Be Different: Create an Outdoor Classroom

The benefits of private tutoring are undisputed. In fact, as the world more readily embraces the concept of differentiated education, home-based tuition is growing in popularity.

Regardless of the subject or level of tuition required, most lessons can be taught at either the student's or the teacher’s home. But for whatever reason, sometimes the home is not suitable. Or, sometimes, there are just more inventive and interesting places to learn. Private tutoring classes allow for this flexibility so who’s to say that public places to tutor are unsuitable?

Most rural South Africans are not unused to outdoor classroom scenes where a teacher and a group of students make themselves comfortable under the shade of a tree. The truth is that private tutoring classes can be given anywhere. And in fact, sometimes reframing a lesson by changing the location can help to make the content more memorable.

Give the pupils something to do, not something to learn; and the doing is of such a nature as to demand thinking; learning naturally results. John Dewey

It need not be under the shade of a tree!

Private tutoring classes can really be given in so many cool places. The thing that matters the most is that both the tutor and student feel comfortable and inspired! Find out more about cooperative learning.

While the benefits of outdoor activities for students are undisputed, there are great indoor public places to tutor too. One example is the library.

While the concept is called home tuition, there is nothing to stop a tutor from giving private tutoring classes in all kinds of venues. Educators are also no strangers to excursions and the benefits of outdoor activities for students are also well known.

Private tutoring classes should aim to do more than simply impart knowledge. A good tutor knows that building academic confidence and teaching learning skills in any given subject is equally important. Good tutors know that showing a child or adult how to learn something new according to their unique learning preference is also a massive contributor to their achievement.

Whether they are helping a student to prepare for a mathematics exam, or teaching them how to write an essay, good tutors carefully plan their lessons according to what works best for the student. This includes the location and certainly does not exclude public places to tutor or the serenity of an outdoor classroom.

Private Tutoring Classes: What About Outdoors Education?

Private tutoring classes have the advantage of being able to be given from just about anywhere. Whether it’s maths, music or languages, there are options to teach at the tutor’s home, students home or even create an outdoor classroom.

Whether a tutor is teaching primary or high school students, homes are usually the most popular location for private tutoring. Having said this, it is always good not become too comfortable, but instead to remember the benefits of outdoor activities for students to keep things interesting. Students tend to get bored easily which is why tutors should think out of the box even if it means introducing some outdoors education into the mix.

There could be other reasons for deciding on an outdoor classroom or seeking suitable public places to tutor. Some of these could include:

• The family is in the process of moving
• Renovations at home
• Changes to living arrangements
• Needing privacy from roommates or a large family
• Inquisitive pets

The list goes on. In fact, there are many reasons why teaching at home is not feasible, but none of these should put a potential tutor off from offering their services.

Again, don’t underestimate the value of outdoor education, especially in South Africa where the climate is well suited to the benefits of outdoor activities for students.  Whether it is by choice, or as an emergency solution, setting up outdoors education programmes can be extremely enjoyable and effective.

Alternative Locations to Offer Private Tutoring

As mentioned, the obvious place to offer private tutorials is the home, but there are many more options to keep things interesting.

The main thing is that the location lends itself to effective learning and is not a distraction. This can be a fine balance. For instance, a café could be an excellent idea, however not every café. Here are a few other suggestions for public places to tutor.

• A library
• Parks and gardens
• Empty classrooms of a school or university
• A picnic or field area
• Co-working hubs

Of course, there are many other places to offer private lessons. The most important thing is to remember the end goal which is about building a good teacher-student relationship, transferring knowledge and enabling learning skills.

The Pros and Cons of Teaching Outside 

When it comes to teaching outside, the phrase ‘weather dependent’ springs to mind. Of course, that is an obvious consideration but there are other pros and cons to offering lessons outside too.

The Pros

Offering private tutorials outside of the house means that those regular distractions become minimised. These can be pets, roommates, siblings, and even things like telephones, deliveries and noisy household appliances.

Even though an alternative venue might not be free of distraction, removing the known, everyday distractions will be useful. Besides this, new environments can actually bolster concentration ability too.

The Cons

Offering classes outside of the home environment also has teaching disadvantages. Firstly, when teaching in a public place, there is the danger of not being able to shut off from the outside world. This can distract students and make it harder for them to learn. Having said this being in a calm environment might not make any difference to some teachers and students.

Regardless of whether it is a once off lesson, maths class or intensive group class, a good tutor needs to make sure that outside distractions that are outside of their control don’t allow a loss of focus or patience.

In a home environment, a tutor has more control over their environment and ultimately their way of teaching too. Outside of home, tutorials can be affected by public opening hours or the weather.

In the same way, singing, music, chemistry and physics are not the easiest subjects to teach outside. Tutors should consider the process and outcome of the lesson before leaping into a novel idea of teaching outside.

Also, some subjects require a lot of equipment and this can make it impractical to continuously change locations. For instance, piano or guitar tutorials will require the presence of an instrument which will probably not be well received in a public place like a café or library.

Follow these helpful guidelines for choosing locations for offering lessons!

Art is one of those subjects that are well suited to being taught outside. For example, students could study landscapes and sketch or photograph references for bigger paintings that could be completed in a studio.

Humanities and language subjects are also good options for teaching in public spaces which normally require that the student and tutor talk to one another and don’t need a lot of equipment.   

So, in conclusion, is it possible for tutors to offer lessons outside of the home?

Of course it is!

Even though the home is generally seen as the ideal spot for offering private tutorials, keep in mind that teaching outside is not only possible, but that in some cases it can be truly effective. Often, a simple change of scenery is all it takes to keep a mind engaged and motivated.

Homes and outdoor spaces are not the only places well suited to private lessons. The online space has exploded in popularity as a place of learning. All that is required for a tutor and student to meet in this space is a computer, internet connection, webcam and microphone.

So whether it’s grammar, economics or geometry, why not work flexible hours and save time and money on transport by becoming a private tutor in the online space? Choosing this route allows tutors to offer more affordable options to students too.