In the age of COVID-19, virtual communication has become a common tool to stay connected with others. Godwin students have utilized this tool by participating in online school and tutoring.

Numerous honor societies and student organizations have been assisting in virtual tutoring. Godwin senior Jefin Jose, one of the co-presidents of Godwin’s Spanish Honor Society said, “We began our Spanish tutoring program on the [Nov. 23, 2020].”

Online tutoring allows Godwin students to come up with solutions to the virtual environment. Being able to meet online, allows for more flexibility with people’s schedules. 

“A virtual tutor is likely able to help you at any time outside of school,” said Jose. 

While the effectiveness of virtual tutoring may be questionable to people who are accustomed to in-person, the tutors attempt to create a safe and comfortable space for their tutees to make a productive learning environment. 

According to Jose, tutors recreate the style of in-person tutoring. 

“Explaining the content virtually is similar in style to when you are tutoring in-person,” said Jose. 

The student and teacher organizers agree that any type of tutoring is beneficial as long as the tutor and tutee work together. They believe that virtual tutoring is a viable way to get help. 

Godwin science teacher and sponsor of the Science Honor Society Samantha Cope said, “I think any kind of additional review of the material is helpful to the students. It may not be as easy or as personable as in-person tutoring but if the student is willing to listen and the tutor is willing to explain, it should help regardless if it is in-person or virtual.”

Tutors and tutees believe that when people have received in-person tutoring before, adjusting to virtual tutoring should not be too difficult. 

Jose said, “I imagine that students are used to virtual tutoring if they have been able to receive it until now, and it is likely just as helpful as in-person tutoring.”

While virtual tutoring differs from in-person in many ways, organizers have tried to make it as similar and accessible as possible.

Godwin senior and Spanish Honor Society tutor Allyson Wang said, “Tutoring virtually has been fairly easy. I am more of a paper person, so explaining conjugations and sentence structure, for example, were a bit of a struggle through a virtual platform.”

Wang reflected on her tutoring experience when asked about how easy it was to communicate with one another. 

“Our conversations went pretty smoothly because we could still see each other’s faces and made sure to clarify questions/answers if one of us got confused,” said Wang. 

Wang worked alongside Alison Woolstenhulme, a Godwin freshman, who believed that virtual tutoring helped her expand her knowledge. 

When asked about her experience as a tutee, Woolstenhulme said, “I have definitely benefited! My speaking noticeabl[y] improved within the hour [my tutor] worked with me!”

Throughout the online school year, Godwin students have reached out to help their fellow peers through virtual tutoring programs. Many honor societies plan on continuing their virtual tutoring programs through the rest of the school year.