Building a Strong Online Tutor-Student Relationship – Key Ingredients for Success

Online tutoring has become one of the most sought-after services in recent years. Since the pandemic accelerated what was already a big shift in the popularity of online tutoring, more and more parents have been looking for ways to give their children opportunities in a school system that’s more competitive than ever.

Regardless of whether someone turns to an online tutor to supplement their schoolwork or to become their primary source of education on that subject, the relationship between tutor and student is vital. Given the unfamiliar nature of online classes, traditional methods of striking up a rapport with a student are not available.   And with an entirely digital world’s worth of distractions at the student’s fingertips, the onus of cultivating this relationship falls on the tutor.

Strong Tutor-Student Relationship

Nurturing the tutor-student relationship takes time, effort, and a variety of skills on the part of the tutor. From mandatory tech proficiency and expertise in the subject matter to the ability to communicate in a clear, supportive, and encouraging manner, tutors need to have the ability to listen, as well as teach.

Building a connection with any student will require a personalized approach to learning and support from a tutor.

Communication and Trust

Any good relationship starts with communication, and healthy communication can be tougher than many people think. The challenges of communicating are compounded when those involved have to speak through video calls, emails, or messages. For online tutors, step one in establishing a relationship with a student that’s founded in clear and regular communication is setting expectations.

Students must be informed on what days and at what times they will hear from their tutor.  All ground rules for online sessions must be established immediately. These steps are vital because the online tutoring experience is different from the classroom setting.  Therefore, students need to be reminded that they will have rules as they would in any class at school.

Once the planning is done and the rules are in place, the communication nurturing focuses on encouraging active participation and open dialogue to address any concerns or anxieties. These steps toward effective communication set the foundation for a strong tutor-student relationship.

Active Listening and Empathy

The next step for tutors goes hand-in-hand with open communication and that’s becoming active and empathetic listeners. Tutors need to be attentive to what students are saying and show that they have a genuine interest in their student’s progress. This is achieved by considering what they’ve said and responding appropriately.

Similarly important is developing and maintaining a high level of empathy. Each student is unique, both in terms of their background and experience.  Their particular needs in a tutoring class also need to be considered. Tutors must work on building a rapport with students from all walks of life by using reflective listening and ensuring they’ve fully understood what the student has said.

Personalized Learning and Support

Online tutoring lets tutors fully personalize lesson plans to a student’s specific needs, something school teachers could only dream of being able to do. No two students learn at the same rate, and no two students will have the same level of knowledge coming into a tutoring course.

The ability to properly evaluate a student, and tailor lessons and teaching methods grants tutors a freedom that often leads to accelerated progress for their students. Different students have unique needs in terms of learning pace, learning style, and repetition. If one student needs to practice the same math problem fifteen times before they understand the concept.  That same student can get the support they need in an online tutoring lesson.

By tailoring classes to individual needs, tutors deepen their relationship with their students. The tutor can identify the student’s limits.  Rather than rush through to another topic, the tutor can spend time helping the student overcome topics that challenge them, nurturing their relationship during the process.

Positive Feedback and Encouragement

Once a tutor has established a rapport with their student, it’s far more likely that the student will listen to them and apply the tutor’s feedback. Offering students constructive feedback will help them identify areas in which they are struggling. They can then properly attempt to overcome these challenges, and, ultimately, build their confidence.

On top of the confidence boost brought on by positive feedback and encouragement, it’s vital to acknowledge and celebrate progress. Tutors can foster great relationships with students when the student feels like they are working together towards a common goal. When students improve, succeed, or excel, and tutors celebrate this, the students will see a boost to their motivation. The student with then be keen to hit the next goal and the one after that.

Technological Proficiency and Adaptability

Online tutors must be able to master the platform they use and all the tools they have available to them. Given the nature of the classes, technical hitches can occur, but will not help tutors nurture their relationships with their students. The best tutors are masters of their own platform’s technology, and well-equipped with plans B, C, and D, should plan A run into trouble.

Smooth, effective online lessons require stable internet connections, and the tutor must be able to create a sense of flow during the lesson. Needless to say, any interruptions or connectivity issues would ruin this flow. Tutors need to be able to troubleshoot any technical issues that they can foresee during lessons.

On top of that, children enjoy online lessons most when they get to use platforms or applications that are different from the ones they would otherwise use to learn. Tutors that explore interesting teaching technologies and applications, and provide clear instructions on how and when they will be used during lessons, will find it easier to connect with their students if the kids want to use the platforms, apps, and tools.

Building a Sense of Community and Connection

The final step for online tutors that goes into building a strong relationship with their students is to essentially create a community in which students feel comfortable enough to learn. What that means is that tutors will need to make students feel comfortable with asking questions, expressing doubts, and getting involved in solving problems.

Without the proper environment, many students will feel too shy, embarrassed, or anxious to get involved in the lessons. Students of all levels should be encouraged to get involved in the lesson, and peer-to-peer learning is a great way to push students to come out of their comfort zone.

Celebrating the various backgrounds and experiences of students will help in creating a comfortable, communal environment. It’s important that every student who takes online lessons feels safe sharing their opinions, experiences, and perspectives. When students feel seen, heard, and valued, their relationships with their tutors will reach new heights.

The Key Ingredients

The importance of the online tutor-student relationship can’t be overstated.   Students learn best when they have a positive relationship with the person teaching them.  Still,  both students and tutors will benefit from doing their best to contribute to a positive, productive class setting.

Enhancing the learning experience for students is a priority for all tutors. By following the steps we’ve laid out above, from effective communication to building a sense of community, tutors can ensure they create the best possible learning environment for their students.