If your child is struggling in school, online tutoring is a quick and convenient way for her to receive extra help in subjects ranging from math and English to social studies and biology — all without needing to leave home.

A large majority of the tutors are certified teachers, who, along with a web cam, microphone and white board are able to help your child with homework or a particular subject they may be struggling with.

Kieron Moeller, a math, English and Canadian history teacher at Complexe Scolaire St. Claude School in St. Claude, Man., says online tutoring is great for a student who needs just a little extra help but who may not require the more comprehensive services of an in-person tutor.

 

“Students can benefit from a back-up — a go-to person when they need help, and online tutoring can help,” she says. “Ultimately, parents have to decide [whether] the costs and benefits of tutoring [are worth it] and find the right online tutor for them. Being realistic about expectations is the key to success.”

Some of the best Canadian sites we’ve found:

1. Sylvan Learning

Age: children in Grades 3 through 8

Subjects: reading and math

Tutors: highly trained and certified

What you need: PC with Windows software and a high-speed Internet connection

Cost: $199 diagnostic test to determine child’s personalized needs, tutoring approximately $45-50 hr, $100 software kit that includes headset and writing pad that allows child to communicate with tutor in real time

 

For more information: call 888-EDUCATE, or visit
Sylvan Learning.

2. Tutornationwide.com

Age: all grade levels

Subjects: math, English, language arts

Tutors: certified teachers with degrees in education

What you need: Internet connection, Windows Live Messenger, microphone

Cost: approximately $10-20 per hour

 

For more information visit Tutornationwide.

 

3. Brainmass.com

Allows students to post homework questions or submit an essay to be critiqued. Responses will be received from anywhere between six hours and five days.

Age: all ages

 

Subjects: 45 levels of study including economics, history, English and math

Tutors: graduate level students, teachers and professionals

What you need: Internet connection

 

Cost: rates start at $4 per question

For more information visit Brainmass.

4. Mathonlinetutor

Age: Grades 2 though 12

 

Subjects: math

Tutors: paraprofessionals and professional tutors

What you need: Internet Connection, Windows 2000 XP

Cost: about $100 for a graphic tablet, approximately $20-40 per hour

For more information visit Mathonlinetutor.com

5. Ask a Teacher from the Independent Learning Centre

Available: Sunday to Thursday from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. EST

Age: open to all Ontario high school students

Subjects: any topic within the Ontario high school curriculum

Tutors: certified teachers

What you need: Internet connection

Cost: free to Ontario students

For more information visit Independent Learning Centre.

 

6. Mytutor.ca

Age: elementary to university level

Subjects: biology, math, reading, sciences, computers, chemistry, business

Tutors: experienced online tutors

 

What you need: Internet connection, a PC purchased within the last three years

Cost: $25 per month, hourly rate of the online tutor you choose, plus the cost of a web cam and microphone

For more information visit Mytutor.ca.

7. TuitionMart

 

Age: elementary school to high school

Subjects: math, science, reading, writing, computers

 

Tutors: certified teachers

What you need: Internet connection, microphone, web cam, Messenger service

Cost: approximately $10 per hour

For more information visit TuitionMart.

 

8. LearnNowBC

Available: Sunday through Thursday from 7pm to 9pm

Age: open to all British Columbia students Grades 10-12

Subjects: math, science, social studies

Tutors: Certified teachers

What you need: Internet connection

Cost: free

For more information visit LearnNowBC.gov.bc.ca

9. TutorVista.com

Age: all ages

 

Subjects: math, history, science, geography, English

 

Tutors: 5-10 years of education experience

 

What you need: Internet connection

Cost: Approximately $20 per hour or $100 a month

For more information visit TutorVista.com.