Why This Libra’s Not Afraid of Gemini
Last month, Google announced that its LLM Gemini would offer free SAT practice tests. This announcement led news outlets like Business Insider to predict the AI feedback “the latest nail in the coffin for SAT tutors.” It’s true that as a live online tutor, I’m unable to supply my students with unlimited practice problems. I also can’t offer immediate, on-demand explanations of wrong answers. Faced with the rising cost of just about everything, parents like you might be wondering, “Then why should I pay for a live online or in-person tutor when my child can get so much for free?”
In short, because live tutors online offer three essential elements of successful test prep that AI can’t yet supply:
· psycho-emotional insight into the cause of and remedy for low test scores
· cheerleading steady gains
· encouragement of flagging motivation.
In this post, I’ll use anonymous case studies from my own 35-year tutoring career to illustrate how a live online tutor can catalyze students’ growth.
Live Online Tutors Seek and Address the Psychological Roots of Low Test Scores
Yesterday, I spent the first half of my live online tutoring session with “Jane” in dialogue. Question. Response. Clarifying question. Response. I dug deeper to understand why Jane’s high-1500 practice test scores in the fall ended in a 1400 on the December SAT (before she began working with me). Our conversation resulted in several insights surrounding – and an action plan to address – Jane’s pacing, fatigue, and anxiety.
Jane doesn’t need the endless practice problems Gemini supplies. She needs an experienced live tutor to pinpoint why she fell short of her goals this winter. Like so many other students, she needs an empathetic coach to develop strategies that will enable her to achieve those goals in March.
Image by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash
A Live Online Tutor Recognizes and Praises Students’ Growth
Several years ago, “Sam” came to me as a sophomore with an 1140 PSAT score. Eighteen months later, he earned his goal of 1540 on the SAT as he headed into senior year. Along the way, I celebrated every small gain. While Sam was the little engine that could, fueled by supportive parents and internal motivation, without my encouragement, his indomitable work ethic may have flagged. Digital tools can furnish ample content review, but only a live online tutor can provide the long-term emotional support students requireto make tremendous gains.
A Live Online Tutor Spots and Holds Students Accountable for Underwhelming Effort
It usually takes me two sessions to accurately assess a student’s effort. Are they coming to the session prepared with questions on the homework? Are they completing the daily reading and vocabulary building exercises independently? Are they open to new methods of studying and solving problems? If the answer appears to be “no” to any or all of them, I’ll start by gently reminding the student of my expectations during our live online tutoring session. If I don’t see an improvement, I’ll reach out to the parents. These conversations aren’t always pleasant, but it’s part of my responsibility as a live online tutor. Parents are usually grateful, and students often change in the face of our tag-team efforts. Once again, this insight and care isn’t something AI knows how to provide (yet!).
Image by Ling App on Unsplash
Final Thoughts on Live Online Tutors vs Online Prep
Of course, there’s a place for AI in college prep, as I’ve written about before. Students can utilize AI to learn content, practice strategies, and master pacing. But to maintain motivation and develop psychologically-, biologically- and emotionally-informed strategies to overcome fatigue, anxiety, and teenaged recalcitrance, there’s nothing beating a live online tutor! So that tutor coffin in Business Insider’s article ain’t quite nailed shut yet.
About the Author
Dominique Padurano, M.S., Ed., Ph.D. – aka “Dr. P.” – loves helping students across the globe fulfill their academic and personal goals. President and Founder of Crimson Coaching, Dr. P. herself personally tutorsstudents in English, French, History, Math, Spanish, and study, time management, and organizational skills; prepares them for the SAT, ACT, GRE, ISEE, AP, and other exams as a test prep coach; and shepherds them through the college application process as a private admissions counselor and essay coach. Dr. P.’s students have earned admission to Harvard (her own alma mater), Princeton, Stanford, and other top universities, as well as scholarships – including full rides – totaling more than $2 million. Formerly an adjunct professor of U.S. History at the City University of New York, Dr. P. now teaches Historical Studies online for the State University of New York – Empire State. Read more about Dr. P.’s work at www.crimsoncoaching.com and on Google, straight from the hearts and minds of Crimson Coaching’s parents and students.
