Do You Really Need a STEM Tutor? How One-on-One STEM Tutoring Can Help You
Ensuring that they are doing the best for their children is a top priority for parents, especially when it comes to education. Parents and guardians want to be certain they are providing their child with all the advantages and learning opportunities, which can be accomplished with the help of one-on-one tutoring. In the past, tutoring is perceived as reserved only for students who are struggling with their academic obligations. But many parents are now realizing that private tutoring is a crucial tool for all learners, particularly in math and science or STEM subjects. One-on-one STEM tutoring supplements what is being taught in the classroom while also providing an opportunity for students to pursue topics and interests that are not normally tackled in typical curriculums.
One-on-one STEM tutoring is especially important not only because many students often find math and science subjects the most challenging but also because STEM education teaches skills that are crucial in every student’s academic journey—and even in later life. So whether a student thinks STEM subjects are right up their alley or something that causes a lot of stress and anxiety, one-on-one STEM tutoring can offer the type of support and individualized attention they can’t always get in the classroom.
What Makes STEM Subjects Different
It’s not uncommon to hear students complain about how tough STEM subjects are. This is because STEM subjects are unlike other traditional courses and require different skills and ways of learning. This can be a challenge for many students and may cause learning gaps as they struggle to adapt to the academic demands and keep up with their peers. However, these differences are also what make STEM subjects invaluable and highly competitive.
1. STEM subjects typically require only one correct answer. In other liberal arts courses, students are encouraged to explain and interpret a certain concept using their own words. It can result in vastly different or opposing ideas, which can all be acceptable answers. STEM subjects, on the other hand, are far less subjective. They are more precise and objective, and giving an answer that is “almost correct” is often not enough to earn credit.
2. STEM subjects are cumulative and get increasingly difficult. The foundations of STEM subjects are some of the very first lessons you learn as a young child. You learn to count, add, and subtract. You learn about the states of matter. As you progress through elementary, high school, and college, your math and science subjects build upon the fundamental concepts you’ve learned along the way. Often, you’ll find yourself discussing the same topics but with more depth and complexity. A student with weak foundational skills and understanding will struggle to keep up as they have no core knowledge to fall back on and ground them.
3. STEM subjects test a student’s ability to apply concepts. There are other subjects that rely heavily on your memorization skills or ability to interpret text and other content. In most cases, STEM courses aren’t one of them. Instead, STEM subjects consistently test students on their application skills—how well they can apply concepts they’ve learned to problems they haven’t encountered before. This requires critical thinking and analysis skills in choosing and applying the correct concepts to find the solution.
What Are the Benefits of One-on-One STEM tutoring?
Whether in-person or online, one-on-one STEM tutoring offers individualized instruction that targets the specific needs and learning gaps of a student. One-on-one STEM tutoring allows students to learn in a comfortable environment—free from the stress and distraction of a classroom—and at their own pace and level.
Learning from a private math and science tutor also provides students the opportunity to strengthen their understanding and grasp of fundamental concepts and skills as they are not constrained by a strict curriculum. Similarly, students who are working with a private STEM tutor are also free to pursue topics that interest them but are not covered in the classroom.
Some of the most important benefits of one-on-one STEM tutoring are:
1. Offers personalized learning. One-on-one STEM tutoring is a personalized experience. It allows students to take control of their education—what they learn, how they learn, and when and where they learn. Private tutoring is a powerful and effective learning tool because it is tailored to address a student’s specific needs. You can focus on particularly challenging content or move on to more advanced material. Lessons can also be built around your interests and learning style and incorporate activities and topics you enjoy, such as music, video games, movies, or sports.
2. Allows deeper learning. In the classroom, teachers follow a curriculum and allot a specific amount of time for each topic. Students are then expected to grasp the content within that timeframe or risk falling behind. While this approach may work sometimes, it can be tricky to implement when covering topics with more complexity and depth. As a result, the lessons may feel rushed, and students are forced to move on without having fully understood the previous material. With one-on-one STEM tutoring, you have the option to slow down, focus, and explore a specific topic as deeply as you need to until you feel comfortable and confident enough to tackle the next lesson.
3. Builds confidence in your abilities. One-on-one private tutoring is for all students, regardless of their skill or learning level. The lessons are designed to meet students at the level or pace they are most comfortable with and gradually progress. As the student masters one area, the lessons and activities introduced by the tutor increase in difficulty as well. Experiencing these successes from one content to the next allows students to feel more comfortable about the subject and develops their confidence and independence. Likewise, it motivates them to tackle more challenging problems.
4. Encourages questions and curiosity. Teachers always say not to hesitate to ask questions when something is unclear, but as any student would know, this is often easier said than done. The thought of drawing attention to yourself and letting your entire class know that you don’t understand the lesson isn’t exactly encouraging. On the other hand, private tutoring offers students a safe and comfortable learning environment, where questions won’t be broadcasted to the whole class. In fact, private STEM tutors encourage their students to ask questions because doing so tells them how interested they are in the topic and how much they’ve learned and understood.
5. Teaches better accountability. Homework, class participation, and exams are the most common ways by which students learn to be accountable in a typical classroom setting. But in some instances, students can get away with doing the bare minimum as teachers don’t always have the time to evaluate whether a student is performing to the best of their abilities. Slip-ups often go unnoticed unless they become an obvious pattern or have already resulted in poor grades. With one-on-one private tutoring, students are given all the attention they need, and work is evaluated after every session. Because students have more control over the whys and hows of their learning, they are more motivated to learn and perform better. For example, when allowed to choose a particular topic to focus on, a student becomes more engaged and listens with more intent.
6. Develops transferable skills. STEM teaches foundational skills that apply not only to math and science subjects but also to other courses and life outside the classroom. These include critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills, which can be further honed and developed in a one-on-one setting.
7. Ignites your interest in STEM learning. Math, science, and other STEM courses have long been deemed the toughest subjects in school. And while they are certainly challenging (and sometimes, not for the faint of heart), STEM subjects also provide some of the most interesting, rewarding, and fun learning experiences any student can have. One-on-one STEM tutoring allows students to explore topics outside of their curriculum and discover things that can spark interests they didn’t even know they had.
One-on-One STEM Tutoring for All Students
Stemly Tutoring offers comprehensive, individualized, online one-on-one STEM tutoring for students of all ages. Our friendly, highly trained, and professional math and science tutoring experts can teach foundational and advanced concepts in a fun, engaging, and accessible way, regardless of your skill level. All lessons are conducted online, giving you the advantage of having a flexible schedule without sacrificing the quality of your education.
Our math and science tutors are experienced in teaching a wide variety of students and have comprehensive and extensive knowledge of local curriculums.
Stemly’s math and science tutoring services include Pre-Algebra tutoring, Algebra 1 tutoring, Algebra 2 tutoring, Geometry tutoring, Trigonometry tutoring, Pre-Calculus tutoring, Calculus 1 tutoring, Calculus 2 tutoring, Multivariable Calculus tutoring, Statistics tutoring, General Physics tutoring, Mechanics tutoring, Electricity & Magnetism tutoring, General Chemistry tutoring, Organic Chemistry tutoring, General Biology tutoring, and Biochemistry tutoring. We also offer AP math and science tutoring, including AP Calculus AB tutoring, AP Calculus BC tutoring, AP Physics 1 tutoring, AP Physics 2 tutoring, AP Physics C tutoring, AP Chemistry, and AP Biology tutoring.
Reach out to Stemly Tutoring today to find out more about how we can help!