InstaEDU Brings Tutoring Services Online

Over the years, the Internet has become a source of alternative methods of education, making information readily available. InstaEDU, an online tutoring service launched publicly in May of last year, makes virtual education even more accessible by adding a human element.

Launched by three Stanford University graduates, the service aims to connect students of all ages to “provide an online tutoring platform where students in need can instantly connect with available tutors from top universities.”  Their goal is “to make sure that every student has access to personal academic support whenever they need it,” in hopes that help is available more quickly to students struggling in any subject.

There are currently 1,500 tutors that work for InstaEDU, many of whom are Middlebury students, with over 400 tutors online at any time. Alison Johnston, one of the founders of the program, believes that having a tutoring service online makes the education process easier and more practical for students of all ages

“InstaEDU offers a wider variety of tutors to you,” said Johnston. “It could be pretty hard to find someone to help you with advanced chemical engineering, but online you are not limited by location.”

The program is designed to work for all levels of students — from elementary to college levels — by matching students at their moment of need. A user signs on to search for tutors in a variety of subjects and then connects to chat through Facebook or Gchat. If a tutor is online and receives a notification that a student is in need of help, they either ignore the message or click the link if they are available.

Since the launch of the program, Johnston says that they have learned more about the online tutoring process, and they have developed the website to make the program fit the demands of its users.

“[We have learned] that people want continued relationships, and that our functionality is core feature,” said Johnston. “Everyone has last-minute needs, so we changed to have our tutors connect with people personally.”

In addition to providing tutors knowledgeable in a vast array of subjects, Johnston believes that the format of InstaEDU meshes well with tutors living the college lifestyle. Because the tutors have hectic and varied schedules, the online functionality allows them to work when they are available, rather than at a specific time. Johnston also mentioned that college students often make the best tutors, as they are enthusiastic and usually in need of money.

“With home tutoring, it’s expensive and there are often scheduling problems,” said Johnston. “A lot of students don’t need a strict tutoring schedule, but everyone has moments where they run into trouble. Our tutors can help at 11 p.m. when they run into issues with a problem set.”

InstaEDU currently employs Nate Beatty ’13.5. Beatty has always been interested in tutoring, but could never commit the time required for traditional tutoring.

“InstaEDU gives me an opportunity to help others learn and understand physics and math on my own time,” said Beatty. “It fits perfectly with my passion for the subject, my desire to teach and help others find that passion, and my crazy Middlebury schedule.”

Beatty believes InstaEDU to be a good initiative but also understands that online education has its downfalls when compared to face-to-face interactions.

“Honestly, I don’t think anything will ever replace face-to-face tutoring,” said Beatty. “Questions are easier to ask and explanations more easily given when both the tutor and the student have access to models, a pencil and paper or a chalkboard. But if it’s the night before an exam, turning to help from a real person online could be a better option than soldiering through pages of a textbook for hours.”

Beatty is one of many Middlebury and NESCAC students that InstaEDU employs. Johnston says that the program is always recruiting tutors from top colleges and universities, and that they are currently looking to expand both by number of users and tutors.