Ask the experts: Simply Learning Tuition on e-learning tools

Nathaniel McCullagh, Managing Director of Simply Learning Tuition, discusses the uses of e-learning platforms and traditional tutoring

Q: My son’s school use an e-learning platform in class and for homework. A lot of his friends are using it to prepare for the 11+. Should I get my son a subscription and is there anything a traditional tutor can do that software can’t?

A: Over the last five years, we have seen the rapid proliferation of e-learning platforms. These companies have deployed a smart sales strategy which begins with selling their products into schools. The software saves time-pressed teachers from having to set and mark work themselves and provides instant and standardised feedback on each child’s performance. Once the platform is integrated, parents are encouraged to buy a subscription for home use.

Some senior schools even use the software to set their 11+ assessments, as they are easier to manage than traditional tests. This in turn allows the platform to market official test prep materials to parents and prep schools alike. In truth, there are several benefits to e-learning tools. They are designed to be engaging, with gamified assessments. Compared with scheduling lessons with a tutor, e-learning is convenient and flexible – lessons can be accessed anytime, anywhere, fitting into tight schedules.

Many platforms offer specific 11+ prep programmes which simulate the exam environment with timed papers and realistic questions. If your son is applying to a school which uses a computerised assessment, practising on the same platform will help familiarise him with the exam format, reducing anxiety on the day.

“E-learning platforms cannot diagnose why a child is struggling – this is where tutoring has the upper hand”

However, while e-learning platforms are excellent tools, they are not a panacea. They can identify where a child is struggling but they cannot diagnose why. This is where traditional tutoring has the upper hand. Children can certainly practise on an e-learning platform, but are they learning as they would with a tutor? A skilled tutor observes how their tutee thinks, knowing from experience whether they have learned the right answer by rote, or whether they have a deep understanding of every step of the solution.

Tutors also offer encouragement and moral support, which can be crucial for a child facing the pressure of exams. A tutor can also be a mentor, inspiring a love for learning and a deeper understanding of subjects which surpasses rote memorisation. Naturally, many parents keep their eyes on the prize of passing the 11+, but a good tutor will set your son up with the personal and academic skills to thrive at senior school and many years into the future.

We recommend that parents take advantage of the benefits that e-learning offers, but do not rely on it entirely. The subscription could be a worthwhile investment for practice and exam-format familiarisation, but it cannot replace the bespoke attention and expertise offered by a traditional tutor. A combination of both might be the key to unlocking your son’s potential as he prepares for the 11+.

Simply Learning Tuition simplylearningtuition.co.uk

Further reading: Teen Tips on supporting a child through a tricky patch