New Feature UPdate: Introducing Voice Chat
When UPchieve first launched, every session happened through text chat. Why? Because that’s what students told us they preferred. Many felt more comfortable typing their questions rather than speaking out loud, especially in a new or online environment. Text chat helped level the playing field for students who need free tutoring but might be shy, need time to think, or simply didn’t have a quiet space for audio.
But as the UPchieve community has grown, we’ve listened closely to your voice—literally! Over time, students and coaches shared how sometimes, text just isn’t enough:
It can be tough to explain complicated math, science, or writing concepts by typing alone.
Sessions slow down when someone is a slow typist, or is switching between whiteboard and chat.
Tone, energy, and support are sometimes lost when you can’t hear each other.
We heard your feedback: “I wish I could just say what I’m thinking,” and, “Can we talk instead of type?”
Why We Built Voice Chat
That’s why we’re excited to introduce Voice Chat, a new way to connect in UPchieve sessions. Now, students and volunteer coaches can talk in real time, just like in a classroom or tutoring center. To keep things accessible, everything spoken is also transcribed as text—so if you prefer to read or need a written backup, you’re always covered.
The Science: Why Multi-Modal Learning Matters
Education researchers have long known that people remember and understand more when information is delivered in multiple ways. According to the Cognitive Principles of Multimedia Learning by Dr. Richard Mayer (1999), combining audio, visuals, and text helps more parts of the brain engage, leading to deeper comprehension and retention.
“It was easy to communicate using both the microphone and the whiteboard. I was able to interact with the student to draw out equations which helped a lot!”
Audio learning, in particular, has proven benefits. It can support oral language development and boost student self confidence for struggling readers or writers. Research has shown that students who were given audio versions of learning content (such as podcasts) demonstrated more knowledge retention, engagement, and motivation (Khechine et al., 2009).
For many students, being able to explain an idea out loud—or hear it spoken—makes all the difference.
Designed for Every Learner
Voice Chat isn’t just about speed—it’s about access. Some students find typing challenging, whether due to learning differences, language barriers, or disabilities. With Voice Chat, if you can speak, you can be heard. If you’d rather read or can’t use audio, the transcript has you covered.
“The new feature helped a lot. It was better than just typing because I could really communicate better with my tutor.”
A New Way to Connect and Learn
UPchieve started as a place where students could get help in the way they felt safest—through chat. But as our community has grown, so have your needs. We’re always eager to listen and evolve together. Voice Chat was built to make remote tutoring sessions smoother, warmer, and more like the best kind of teamwork. It’s about reducing barriers, building rapport, and letting every learner find their own voice—literally.
Curious how Voice Chat works? Check out our help center guide or jump into your next UPchieve session and try it for yourself!
Is your school or organization interested in making tutoring even more accessible? Chat with our Partnerships team by emailing partnerships@upchieve.org.