The Proliferation of the Tutoring Industry and Bad Learning Methods
“The pressure to excel academically can take a significant toll on students' mental health. The high expectations associated with tutoring can lead to increased stress and anxiety, particularly for students who already struggle academically.”
Tutoring has long been heralded as a solution to educational challenges, offering personalised instruction to help students excel. However, the rapid growth of the tutoring industry raises concerns about its effectiveness and the learning methods it promotes. As an experienced Year 6 teacher with extensive research into various learning methodologies, I aim to explore the problems associated with the burgeoning tutoring sector and why some of its prevalent learning methods may be detrimental. This article examines the effectiveness of tutoring, the socio-economic implications, and the psychological effects on students, supported by scientific research.
The Effectiveness of Tutoring
Individualised Attention vs. Classroom Learning
Tutoring is often praised for its ability to provide individualized attention, which is difficult to achieve in a classroom setting. Research has shown that one-on-one instruction can lead to significant improvements in student performance, particularly in subjects like mathematics and reading (Bloom, 1984). However, these benefits are not universal.
A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that while tutoring can boost academic achievement, the quality and consistency of tutors vary widely (Lavy & Schlosser, 2005). Effective tutoring requires highly skilled tutors who can adapt their teaching methods to the individual needs of the student, a standard that is not always met.
The Pitfalls of Rote Learning
Many tutoring programs rely heavily on rote learning, emphasising memorisation over understanding. While this approach can lead to short-term gains in test scores, it does not foster deep comprehension or critical thinking skills. A study published in the Journal of Educational Psychology found that students who engaged primarily in rote learning struggled to apply their knowledge in new contexts, limiting their long-term academic growth (Gordon, Morgan, Ponticell, & O’Malley, 2004).
Ebbinghaus’ Forgetting Curve
Hermann Ebbinghaus’ research on the forgetting curve illustrates a critical flaw in traditional tutoring methods that focus on short-term memorisation. Ebbinghaus discovered that information retention decreases exponentially over time without reinforcement (Ebbinghaus, 1885). This means that students who cram for exams under the guidance of tutors are likely to forget much of what they learned shortly after the lesson. This transient grasp of knowledge does not contribute to long-term learning or understanding, highlighting the need for teaching methods that incorporate regular review and application of concepts to combat forgetting.
Socio-Economic Implications
The Widening Achievement Gap
One of the most significant problems with the proliferation of tutoring is its potential to widen the achievement gap between socio-economic groups. Affluent families are more likely to afford private tutors, giving their children an academic edge over their less affluent peers. According to a report by The Sutton Trust, 34% of children from wealthier families receive private tutoring compared to only 20% from lower-income families (Sutton Trust, 2017).
This disparity exacerbates educational inequalities, as students from disadvantaged backgrounds are less likely to access the same level of academic support. Consequently, the gap between high and low achievers widens, leading to long-term socio-economic consequences. With a cost of living crisis and VAT being applied to school fees, potentially leading to parents pushing their children into state schools but with extracurricular support to compensate, the price of tutoring is likely to increase and so too will this achievement gap.
Market Saturation and Quality Control
The tutoring market has seen exponential growth, particularly in areas where competition for top school placements is fierce. However, this rapid expansion has led to concerns about quality control. The lack of standardised training and certification for tutors means that the quality of tutoring can be inconsistent, with some students receiving subpar instruction.
A study by the Education Endowment Foundation highlighted the variability in tutoring quality, noting that while some tutors were highly effective, others lacked the necessary skills and knowledge to provide meaningful support (EEF, 2018). As the demand for tutors continues to rise, the market is likely to become increasingly saturated, making it more difficult for parents to discern high-quality tutors from less effective ones.
Psychological Effects on Students
Increased Pressure and Anxiety
The pressure to excel academically can take a significant toll on students' mental health. The high expectations associated with tutoring can lead to increased stress and anxiety, particularly for students who already struggle academically. A study by the American Psychological Association found that students who received tutoring reported higher levels of stress and anxiety compared to their peers who did not receive additional instruction (APA, 2017).
This heightened pressure can have detrimental effects on students' overall wellbeing and can lead to burnout, diminishing the potential benefits of tutoring. Additionally, the emphasis on academic performance can overshadow the importance of holistic development, including social skills, creativity, and emotional intelligence.
Dependency and Reduced Self-Efficacy
Another psychological consequence of tutoring is the potential for students to become overly dependent on their tutors. This reliance can undermine their self-efficacy, or belief in their ability to succeed independently. Bandura's theory of self-efficacy posits that individuals' belief in their capabilities is crucial for motivation and achievement (Bandura, 1997).
When students rely heavily on tutors for academic success, they may struggle to develop the confidence and skills necessary to tackle challenges on their own. This dependency can hinder their ability to become autonomous learners, ultimately affecting their long-term academic and personal growth.
Potential Solutions
Enhancing In-School Support
To address the issues associated with tutoring, it is essential to enhance in-school support systems. Schools can provide targeted interventions for students who need additional help, ensuring that all students have access to high-quality instruction regardless of their socio-economic background. Introducing Tutorless in schools, with our focus on positive wellbeing and science-backed learning techniques, can be effective alternative to introducing conventional tutoring support. You can learn more here: https://www.tutorless.co.uk/schools
A study by the RAND Corporation found that school-based interventions, such as extended learning time and targeted support, significantly improved student outcomes without the negative side effects associated with private tutoring (McCombs et al., 2011). By investing in school resources, we can create a more equitable and effective educational environment.
Regulating the Tutoring Industry
Implementing regulations and standards for the tutoring industry can help ensure the quality and consistency of tutoring services. Establishing certification programs for tutors and requiring background checks can help maintain high standards and protect students from unqualified instructors. Unlike many tutoring companies, Tutorless is powered by UK-qualified teachers with real classroom experience. Our educators understand the nuance of the learning process and can identify the pitfalls that students often encounter.
The government and educational authorities can also play a role in monitoring and regulating the industry, ensuring that tutoring services complement rather than replace the efforts of schools. By creating a framework for accountability, we can mitigate the negative impacts of the tutoring market's rapid expansion.
Promoting a Holistic Approach to Education
Ultimately, addressing the problems with tutoring requires a shift in how we approach education. Instead of focusing solely on academic performance, we need to adopt a holistic approach that values social, emotional, and cognitive development. Encouraging a growth mindset, fostering resilience, and promoting a love for learning are crucial components of a well-rounded education. That’s why our little-and-often approach, designed to combat the a mental model that tends to forget most of what we’ve been taught, has been key to the positive feedback we receive from parents and students alike. Our 15-minute assessments don’t impede on a student’s schedule and so they don’t resent having to do the work, whereas conventional tutoring is likely to dampen their love of learning.
A study by the Harvard Graduate School of Education emphasised the importance of holistic education, noting that students who receive support for their emotional and social development are more likely to succeed academically and in life (Jones & Kahn, 2017). By prioritizing holistic education, we can reduce the reliance on tutoring and create a more supportive and enriching learning environment for all students.
Conclusion
While tutoring can provide short-term academic benefits, its proliferation and reliance on ineffective learning methods present significant problems. The issues of unequal access, quality control, and the psychological effects on students suggest that tutoring is not a sustainable solution to educational challenges. As the demand for tutoring continues to rise, these problems are likely to worsen, further exacerbating educational inequalities and undermining students' overall wellbeing.
That’s where we come in. Tutorless has been designed with affordability in mind with solutions starting from just £15 per month. This gives even more children access to the extracurricular support that’ll see the chance of their academic success grow. The way we do this though means not only are they using more effective ways of learning, but their mental wellbeing is retained too. If you’re a parent looking to support your child on their academic journey then give them the gift of a Tutorless experience.
Learn more at https://www.tutorless.co.uk
References
American Psychological Association. (2017). The impact of stress on student academic performance. Journal of Educational Psychology.
Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. W.H. Freeman.
Bloom, B. S. (1984). The 2 sigma problem: The search for methods of group instruction as effective as one-to-one tutoring. Educational Researcher, 13(6), 4-16.
Bray, M. (2020). Shadow Education: Private Supplementary Tutoring and Its Implications for Policy Makers in Asia. Asian Development Bank.
Education Endowment Foundation. (2018). The impact of teaching assistants and other adults on student outcomes. EEF Report.
Gordon, E. E., Morgan, R. R., Ponticell, J. A., & O’Malley, C. J. (2004). Tutoring solutions for No Child Left Behind: Research, practice, and policy implications. Journal of Educational Psychology.
Jones, S. M., & Kahn, J. (2017). The evidence base for how we learn: Supporting students' social, emotional, and academic development. The Aspen Institute.
Lavy, V., & Schlosser, A. (2005). Targeted remedial education for underperforming teenagers: Costs and benefits. National Bureau of Economic Research.
McCombs, J. S., Augustine, Ce Tutoring Industry and Bad Learning Methods