if the perks are worth the price. However, if your learner is struggling or even just looking to reinforce their skills, online math tutoring has plenty of benefits.
1. Convenience
One of the best parts of online tutoring is that you can get excellent help and engage with helpful tutors from the comfort of your own home.
2. Customized, one-on-one instruction
As tutors learn about your child’s specific needs, they can tailor their instruction specifically for your learner’s unique strengths and weaknesses. This level of personalization will dramatically help your child learn where traditional classroom environments might not have done the trick.
3. A deeper appreciation for math
Tutoring is all about conversation, and these one-on-one chats with highly-trained tutors can help deepen a student’s understanding and appreciation of math. This new context helps new concepts click faster and encourages future success in the subject.
4. A supplement for the classroom, especially in the off season
Studies show that learning loss over the summer is dramatic and challenging. Keep your child sharp and ready for the new school year by employing online math tutoring during those hot summer months.
The 10 best online math tutoring platforms
There are tons of online tutoring options out there, so where do you start? Below, you will find a wide array of choices that cater to different grade levels, tutoring intensity, and pricing needs.
Wyzant allows for users to find their own tutors without relying on matching services. This might take a little more time at first, but it allows users to have more direct control over who they work with. Tutors are available for many different subject areas and also set their own prices. You’ll likely find a good fit, but you can expect variability in pricing.
This service offers a wide array of tutors to help with math at all levels. With both online and in-person tutoring on offer and with a specific focus on improving test scores and college entrance exams, this platform has earned a great reputation. Pricing can vary depending on your needs. For help with homework the price is reasonable, but more advanced math tutoring is steeper.
Learner is a great choice for students in higher-level math courses. This service provides high school math tutors who cover a wide range of courses beyond the staples like geometry and algebra. These tutors are available at various times, so you’ll likely find a time that works for you. Just know that the same tutor might not always be around at the same time. Pricing is very affordable compared to other customized learning plans and tutor matching services, and there is a full satisfaction guarantee.
This service targets traditionally underserved populations first and foremost, which can make it a great option for learners who may not immediately respond to other tutoring services or if price is a major barrier. Learn to Be is entirely free while still offering 1-to-1 tutoring sessions. Demand may make finding an available tutor challenging, though.
With its highly convenient Instant Tutoring feature, Varsity Tutors quickly connects learners to online tutors covering more than 2,500 subjects in a heartbeat. Users do report varying degrees of quality from these tutors, but Varsity does promise a thorough vetting process.
Chegg provides 24/7 on-demand access to homework help and tutoring guides. While you won’t find a personal tutor with Chegg, you can still find plenty of guides and a helpful question-based interface to get you the info you need.
If you’re looking for a math app with plenty of practice games that can be personalized to your learner’s specific needs, Dreambox is a great pick. This app helps keep learners engaged as they tackle practice elementary-level math. If you don’t quite feel the need for direct tutoring, this option is great for general practice.
With on-demand licensed teachers ready to help with math homework and to answer any burning questions, Skooli is a great answer for those who need occasional help. You’ll only pay when you use the service, and the rate is highly affordable for short sessions. This is a great choice if you don’t think your learner will need consistent help.
As the name might imply, Tutor Doctor is a prescriptive tutoring service that takes learning styles into account when pairing learners up with tutors. The pricing can be a little pricey, though, and you may need to commit to a contract and pay the full amount for their educational plan before tutoring begins. Make sure that this option feels like a perfect fit before signing on.
This service hosts a dedicated staff of tutors specializing in test prep. They may not be the best option for simple homework help for that reason. However, if you are looking for SAT or ACT prep, these guys come highly-rated.
FAQs about online math tutoring
Expect some initial questions about what your student is working on or struggling with. Some tutors may also take the time to learn about hobbies or other interests your learner has in order to make more of a connection and to try and make the material as relevant to them as possible.
This can depend on the tutor and your learner’s needs. You may get a guided lesson on the material where a tutor shares their screen to cover some practice problems and math concepts. You may also just have a tutor on the line available to answer any questions your child may have as they work.
Learning platforms offer many different tools and features to help learners practice math on their own. Online tutoring traditionally means that your learner will be paired up with an actual person who will communicate with them and help them master whatever subject they may be struggling with.
Dreambox offers extensive games and personalized activities for students to practice math, but the platform does not offer one-on-one tutoring.
