Getting the Most Out of Your Child’s Tutoring Sessions

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Your child’s tutoring sessions take place inside the Varsity Tutors Live Learning Platform (LLP2) — a purpose-built online learning environment designed to make every session feel focused, interactive, and productive. Before your child’s first session, take a few minutes to explore what the platform offers. The more familiar you both are with the tools available, the more your child can focus on learning.

What to Expect Inside a Session

When your child joins a tutoring session, they’ll enter a shared online classroom with their tutor. Every session is structured to feel like real instruction — not just a video call.

The platform brings together live video, a shared workspace, and interactive tools all in one screen — so the tutor can teach, demonstrate, and guide practice without switching between apps.

In-Session Features: What They Do & How to Use Them

Each tool in the platform serves a purpose. Here’s what your child will encounter and why it helps.

🎥 Live Video Instruction

What it is

The tutor and student see and hear each other in real time throughout the session — just like being in the same room.

Best practices for your child

Make sure your child is in a quiet space with a stable internet connection before joining.
A working camera and microphone make a big difference — tutors build stronger relationships when they can see and hear their students.
Headphones can help reduce background noise and keep your child focused.

✏️ Collaborative Whiteboard

What it is

A shared digital workspace where the tutor and student can write, draw, solve problems, and work through concepts together in real time.

Best practices for your child

Encourage your child to use the whiteboard actively — writing out steps (not just watching) reinforces learning.
For math or science sessions, the whiteboard is especially valuable for showing work. Remind your child to write out their thinking, not just the answer.
Your child can ask their tutor to slow down and work through a problem on the whiteboard together if something isn’t clicking.

🖥️ Screen Sharing & File / PDF Sharing

What it is

Either the tutor or student can share their screen — or upload a file or PDF — so both can see the same content at the same time. This is great for reviewing homework, classwork, or any document your child is working on.

Best practices for your child

Before a session, have your child pull up any relevant homework, assignment, or class notes so they’re ready to share.
If your child wants the tutor to review a specific problem or document, they can upload it directly — no need to hold it up to the camera!
Tutors may also share study materials or practice problems through this tool during the session.

💬 Chat & Reactions

What it is

A text chat panel and a set of quick reactions (like a thumbs up or emoji responses) that allow students to communicate without interrupting the lesson flow.

Best practices for your child

Chat is great for students who are a little shy about speaking up — they can type a question or comment and the tutor will see it.
Reactions are a quick way to signal understanding. Tutors may ask, “Does that make sense?” and students can respond with a thumbs up without breaking concentration.
Remind your child that chat is for learning — keeping messages focused on the session keeps things productive.

🙋 Hand Raise & Polls

What it is

Students can digitally raise their hand to signal they have a question or need help. Tutors may also launch quick polls to check understanding — similar to a mini quiz during the session.

Best practices for your child

Encourage your child to use the hand raise feature — it’s there specifically so they don’t have to feel awkward interrupting.
When a poll appears, your child should answer honestly. Poll responses help the tutor understand where to spend more time, so there’s no pressure to get it “right.”

📝 Session Notes & Exit Tickets

What it is

At the end of each session, the tutor captures notes about what was covered and what to focus on next. Exit tickets are short check-in prompts — a few quick questions — to confirm what your child learned before the session closes.

Best practices for your child

Remind your child not to close out of the session too quickly — exit tickets only take a minute and help tutors personalize the next session.
As a parent, you can review session notes after the session ends to stay informed on what was covered and what’s coming up next.

🤖 AI-Powered Learning Tools

What it is

LLP2 includes built-in AI tools that support the tutor during your child’s session. These tools work in the background to help the tutor give better, faster explanations — including real-time answer verification, alternative ways to explain a concept, and live session notes.

Best practices for your child

Your child’s tutor can instantly verify whether an answer is correct and explain why — without any delay.
If a concept isn’t clicking, the AI tools surface multiple ways to explain it so the tutor can try a different approach in the moment.
Live notes are captured automatically, so the tutor can stay fully focused on teaching rather than writing things down.

Quick Reference: Feature Summary

Feature	What It Does	Tip for Parents
Live Video	Real-time face-to-face session with tutor	Set up a quiet space with camera + mic before first session
Collaborative Whiteboard	Shared workspace to write, draw, and problem-solve together	Encourage active participation — writing reinforces learning
Screen Sharing / File Upload	Share homework, documents, or content in real time	Have assignments ready before the session starts
Chat & Reactions	Text-based questions and quick emoji responses	Great for quieter students — a low-pressure way to ask questions
Hand Raise & Polls	Signal for help; check-in questions from the tutor	Encourage honest poll answers — helps the tutor adjust in real time
Session Notes & Exit Tickets	End-of-session recap and quick comprehension check	Don't exit too early — exit tickets take just a minute
AI-Powered Tools	Supports the tutor with answer verification, explanations, and live notes	No action needed — these work in the background to support the tutor

Best Practices for a Successful Tutoring Experience

These tips — drawn from Varsity Tutors for Schools guidance for 1:1 virtual tutoring — will help your child get the most out of every session.

SETTING UP FOR SUCCESS

Create a dedicated learning space: Set up a quiet, organized area specifically for tutoring with good lighting and minimal distractions. A consistent spot helps your child mentally “switch on” for learning.
Establish a routine: Schedule regular tutoring sessions at the same time each week. Consistency builds habits — and habits build results.
Ensure reliable technology: Before sessions begin, test your child’s computer, camera, microphone, and internet connection. Have a backup plan ready (e.g., a phone hotspot) in case of technical difficulties.
Limit distractions: Turn off notifications on devices during tutoring and keep other electronics out of reach unless needed for the session.
Log in a few minutes early: The platform has a waiting room — logging in 2–3 minutes early avoids any first-session jitters and gives your child time to settle in.

BEFORE & DURING SESSIONS

Communicate expectations: Discuss goals and objectives with the tutor before sessions begin. The more context the tutor has, the more personalized each session will be.
Support the tutor: Share any relevant information about your child’s learning style, needs, or areas of difficulty. Communicate openly about progress or concerns as they come up.
Gather materials: If your child has homework or classwork to discuss, have it open or ready to upload before the session begins.
Monitor engagement: Occasionally check in during sessions (without interrupting) to ensure your child is focused and on track.
Encourage independence: Allow your child to take charge of their learning when appropriate. Encourage them to ask questions, try problems on their own first, and express their thoughts to the tutor.

AFTER SESSIONS

Follow up after sessions: Review what was learned with your child and discuss any homework or tasks assigned by the tutor. Even a two-minute conversation goes a long way.
Check in regularly: Talk to your child about their tutoring experience and how they’re feeling about it. Gather their feedback — sessions should feel effective and enjoyable.
Stay informed: Stay updated on your child’s progress and areas for improvement. Engage with the tutor regularly to discuss strategies that are working.
Provide resources: Share any relevant materials, books, or online resources that may support learning between sessions. Encourage the use of educational apps or websites for additional practice.

ONGOING MINDSET

Create a positive environment: Celebrate achievements, no matter how small. Encourage a growth mindset by emphasizing effort and improvement over perfection.
Be flexible: Be open to adjusting schedules or methods if something isn’t working. Allow for breaks if your child seems overwhelmed or fatigued — learning takes energy!

💡 Parent tip: After your child’s first session, take two minutes to ask them what they worked on and what tools they used. This small habit builds accountability and helps you stay connected to their progress — even if you weren’t in the room.

Have questions about the platform or your child’s program? Contact your district’s program coordinator or reach out to the Varsity Tutors for Schools support team. Additional how-to guides are available in our Help Center.