Online Tutoring Cheat Sheet

The core ideas of Online Tutoring distilled into a single, scannable reference — perfect for review or quick lookup.

PiqCue — piqcue.com/online-tutoring/cheatsheet

Quick Reference

Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Tutoring

Synchronous tutoring occurs in real time through live video, audio, or chat sessions where tutor and student interact simultaneously. Asynchronous tutoring involves pre-recorded lessons, written feedback, or discussion boards where communication happens with a time delay.

Scaffolding

An instructional technique where the tutor provides temporary support structures to help students accomplish tasks they cannot yet perform independently, gradually removing support as competence grows.

Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)

Vygotsky's concept describing the gap between what a learner can do independently and what they can achieve with guidance from a more knowledgeable other, such as a tutor.

Formative Assessment

Ongoing evaluation methods used during instruction to monitor student learning, identify misconceptions, and adjust teaching strategies in real time, as opposed to summative assessments given at the end of a unit.

Differentiated Instruction

The practice of tailoring teaching methods, content, and pace to accommodate individual students' learning styles, readiness levels, and interests rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.

Cognitive Load Theory

A framework proposing that working memory has limited capacity, and instruction should be designed to minimize extraneous cognitive load while optimizing intrinsic and germane load to facilitate learning.

Retrieval Practice

A learning strategy where students actively recall information from memory rather than passively re-reading or re-watching material, which has been shown to strengthen long-term retention.

Spaced Repetition

A study technique where review sessions are spread out over increasing intervals of time to exploit the psychological spacing effect, which enhances long-term memory consolidation.

Learning Management System (LMS)

A software platform used to create, deliver, manage, and track educational content and student progress, often serving as the central hub for online tutoring operations.

Rapport Building in Virtual Settings

The deliberate process of establishing trust, warmth, and mutual respect between tutor and student through a digital medium, which is essential for student motivation and engagement in online learning.

Key Terms at a Glance

Active Learning:Instructional methods that engage students in the learning process through activities and discussion rather than passive listening.

Adaptive Learning:Technology-driven instruction that adjusts content and pacing based on individual student performance data.

Asynchronous Learning:Education that does not occur in real time, allowing students to access content and complete work on their own schedule.

Bloom's Taxonomy:A hierarchical classification of cognitive learning objectives: Remember, Understand, Apply, Analyze, Evaluate, Create.

Breakout Rooms:Virtual sub-rooms within a video conferencing platform that allow small-group work during larger online sessions.

Cancellation Policy:A tutor's stated rules regarding session cancellations, including required notice periods and any associated fees.

Cognitive Load:The total amount of mental effort being used in working memory during learning, which must be managed for effective instruction.

Differentiated Instruction:Adapting teaching methods, materials, and assessments to meet individual student needs and learning preferences.

Digital Whiteboard:An interactive online tool that allows writing, drawing, and annotating in real time, used for collaborative visual instruction.

Flipped Classroom:A model where students review instructional content before the session so live time is used for active practice and discussion.

Formative Assessment:Ongoing evaluation during instruction to check understanding and guide teaching adjustments in real time.

Growth Mindset:The belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work, as opposed to being fixed traits.

Learning Objectives:Clear statements describing what a student should know or be able to do by the end of a tutoring session or course.

Learning Style:An individual's preferred way of absorbing and processing information, such as visual, auditory, reading/writing, or kinesthetic.

Metacognition:Awareness and understanding of one's own thought processes, including the ability to plan, monitor, and evaluate one's learning.

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