Tutoring via zoom/Skype/FaceTime for primary age-does it work well?

[Ilovearcticroll]

I tutor for a number of home Ed families with primary aged children. Understandably, most are keen to lie low at the moment and have asked what I can do online. I'm not set up for it just now, and a little uncertain about how online tutoring will work when I'm normally by their side and pretty hands on.
I don't want to take money for a service that is substandard, but equally, without going online, my income will disappear altogether.

I ran some home ed group sessions via video chat last week. It was a bit of a trial run and seemed to be fine. It's not as good as being there but at least I know I can keep going if I have to. I think they quite liked the novelty as well. I like to be hands on too but it is possible to work round things.

Like you, tutoring is my only source of income (not just home ed families) so I'm keen to keep calm and carry on!

ds attends online school and at the moment uses adobe. After Easter were changing to zoom. It works really well actually! Use all the tools! the interactive stuff (whiteboard, polls etc). Also u tube videos..... Online education/ schools have done this for years. Kids can type in a chat box or u can give microphone priveleges and u can all chat. webcams if u want.....

I am also a math tutor. It seems easier to tutor in person and it is also subject sensitive. I found teaching maths seem a bit more difficult than English even though zoom provides white board capability.

I did a session by FaceTime today and it worked okay. Still looking into Zoom, but at least I have a solution that works for the family I was with today.

My dc are having their music lessons via Skype and their school lessons via zoom.
They are yr 7.
I'm not sure how it is going to work but it is definitely better than nothing.

Yes, I've changed my position from "I'm not doing it as it won't be as good for my students as being there in real life" to "it is good, not as good, but definitely better than nothing." And my students my parents want at least some teaching. These are not normal circumstances.