Raising Your Game: Tips for Tutors in the 21st Century
GATE Academy
-Sep 23, 2025
Tutoring in 2025 is not what it was ten years ago. Today’s learners are digital natives, they learn differently, expect more interaction, and respond better when lessons feel dynamic. It is important that every tutor delivers not just lessons, but engaging learning experiences. Here are some practical tips and resources to help you raise your game.
1. Conducting Effective Online Classes
- Always test your tech (mic, camera, internet) before class.
- Use screen-sharing, whiteboards (like Jamboard or Miro), and interactive quizzes (Kahoot, Quizizz) to make sessions more engaging.
- Keep your background distraction-free and professional.
2. Keeping Students Engaged
- Break lessons into short segments (10–15 minutes) with quick activities or questions.
- Encourage active participation by asking open-ended questions.
- Use real-world examples to connect abstract topics to students’ lives.
3. 21st Century Classroom Guidance
Today’s classroom, whether online or in-person, emphasizes critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and communication. Tutors should focus on helping students apply knowledge, not just memorize facts. That means including problem-solving activities, project-based tasks, and encouraging students to explain their reasoning.
4. Invest in Professional Growth
To stay sharp, tutors should keep learning themselves. Here are a few excellent professional courses and resources:
- Coursera: Foundations of Teaching for Learning coursera.org
- EdX: Online Teaching and Learning in the 21st Century edx.org
- British Council: Teaching English Online teachingenglish.org.uk
- FutureLearn: How to Teach Online futurelearn.com
Great tutors are always learning. By mastering online teaching tools, focusing on engagement, and investing in professional growth, you can deliver lessons that make a lasting impact. At GATE Academy, we believe better tutors create better outcomes, and together we can raise the standard of learning.