FAQ
Student FAQs
The Flow
Requirements
- If you are a minor, a responsible adult must supervise your tutoring session.
- You must have a valid debit or credit card.
- Computer (or similar electronic device) that is preferably touch screen.
- Access to stable Internet connection.
- A stylus will be helpful.
Payment
The tutor will raise an invoice before the tutoring session. The student will pay the invoice before the tutoring session.
No. A student who makes payment outside of the platform will be removed from the platform. A tutor who receives payment outside of the platform will also be removed from the platform. In order for this platform to continue serving the Tutoring Tom community, payment needs to take place on this platform. Pay securely on this platform.
Student and Tutor: Once the student has identified the right tutor and both parties have agreed on a day and time for the tutoring session, the student will hire the tutor.
Tutor: The word “Hired” will populate on that assignment, to notify the tutor they have been hired. Beside the word “Hired” will be a “Raise Invoice” button. Upon clicking the button, the tutor will type the duration and amount of the tutoring session.
Student: The amount of the tutoring session will then populate on the student’s assignment. The student will click the button, with the amount of the tutoring session, and proceed to checkout.
Tutor: The tutor will then have a notification, on that assignment, that shows the student has paid.
Assignment
The assignment tab lists all your assignments, that you have both published and saved as drafts. Additionally, all modes of communication with the tutor for each assignment is viewable here.
Invite- If you already know the name or e-mail address of a tutor that you would like to help you, then you can search for this specific tutor. If you would like to browse through all the tutors, then you can do this as well. You can also filter your search by the hourly rate, tutor type, timezone, and spoken language.
View invited- You can view the tutors that you invited.
Proposals- Any Tutoring Tom Tutor or just the Invited Tutors, depending on the option you chose when uploaded your work, can submit their proposal. You can receive multiple proposals. In the proposal, the tutors will explain why they believe you should hire them. Following the 4-step guide (see FAQ below) will allow you to find the right tutor for you.
Messaging tutors- Once you have accepted the proposal from the tutor, a message icon will appear on your Assignment. You can now start a chatbox with that tutor.
Edit an assignment that you Saved as a Draft- Click on the three vertical dots on the top right-hand corner of the Assignment. You can edit your assignment as long as you have not published the assignment. Once you have published the assignment, you can no longer edit the assignment.
Hired and Paid-
1) Once you accept the proposal of a tutor on their profile, you will then be shown the option of clicking Hire on the Tutor’s profile.
2) Once you have determined that this tutor is right for you, click on Hire.
3) The Tutor is made aware that you hired them and will now raise an invoice.
4) You will know that the Tutor has raised an invoice because there will be an icon on the Assignment that says “Invoice”.
5) Click on the Invoice to pay the Tutor prior to your tutoring session.
6) The amount you paid, for the tutoring session, will then populate on your Assignment.
Uploading assignments
1) Login to your account
2) From your Dashboard, click Upload
3) Complete the Description. The assignment name is the general topic. The description informs the tutor of more of the specific help you would like with the uploaded assignment.
4) Choose the Expertise of the tutor.
5) Decide whether you want all tutors to view your uploaded work or only tutors you have invited.
6) Review your work then decide whether you want to Publish the work or Save as Draft. Publishing the work will either allow all tutors to view your work or only tutors you have invited to view the work, depending on what you chose. You can save the work as a draft if you are not yet ready to publish the assignment and still want to make more edits.
You can also post a new work by going to the Assignment tab. There is an option to Post a New Work on the top right corner of the page.
Finding the right tutor
There is 5-step guide that is best to follow in order to find the tutor that is right for you.
1. You can chat with the tutor via the messages.
2. You can request that the tutor uploads a video to their profile. This way you can determine how well a tutor explains concepts and if you can understand them.
3. You can request to interview them, by having the tutor send you an invite via Zoom or another communication technology such as Google Meets or Microsoft Teams.
4. You can view their competency credentials on their profile.
5. You can view their reviews.
Refunds
Students can follow the four steps to finding the right tutor to determine whether the tutor is dependable. At this time, the platform does not give a refund for tutors who do not show up. However, if this happens, you can do the following:
-Email us at [email protected]. We will review the complaint and monitor the tutor. If necessary, we will suspend or remove the tutor from the platform as we only want quality tutors.
-Ask the tutor to help you at another time.
If there are application or connection issues then it is expected that the tutoring session is rescheduled for a later time. At this time, the platform does not give a refund for tutors who do not reschedule the tutoring session. However, if this happens, you can do the following:
-Email us @ [email protected]. We will review the complaint and monitor the tutor. If necessary, we will suspend or remove the tutor from the platform as we only want quality tutors.
The Tutoring Tom tutoring model allows for the tutor to only agree to help a student if the tutor knows they can help the student, based on the work the student uploaded first. Additionally, the students can follow the five steps to finding the right tutor. Given this structure, at this time, the platform does not give a refund. If you are not satisfied with your tutoring experience, however, you can do the following:
-Email us @ [email protected]. We will review the complaint and monitor the tutor. If necessary, we will suspend or remove the tutor from the platform as we only want quality tutors.
-Ask the tutor for another session for free.
-Post a review for the tutor.
The combination of the Tutoring Tom tutoring model and the recommended five step process to find the right tutor will help safeguard against the need for a refund. Additionally, each tutor is their own independent business in the Tutoring Tom community so you must attempt to reach an agreement with the tutor first. Thus, at this time, we do not provide any refunds. However, email us at [email protected] if you have an issue that you cannot resolve with the tutor. We will review the complaint and monitor the tutor. If necessary, we will contact, suspend, or remove the tutor from the platform as we only want quality tutors.
Security, Safety, Academic honesty
At this time, all tutoring sessions must be done online. Both tutors and students agree to having tutoring sessions online in the Terms of Use, when signing up. This is done for your safety and security, especially since minors utilize this platform for tutoring services.
The Tutoring Tom platform is designed so you do not need to give out any of your personal information to the tutor. This is done for your safety and security.
Yes. The academic honesty policy of Tutoring Tom is included in the platform’s Terms of Use. The academic honesty policy is in place to protect students, tutors, and Tutoring Online Marketplace, LLC from a liability claim. If the tutor believes the student wants the tutor to do the work for them then tutors should discontinue tutoring services for this specific student. Tutors should always err on the side of caution when there is any doubt to the appearance of cheating on the platform. The tutor can report the issue to the Tutoring Tom administration team. If the academic honest policy is violated, students or tutors could have limited access or no access to the platform.
Examples of violating the academic policy can include, but are not limited to, the following:
Completing study guides or assignments on the student’s behalf, helping complete or assist in any type of an assessment (quiz, test, practice exams, “take home”, “open book,” etc.)
Tutors FAQs
The Flow
Requirements
- You must be at least 14 years old.
- You must have a Stripe account. Don’t have one? It’s easy! Details on how to create an account are located here.
- Computer (or similar electronic device) that is touch screen.
- Access to stable Internet connection.
- A stylus will be helpful.
- You must have access to a communication platform. A paid Zoom platform may be best. If you’re proficient in other platforms –such as Google Meets or Microsoft Teams– that could suffice for a successful tutoring session.
No. The student work will be uploaded first so you will be able to know if you are competent enough to help the student. However, the more information you provide about yourself, the more likely a student will hire you. Students want to hire a tutor who is competent and trustworthy.
Payment
The tutor will raise an invoice before the tutoring session. The student will pay the invoice before the tutoring session. The tutor will receive 80% of the invoice amount and other 20% will go to both the platform and payment processor.
Student and Tutor: Once the student has identified the right tutor and both parties have agreed on a day and time for the tutoring session, the student will hire the tutor.
Tutor: The word “Hired” will populate on that assignment, to notify the tutor they have been hired. Beside the word “Hired” will be a “Raise Invoice” button. Upon clicking the button, the tutor will type the duration and amount of the tutoring session.
Student: The amount of the tutoring session will then populate on the student’s assignment. The student will click the button, with the amount of the tutoring session, and proceed to checkout.
Tutor: The tutor will then have a notification, on that assignment, that shows the student has paid.
No. Each tutor is their own business. All of your earnings can be tracked on your Stripe account.
Each tutor must have a standard account with Stripe. Thus, any payment issues or disputes are handled through Stripe. For any help, go to https://support.stripe.com/ then click Contact Support, (24×7) help by our support staff. You will have the opportunity to communicate with them via email, chat, or phone call.
No. A student who makes payment outside of the platform will be removed from the platform. A tutor who receives payment outside of the platform will be removed from the platform. In order for this platform to continue serving the math community, payment needs to take place on this platform.
Stripe account
Best Practices
1. Message many students.
The more messages you send, the more likely you are to have a student hire you.
2. Include as much information as possible on your profile about your competency, character, and love for helping others learn your subject matter.
Depending on the type of tutor, you can include information such as: overall GPA, subject specific GPA, letters of recommendations, standardized test scores, AP test scores, current course you are taking, courses you have taken, books you have read, certifications, credentials, current and past jobs, experience, awards, etc.
3. Upload a video to your profile.
Students like to know how the tutor teaches before paying the tutor to help them. The tutor wants to know if the tutor is clear, articulate, friendly, and Zoom competent. Taking the time to create and upload a video to your profile, helps the student know that the tutor is serious about tutoring on this platform.
4. Be open to talking with the student on Zoom, before the tutor hires you.
Students want to know if they can connect with a dependable tutor. Having a conversation is one of the best ways to gauge this connection and dependability. Students want to know if they feel safe asking questions and if they can communicate with you well. Engaging in an interview, prior to the tutoring session, shows the student that you have their best interests in mind, as your ultimate goal is to help the student.
5. Respond to messages quickly.
The faster you respond, the more likely you are to have a student hire you. Do your best to have your response time be less than 24 hours. If a tutor wants help right now or soon, responding in a few days will not be helpful. If you cannot respond quickly, hide your profile (by using the toggle button on your dashboard) until you are ready to quickly reply.
6. Offer to record and send a recording of your tutoring session.
Don’t know how? It’s easy! Click here to find information on how to record and send a recording of your tutoring session. Students may love to have the tutoring session to reference.
1) Before the tutoring session, upload or have tabs open to the following:
-The Student work that the Student uploaded for the job
-Any other helpful online resources you want to utilize
2) Once you’re in the meeting, you can share either your entire screen, a specific tab, or a whiteboard.
3) The “Text” tool can be used to type on your screen.
4) The “Draw” tool can be used to write using your stylus and draw shapes.
5) The “Format” tool can be used to change font size and colors, widths of lines, bold, and italicize words.
6) The “Undo” and “Redo” tools can be used to populate past and future actions.
7) You can share your screen and have the student show their work in real time.
Zoom
1) Before the tutoring session, upload or have tabs open to the following:
-The Student work that the Student uploaded for the job
-Any other helpful online resources you want to utilize
2) Once you’re in the meeting, you can share either your entire screen, a specific tab, or a whiteboard.
3) The “Text” tool can be used to type on your screen.
4) The “Draw” tool can be used to write using your stylus and draw shapes.
5) The “Format” tool can be used to change font size and colors, widths of lines, bold, and italicize words.
6) The “Undo” and “Redo” tools can be used to populate past and future actions.
Security, Safety, Academic honesty
At this time, all tutoring sessions must be done online. Both tutors and students agree to having tutoring sessions online in the Terms of Use, when signing up. This is done for your safety and security, especially since minors utilize this platform for tutoring services.
The Tutoring Tom platform is designed so you do not need to give out any of your personal information to the student. This is done for your safety and security.
Yes. The academic honesty policy of Tutoring Tom is included in the platform’s Terms of Use. The academic honesty policy is in place to protect students, tutors, and Tutoring Online Marketplace, LLC from a liability claim. If the tutor believes the student wants the tutor to do the work for them, then tutors should discontinue tutoring services for this specific student. Tutors should always err on the side of caution when there is any doubt to the appearance of cheating on the platform. The tutor can report the issue to the Tutoring Tom administration team. If the academic honest policy is violated, students or tutors could have limited access or no access to the platform.
Examples of violating the academic policy can include, but are not limited to, the following:
Completing study guides or assignments on the student’s behalf, helping complete or assist in any type of an assessment (quiz, test, practice exams, “take home”, “open book,” etc.).