2023 Feb 26:1–13. Online ahead of print. doi: 10.1007/s12564-023-09831-7

Table 7.

Evaluation of online tutoring during ERT&L

Advantages of online PT during ERT&L	Disadvantages of online PT during ERT&L
More convenient I attended both online and offline tutoring during the COVID-19. I preferred online as I saved time and did not need to write down what was on the board. We could revisit the material easily as the sessions were recorded…We carried out more activities in online tutoring sessions. (Student 11, University A) The tutors prepared presentations and video tutorials in advance. The sessions were efficient. Online tutoring gave us flexibility, so I could attend all the sessions even if I was not feeling well…It enabled me to review the recorded videos if I did not understand something or if the tutor spoke too fast. (Student 9, University A)	Lack of individual attention in online group tutoring I had online tutoring in a tutorial center for three months. It was not a positive experience because everything there was like at school. There were more than 15 students, and each demanded attention. The online sessions weren’t organized. Whenever a new student joined, the tutor repeated the material, which was a waste of time. (Student 3, University A)
It is safer Offline tutoring was unsafe due to the increasing number of positive cases of COVID-19 in Almaty at that time. Also, I was under 18 years old. Therefore, my parents encouraged me to register for online tutorial courses. (Student 12, University A) I attended online tutoring because it was safer. I also wanted to save the money previously spent on transportation. (Student 4, University B)	Lack of commitment to study In online tutoring, when I did not understand something, I could not discuss it with my peers or even get a clearer explanation from my tutor on some level. In offline sessions, I was more productive and motivated. (Student 8, University B) I preferred offline tutoring because the explanation was clearer. The tutor called us to the blackboard to complete tasks, and she checked our homework … With online tutoring, we sat at home and got tired. (Student 6, University A)
Tutors were more prepared for online teaching than schoolteachers Although everyone was skeptical about the quality of online tutoring, I found that my tutors were better prepared for online education than schoolteachers…some of my schoolteachers had difficulty using Microsoft Word and PowerPoint and mainly used WhatsApp to deliver lessons…My tutors at the tutorial center presented material properly by providing us with games, clear explanations and many examples of the UNT… online tutoring became lifesaver for students during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Student 10, University B)	Unstable internet connections Sometimes my internet is slow. Then the router needs to be restarted. While I reboot, I miss some parts of the tutorial session and could miss some information if the tutor forgot to record the session (Student 5, University A) The problem with online tutoring was that the power was sometimes turned off… At times, the internet signal was poor. (Student 1, University B)

Advantages of online PT during ERT&L

Disadvantages of online PT during ERT&L

More convenient

I attended both online and offline tutoring during the COVID-19. I preferred online as I saved time and did not need to write down what was on the board. We could revisit the material easily as the sessions were recorded…We carried out more activities in online tutoring sessions. (Student 11, University A)

The tutors prepared presentations and video tutorials in advance. The sessions were efficient. Online tutoring gave us flexibility, so I could attend all the sessions even if I was not feeling well…It enabled me to review the recorded videos if I did not understand something or if the tutor spoke too fast. (Student 9, University A)

Lack of individual attention in online group tutoring

I had online tutoring in a tutorial center for three months. It was not a positive experience because everything there was like at school. There were more than 15 students, and each demanded attention. The online sessions weren’t organized. Whenever a new student joined, the tutor repeated the material, which was a waste of time. (Student 3, University A)

It is safer

Offline tutoring was unsafe due to the increasing number of positive cases of COVID-19 in Almaty at that time. Also, I was under 18 years old. Therefore, my parents encouraged me to register for online tutorial courses. (Student 12, University A)

I attended online tutoring because it was safer. I also wanted to save the money previously spent on transportation. (Student 4, University B)

Lack of commitment to study

In online tutoring, when I did not understand something, I could not discuss it with my peers or even get a clearer explanation from my tutor on some level. In offline sessions, I was more productive and motivated. (Student 8, University B)

I preferred offline tutoring because the explanation was clearer. The tutor called us to the blackboard to complete tasks, and she checked our homework … With online tutoring, we sat at home and got tired. (Student 6, University A)

Tutors were more prepared for online teaching than schoolteachers

Although everyone was skeptical about the quality of online tutoring, I found that my tutors were better prepared for online education than schoolteachers…some of my schoolteachers had difficulty using Microsoft Word and PowerPoint and mainly used WhatsApp to deliver lessons…My tutors at the tutorial center presented material properly by providing us with games, clear explanations and many examples of the UNT… online tutoring became lifesaver for students during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Student 10, University B)

Unstable internet connections

Sometimes my internet is slow. Then the router needs to be restarted. While I reboot, I miss some parts of the tutorial session and could miss some information if the tutor forgot to record the session (Student 5, University A)

The problem with online tutoring was that the power was sometimes turned off… At times, the internet signal was poor. (Student 1, University B)