: https://theresearchwhisperer.wordpress.com/2015/07/14/goodbye-academia/
Bettina Rösler
is a casual researcher and university tutor. She completed her PhD
thesis, “Reimagining Cultural Diplomacy through Cosmopolitan Linkages:
Australian Artists-in-Residence in Asia”, at the Institute for Culture
and Society (University of Western Sydney) in 2015.
Bettina has also completed master degrees in English
Literature/Cultural Studies at TU Dresden (Germany) and Translation
Studies at Auckland University (New Zealand). The primary focus of her
work is cultural and arts policy, Australia-Asia relations, and the
translation of cultures and intercultural dialogue, with a focus on
cultural activities and the arts.
We invited Bettina to share her perspectives with us as
part of the lead-up to the #securework tweetchat on FRIDAY 17 July, 11am
AEDT. The tweetchat aims to be part of a national
conversation around insecure academic work. Also participating will be
@unicasual @NTEUnational @acahacker @KateMfD and @NAPUAustralia.
The semester is long over, yet I’m spending some time every week
answering student emails regarding grades or additional feedback for
assignments. There seems to be an expectation for me to be eternally available for
any potential issues relating to the particular units I taught.
Students request more feedback on assignments or new unit coordinators
require details from last term.
The problem here is the fact that I am not on anyone’s payroll and I am not getting paid for the time I spend responding to emails. I am a casual academic and I am not alone.
More than half of universities’ academic staff are only casually employed (Bexley, James & Arkoudis 2011). These already high numbers of casual academics are increasing (Rea 2014), and I personally know at least a dozen highly qualified and
competent early career researchers who struggle under precarious work
conditions. Like many others, I have recently completed a PhD and fought ever since to make a living.
Every term, I have to renegotiate work contracts, which can involve
weeks of uncertainty and, sometimes, no secure contract until well into
the semester. After an already long ‘income pause’ (i.e. semester break,
which is even longer and more daunting over summer), any further income
delays are likely to test my credit card limit. Receiving a salary for about 26 weeks a year is simply not sustainable.
I am in my mid-thirties, still sharing a flat (OK, I live in Sydney),
cannot afford a car, and have not had a holiday in over a decade. I
couldn’t even get credit for a new computer. Twice every year, I
seriously consider going on benefits because I’m afraid I won’t be able
to pay rent.
Biannually, I am thrown into deep existential debates on my position
in this flawed academic system, and what I could do differently. How can
I improve my chances and further my career? But it is very hard.
For
half of the year, I over-commit to make up for the time I’m not
teaching. Finding suitable in-between research assistant gigs is rare
and generally doesn’t match up with the semester dates. This has
affected my social life and mental state. Sadly, this is likely to
affect many casuals’ teaching quality
(Clohesy 2015).
While I am putting a lot of effort into tutorial
preparation, I always feel I could do so much more. I could run a blog
or Facebook group for the students; I could find more additional
material; I could help develop and improve the unit content and
incorporate some of the students’ feedback. Unfortunately, casuals are
rarely given the opportunity or platform to do so - let alone be paid
for it.
As a casual academic, paid time will always have priority over other (potentially better career-furthering) activities.
This is a huge problem for casuals as an important part of an academic
career consists of in-kind contributions in form of journal issue
editing, articles or book reviews, sitting on boards and committees,
chairing conferences, and so on.
I simply don’t have the time to
properly develop my research profile. I cannot attend conferences as
they are too expensive, and I have no affiliation for potential funding.
This lack of affiliation is often additionally problematic in terms of
grant applications. Moreover, there is very little time left for
substantial writing between teaching, marking, and job applications.
Applying for academic positions is tedious and almost a full-time job
in itself. Numerous highly complex criteria need to be addressed.
Besides, in the current job climate, it can be a very depressing
activity. Not only are there very few permanent and/or full-time
positions available, but in my area in particular there are just so many
highly qualified young academics out there.
If you get an average of
100 applicants for an academic positions, obviously the one with the
most closely aligned research background, experience, and highest number
of publications will get the job. There will always be an (almost)
perfect candidate with specialised skills, which makes any other
applicant’s transferable skills seem redundant. Unfortunately, I feel my
research area is one of the least funded, with hardly any suitable jobs
available.
Even securing suitable casual teaching can be a challenge
While there are so-called eligibility lists and casual staff
registers, hardly any unit convener or coordinator ever seems to look at
those. Most jobs are shared via connections, and these can be hard to
establish. I have made connections to various unit coordinators who
praised my work and loved my initiative. Yet, many of them are only
casually employed themselves, thus in no position to re-employ tutors
for another term.
Another problem with this ‘system’ is the fact that, in some cases,
the most convenient staff option (i.e. the nearest available casual) may
not be the most suitable person for the job. Not everyone has the
necessary skills to teach, let alone run, a unit. However, for casual
employment this doesn’t seem to matter too much.
Many of these
eligibility lists or casual staff registers have strict selection
processes in place, including complex applications and interviews, and
it is frustrating to know that no one is really taking your skills and
experience seriously enough to even consider your application.
Understandably though, most overworked and often casual unit
coordinators simply don’t have the time to look at long lists of
potentially more suitable applicants. Most unit planning is dictated by
student enrolments, which puts unit coordinators in an impossible
position. They cannot offer jobs until enrolments are finalised, and
often need last-minute tutors. Besides, many universities appear to
prefer parallel tutorials as most students prefer certain times over
others. This means tutors cannot get three or four tutes in a row;
rather two different tutors will have to cover the parallel sessions.
Moreover, many schools don’t want to have tutors taking on too many
tutorials as tight marking deadlines may not be met. Many universities
are conscious of the hours casual tutors work due to their right to seek conversion to permanent employment if employed on a regular basis. Consequently, I often end up teaching various subjects in a number of schools.
I have been a casual or sessional academic for more than two years
now. I have been doing everything from teaching to research assistant
and admin.
I love teaching, but hate the work environment. So
much so that I am seriously considering saying goodbye to academia. It
feels like a Catch 22 from which I cannot escape. I see many senior
academics toil away and, while most seem to enjoy dedicating their
entire lives to research, this does not work for everyone.
Increasingly, I think it may not work for me.
Should it really come down to a choice between working 70+ hours
weeks on continuing (or ‘tenure-track’) vs casual academic precarity? I
believe that there needs to be an option in between: solid academic
positions for highly qualified people who appreciate a decent work/life
balance.
—————————–
References
Bexley, Emmaline, James, Richard & Arkoudis, Sophie (2001). The
Australian academic profession in transition: Addressing the challenge
of reconceptualising academic work and regenerating the academic
workforce. Melbourne: Centre for the Study of Higher Education.
Clohesy, Lachlan (2015). The Casualisation of Academia: impacts on Australian universities. The AIM Network.
Rea, Jeannie (2014). University work becoming more precarious. Connect, 7(2). p. 7-8.
University of Western Sydney (2011). UWS Code of conduct: Guide for academic and professional employees.
Showing posts with label Tutoring. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tutoring. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Teaching Undergraduates for the First Time
by Felicity Loughlin, Pubs and Publications: http://www.blogs.hss.ed.ac.uk/pubs-and-publications/2015/05/15/teaching-undergraduates-for-the-first-time/
Being a PhD student can sometimes feel like a continual exercise in multi-tasking.
Researching and writing up a thesis is often interrupted, thankfully, by attending or organising conferences, research trips, and giving papers.
For me, one of the best and most rewarding of all extra-curricular PhD activities is teaching undergraduate students. Having some experience in teaching is now a prerequisite for most academic jobs and many universities offer PhD students the opportunity to work as undergraduate tutors.
Teaching your first class of undergraduate students, however, can be a rather intimidating prospect. I’d like to share my own experience about teaching for the first time and offer some tips for those of you who are thinking about giving it a go.
Before the First Class
There are lots of things you can do to help prepare you for your first class. I spent some time familiarising myself with the course handbook, noting down any course-work deadlines in my diary, and looking at how the tutorials fitted in with the lectures.
The Graduate School Director also organised a training session, which took us through the tutor-guidelines and offered a Q&A with an experienced postgraduate tutor.
Although we get paid for one hour’s worth of preparation time, we were told that tutors often take much longer to prepare, particularly if it’s a topic you’re not very familiar with. I soon discovered that this was all too true and spent at least a day going over the material for my first class.
There’s no golden rule for how long to spend preparing your class and you shouldn’t feel guilty if you spend more or less time preparing than one of your colleagues. Prepare for as long as it takes for you to feel comfortable leading the class, so long as you still leave plenty of time for your own research; you don’t have to know everything about the topic for the tutorial to go well.
As well as going over some of the assigned reading material and discussion topics, I found it helpful to have a few additional questions or a primary source prepared in case of extra time. For the first class especially, it really helps to have an ice-breaker activity ready.
As much as these used to make me squirm as an undergraduate, I’ve found that it can really help set a good atmosphere for the rest of the term if you get to know your students, and they get to know each other, early on.
Finally, postgraduate tutors usually take on a least a couple of hours’ worth of tutoring. It’s worth trying to schedule your classes one after the other, or on the same day, to help with time management.
Teaching uses up and creates a lot of energy, and I find it very difficult to get back to my desk afterwards. Scheduling it so that your teaching is all on one day makes it much easier to balance your time so that tutoring doesn’t take over your PhD.
The First Class
No matter how much you prepare, walking into a room of a dozen undergraduates can be a nerve-wracking experience. Being somewhat short in stature and accustomed to bus drivers asking me if I would like a child’s fare, I was anxious I might be mistaken for one of my students.
I got round this awkward issue by bringing a cup of tea and a big pile of handouts in with me. Whether or not the cup of tea was what marked me out as the tutor I do not know, but it certainly made me feel better!
Other people I know tend to wear “tutor outfits” on the days they teach. I also found it helpful to arrive just a few minutes before the class to give the students a chance to talk to one another first, which can make them more willing to talk to one another in the discussion.
Since I was teaching on a first-year course, I started by briefly explaining the purpose of the tutorials and how to prepare for them. It’s a good idea to draw their attention to course-work deadlines in the first class, since the first hand-in might not be all that far away.
During the ice-breaker, remember to introduce yourself and your research, which can help create a friendly atmosphere. It can be tempting to think ahead to the next activity while students are introducing themselves, but try to focus on what they’re saying.
Asking questions about why they chose to study the course can be a great way of getting to know your students and help you to remember their names. I took the register at the same time to try to reinforce who was who in my head.
Don’t panic if the conversation doesn’t flow straightaway. Try different questions or techniques, such as splitting the class into small groups. It helps to give credit where it’s due and to make gentle corrections where necessary so that students don’t feel embarrassed to contribute. Think about teaching styles that you found particularly effective as an undergraduate and try to imitate those techniques.
After the Class
It’s good to think about what went well and what didn’t after a class; but don’t be too harsh on yourself if something didn’t work as well as you’d planned. Often an activity will be brilliant with one group and a total disaster in another.
Teaching can be stressful and time-consuming, particularly when it gets to marking season, and it can be frustrating if students don’t put in the effort. Overall, however, getting to teach is an absolute gift and there are few things that can beat the rush of adrenaline you get when you walk out of the class knowing that it went really well. So make the most of it and good luck!
Felicity Loughlin is a 2nd Year AHRC-PhD candidate at Edinburgh University working on approaches to non-Christian religions in 18th-century Scotland. She tweets from @FelicityPL or find her at edinburgh.academia.edu/FelicityLoughlin
(Image 1: mentalfloss.com, Image 2: Alamy Photography)
Being a PhD student can sometimes feel like a continual exercise in multi-tasking.
Researching and writing up a thesis is often interrupted, thankfully, by attending or organising conferences, research trips, and giving papers.
For me, one of the best and most rewarding of all extra-curricular PhD activities is teaching undergraduate students. Having some experience in teaching is now a prerequisite for most academic jobs and many universities offer PhD students the opportunity to work as undergraduate tutors.
Teaching your first class of undergraduate students, however, can be a rather intimidating prospect. I’d like to share my own experience about teaching for the first time and offer some tips for those of you who are thinking about giving it a go.
Before the First Class
There are lots of things you can do to help prepare you for your first class. I spent some time familiarising myself with the course handbook, noting down any course-work deadlines in my diary, and looking at how the tutorials fitted in with the lectures.
The Graduate School Director also organised a training session, which took us through the tutor-guidelines and offered a Q&A with an experienced postgraduate tutor.
Although we get paid for one hour’s worth of preparation time, we were told that tutors often take much longer to prepare, particularly if it’s a topic you’re not very familiar with. I soon discovered that this was all too true and spent at least a day going over the material for my first class.
There’s no golden rule for how long to spend preparing your class and you shouldn’t feel guilty if you spend more or less time preparing than one of your colleagues. Prepare for as long as it takes for you to feel comfortable leading the class, so long as you still leave plenty of time for your own research; you don’t have to know everything about the topic for the tutorial to go well.
As well as going over some of the assigned reading material and discussion topics, I found it helpful to have a few additional questions or a primary source prepared in case of extra time. For the first class especially, it really helps to have an ice-breaker activity ready.
As much as these used to make me squirm as an undergraduate, I’ve found that it can really help set a good atmosphere for the rest of the term if you get to know your students, and they get to know each other, early on.
Finally, postgraduate tutors usually take on a least a couple of hours’ worth of tutoring. It’s worth trying to schedule your classes one after the other, or on the same day, to help with time management.
Teaching uses up and creates a lot of energy, and I find it very difficult to get back to my desk afterwards. Scheduling it so that your teaching is all on one day makes it much easier to balance your time so that tutoring doesn’t take over your PhD.
The First Class
No matter how much you prepare, walking into a room of a dozen undergraduates can be a nerve-wracking experience. Being somewhat short in stature and accustomed to bus drivers asking me if I would like a child’s fare, I was anxious I might be mistaken for one of my students.
I got round this awkward issue by bringing a cup of tea and a big pile of handouts in with me. Whether or not the cup of tea was what marked me out as the tutor I do not know, but it certainly made me feel better!
Other people I know tend to wear “tutor outfits” on the days they teach. I also found it helpful to arrive just a few minutes before the class to give the students a chance to talk to one another first, which can make them more willing to talk to one another in the discussion.
The humble cup of tea, tasty drink and status marker!
Since I was teaching on a first-year course, I started by briefly explaining the purpose of the tutorials and how to prepare for them. It’s a good idea to draw their attention to course-work deadlines in the first class, since the first hand-in might not be all that far away.
During the ice-breaker, remember to introduce yourself and your research, which can help create a friendly atmosphere. It can be tempting to think ahead to the next activity while students are introducing themselves, but try to focus on what they’re saying.
Asking questions about why they chose to study the course can be a great way of getting to know your students and help you to remember their names. I took the register at the same time to try to reinforce who was who in my head.
Don’t panic if the conversation doesn’t flow straightaway. Try different questions or techniques, such as splitting the class into small groups. It helps to give credit where it’s due and to make gentle corrections where necessary so that students don’t feel embarrassed to contribute. Think about teaching styles that you found particularly effective as an undergraduate and try to imitate those techniques.
After the Class
It’s good to think about what went well and what didn’t after a class; but don’t be too harsh on yourself if something didn’t work as well as you’d planned. Often an activity will be brilliant with one group and a total disaster in another.
Teaching can be stressful and time-consuming, particularly when it gets to marking season, and it can be frustrating if students don’t put in the effort. Overall, however, getting to teach is an absolute gift and there are few things that can beat the rush of adrenaline you get when you walk out of the class knowing that it went really well. So make the most of it and good luck!
Felicity Loughlin is a 2nd Year AHRC-PhD candidate at Edinburgh University working on approaches to non-Christian religions in 18th-century Scotland. She tweets from @FelicityPL or find her at edinburgh.academia.edu/FelicityLoughlin
(Image 1: mentalfloss.com, Image 2: Alamy Photography)
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
The Real Reason Behind Asian Education Success: A Perspective From Japan
Kawai Juku, Nagoya, Japan (Wikipedia) |
Manabu Watanbe is a Japan-based educational author and blogger who contacted us because he is concerned many in the west are missing the point about education in Asia where, he says, success is largely because of the ‘shadow education system’ (made up of paid-for after-school groups and private tutoring) rather than the school system …
If you were the secretary of state for education and interested in the high performance of Asian countries in the latest PISA study (Programme for International Student Assessment), you would read official reports, have some briefings by professors of education, or attend some conferences held by the governments of those countries.
And the result is that you would be doomed to miss the point, because most young Asians put their passion and energy not in school, but in shadow education (supplementary education or private tutoring after school).
The Asian Development Bank in 2012 reported stunning facts:
*In China, the 2004 Urban Household Education and Employment Survey of 4,772 households indicated that 73.8% of primary students were receiving supplementary lessons, including in non-academic subjects. Proportions in lower and upper secondary were 65.6% and 53.5% …
*In Hong Kong, a 2009 telephone survey of 521 students found that 72.5% of upper primary students had received tutoring; and a survey of 898 secondary students found that 72.5% in lower secondary had received tutoring, while proportions in middle and senior secondary were 81.9% and 85.5%, respectively.
*In South Korea, in 2008, 87.9% of elementary school pupils were estimated to be receiving tutoring. In middle school the proportion was 72.5%; and in general high school it was 60.5%.
*In Singapore, a 2008 newspaper report stated that 97% of students polled at the primary, middle, and senior secondary levels were receiving tutoring.
These surveys are not necessarily large in scale but the results are too strong to be neglected. Shadow education in Japan, which is usually called juku, is probably the most sophisticated and well-developed amongst the Asian nations.
According to the Ministry of Industry of Japan, there are more than 50,000 juku companies and the industry has already grown to a 10 billion US$ market.
Several big companies have set up their own publishing houses and some launched satellites for their distance learning about fifteen years before the Internet video-on-demand system came into use.
Nowadays the business has penetrated into the school activity. Some jukus provide remedial courses in public [state] schools and some hold training courses for school teachers.
However, the near half-century of history of jukus is tainted with criticism and hate speeches from those within the school system and other opinion leaders, probably because they feel that school education is threatened by them.
Thus, despite its enormous popularity and impact, the jukus phenomenon has never been sufficiently studied as a research subject, though the commercial guide books and magazine articles on the juku service are abundantly available in Japan.
Shadow education has hardly been mentioned in official documents, because, perhaps, it is difficult to grasp the actual situation in some countries and, in Japan, because of the reluctance of the authorities to discuss it openly.
Both the UK education secretary and the shadow education secretary have strongly suggested learning from Asian experiences of education, but it is unlikely that they have learned about the real situation.
However, this is not their fault: it is due to the lack of research and the reluctance of the authorities to discuss the role of the shadow education system.
International educational assessments are obviously designed to gauge how effectively the school system functions in each country.
However, considering the fact that all the high-performing Asian countries see this proliferation of shadow education, the latest PISA results unwittingly highlight the impact of this every bit as much as the impact of the school system and should be judged accordingly.
References:
Shadow Education: Private Supplementary Tutoring and Its Implications for Policy Makers in Asia
http://www.adb.org/
Japan’s cramming schools. Testing times.
http://www.economist.com/node/
Juku - the Stealth Force of Education and the Deterioration of Schools in Japan
http://www.amazon.com/Juku-
You can see more from Manabu Watanbe at http://jukuyobiko.blogspot.jp
Saturday, July 27, 2013
How Home Tuition Prevents Your Child From Falling Behind In School
by Elen Moja
If you are a parent, the term home tuition may not be new to you. Even though some might dismiss this as an excuse for tutors to make extra money, home coaching goes a long way in ensuring your child never falls behind in his or her school.
If your child is falling behind in school, you will most likely be the last person to know. The child might be too ashamed or embarrassed to talk about his or her struggles with studies.
Nevertheless, if you observe several signs, your child will not need to ask for help because you will tell that there is a problem and take proper measures.
Signs your child is falling behind
Increased neediness
If your child is normally independent and likes to do things on his or her own, you will know there is a problem in school if he or she suddenly starts to become overly needy and dependent on you.
Avoiding the topic of school
According to child psychologists, if something is going on at school, the child will run around, fidget or do anything just to avoid any conversation about school.
Depressed or distant behavior
Yes, even children can become depressed. If you observe that the energy level of your child has gone down particularly during school time, this could be a sign of trouble.
Getting heated over nothing
If your child suddenly becomes aggressive and gets heated over small things especially during school time, then something is wrong.
How home tuition helps
Staying on top of schoolwork
The first thing a home tutor will do is to ensure that your child does all his or her school assignments. The tutor will also provide assistance where the child does not understand during these assignments.
Preventing a lax attitude during the holidays
It is true that long holidays provide a needed break for children to relax their mind but if they are not careful, they could become lax in their studies. A home tutor helps keep the child active in studies ensuring they never fall behind.
Testing and improving cognitive skills
According to top experts in child education, one of the underlying reasons that cause learning struggles for children is poor cognitive skills. They are mental tools that make up the child's IQ, including things like attention, memory, reasoning and logic. A good home tutor will be able to detect the absence of these skills and nature them to improve the child's performance.
We provide the best info about home tuition. For further details please visit the provided link.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elen_Moja
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-Home-Tuition-Prevents-Your-Child-From-Falling-Behind-In-School&id=7887227
If you are a parent, the term home tuition may not be new to you. Even though some might dismiss this as an excuse for tutors to make extra money, home coaching goes a long way in ensuring your child never falls behind in his or her school.
If your child is falling behind in school, you will most likely be the last person to know. The child might be too ashamed or embarrassed to talk about his or her struggles with studies.
Nevertheless, if you observe several signs, your child will not need to ask for help because you will tell that there is a problem and take proper measures.
Signs your child is falling behind
Increased neediness
If your child is normally independent and likes to do things on his or her own, you will know there is a problem in school if he or she suddenly starts to become overly needy and dependent on you.
Avoiding the topic of school
According to child psychologists, if something is going on at school, the child will run around, fidget or do anything just to avoid any conversation about school.
Depressed or distant behavior
Yes, even children can become depressed. If you observe that the energy level of your child has gone down particularly during school time, this could be a sign of trouble.
Getting heated over nothing
If your child suddenly becomes aggressive and gets heated over small things especially during school time, then something is wrong.
How home tuition helps
Staying on top of schoolwork
The first thing a home tutor will do is to ensure that your child does all his or her school assignments. The tutor will also provide assistance where the child does not understand during these assignments.
Preventing a lax attitude during the holidays
It is true that long holidays provide a needed break for children to relax their mind but if they are not careful, they could become lax in their studies. A home tutor helps keep the child active in studies ensuring they never fall behind.
Testing and improving cognitive skills
According to top experts in child education, one of the underlying reasons that cause learning struggles for children is poor cognitive skills. They are mental tools that make up the child's IQ, including things like attention, memory, reasoning and logic. A good home tutor will be able to detect the absence of these skills and nature them to improve the child's performance.
We provide the best info about home tuition. For further details please visit the provided link.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elen_Moja
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-Home-Tuition-Prevents-Your-Child-From-Falling-Behind-In-School&id=7887227
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Becoming a Math Tutor: Characteristics of Highly Effective Math Tutors
by Dr Alicia Holland Johnson
Year after year, it seems like more and more parents and students are looking for tutors, especially in mathematics.
It is very hard to pinpoint a specific reason, but there is one truth that remains - they are looking for highly effective tutors. There are three characteristics that are evident when working with highly effective math tutors.
These characteristics are the following:
1. Displaying Warm Welcomes and Positivity
Often times, tutoring can be viewed as using one single method that can be characterized as "sit and get", but highly effective tutors do not use this method. Instead, they focus their energy on getting to know the learner so that he or she can be comfortable in the tutoring session.
This strategy should be used at the beginning of the tutoring session and definitely throughout. Let's face it ... no one wants to pay for specialized instruction and only be told what he or she is having difficulty with.
Thus, it's very important to help the learner feel positive while he or she is involved in tutoring.
2. Applying Data-Driven Tutoring Strategies
Each tutor has his or her unique way of working with their clients, but there are some strategies that should be observed or discussed further when looking for highly effective tutors.
These types of tutors will have a system in place to get detailed learning information that should help him or her design a customized tutoring program.
Additionally, after each tutoring session, their clients can expect to receive some sort of progress report (i.e. monitoring notes) that consists of what was done during the session and how the learner performed.
Also, this report will have what needs to be covered and strategies to employ at home so that the learner can apply the skills learned in the tutoring session.
Another data-driven tutoring strategy that math tutors will employ is using a combination of technology and hands-on instruction. Not only does this get the learners engaged in the learning process, it also helps with helping them make constructive meaning of what they are learning.
In other words, learners are able to conceptually see how some math topics work, even with some topics in secondary math.
3. Assessing Learners' Progress during the Tutoring Session
Last but not least, highly effective math tutors will assess learners regularly throughout the tutoring session. This does not mean that the learner will be constantly taking assessments. Instead, he or she will be engaged in tutoring discourse that relate to the concepts studied in the tutoring session.
This strategy affords the learner the opportunity to use their own creative and critical thinking skills. Depending on the learner's needs, the highly effective math tutor may decide to engage in a mini-assessment towards the end of the tutoring session or even wait until the next tutoring session.
The bottom line is that highly effective math tutors will exhibit one or more of these characteristics with consistency and display a great deal of patience when working with their clients. Without reservation, any highly effective tutor is in demand, especially when it comes to mathematics.
About the Author
Alicia Holland-Johnson, EdD, is a proud mother of two beautiful daughters and an educator with ten years of teaching experience at all levels, including university teaching.
She also works as a professional tutor at iGlobal Educational Services and serves as a tutor consultant http://www.drholland-johnson.com in the education industry. Her passion is helping individuals believe in themselves and go far.
To receive a free special report, join the blog at http://www.becomingabettertutor.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr_Alicia_Holland_Johnson
http://EzineArticles.com/?Becoming-a-Math-Tutor---Characteristics-of-Highly-Effective-Math-Tutors&id=7882849
Year after year, it seems like more and more parents and students are looking for tutors, especially in mathematics.
It is very hard to pinpoint a specific reason, but there is one truth that remains - they are looking for highly effective tutors. There are three characteristics that are evident when working with highly effective math tutors.
These characteristics are the following:
1. Displaying Warm Welcomes and Positivity
Often times, tutoring can be viewed as using one single method that can be characterized as "sit and get", but highly effective tutors do not use this method. Instead, they focus their energy on getting to know the learner so that he or she can be comfortable in the tutoring session.
This strategy should be used at the beginning of the tutoring session and definitely throughout. Let's face it ... no one wants to pay for specialized instruction and only be told what he or she is having difficulty with.
Thus, it's very important to help the learner feel positive while he or she is involved in tutoring.
2. Applying Data-Driven Tutoring Strategies
Each tutor has his or her unique way of working with their clients, but there are some strategies that should be observed or discussed further when looking for highly effective tutors.
These types of tutors will have a system in place to get detailed learning information that should help him or her design a customized tutoring program.
Additionally, after each tutoring session, their clients can expect to receive some sort of progress report (i.e. monitoring notes) that consists of what was done during the session and how the learner performed.
Also, this report will have what needs to be covered and strategies to employ at home so that the learner can apply the skills learned in the tutoring session.
Another data-driven tutoring strategy that math tutors will employ is using a combination of technology and hands-on instruction. Not only does this get the learners engaged in the learning process, it also helps with helping them make constructive meaning of what they are learning.
In other words, learners are able to conceptually see how some math topics work, even with some topics in secondary math.
3. Assessing Learners' Progress during the Tutoring Session
Last but not least, highly effective math tutors will assess learners regularly throughout the tutoring session. This does not mean that the learner will be constantly taking assessments. Instead, he or she will be engaged in tutoring discourse that relate to the concepts studied in the tutoring session.
This strategy affords the learner the opportunity to use their own creative and critical thinking skills. Depending on the learner's needs, the highly effective math tutor may decide to engage in a mini-assessment towards the end of the tutoring session or even wait until the next tutoring session.
The bottom line is that highly effective math tutors will exhibit one or more of these characteristics with consistency and display a great deal of patience when working with their clients. Without reservation, any highly effective tutor is in demand, especially when it comes to mathematics.
About the Author
Alicia Holland-Johnson, EdD, is a proud mother of two beautiful daughters and an educator with ten years of teaching experience at all levels, including university teaching.
She also works as a professional tutor at iGlobal Educational Services and serves as a tutor consultant http://www.drholland-johnson.com in the education industry. Her passion is helping individuals believe in themselves and go far.
To receive a free special report, join the blog at http://www.becomingabettertutor.blogspot.com
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http://EzineArticles.com/?Becoming-a-Math-Tutor---Characteristics-of-Highly-Effective-Math-Tutors&id=7882849
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Reading Hard: Why Some Students Find Reading Challenging and How to Overcome The Problem
by Mark Abella
When students tell me they find reading hard, it reminds me of Ravi's story. Ravi immigrated to the US and failed every one of his spelling exams. After his teacher introduced him to me he began to get A's on each one.
What was interesting is the rest of his grades starting to improve also. So what was going on there?
Well this has to do with breaking down what was actually happening. We were focused on words, getting an understanding of words. So this may be a weird question, but what are words? What are they? Well, words - let me back up here.
Let's go into a story. If you watched that movie with Tom Hanks and that ball, he's trapped on that deserted island, Castaway.
You don't even have to watch it, it's Tom Hanks, he's stuck on an island, it's just him, and he's got this ball.
He's just hanging out with this volleyball there and he gets really lonely and so he starts talking with this volley ball. And it seems like the ball is talking back to him after he's there for like 4 years or so.
Let's imagine he, the ball itself, Wilson, needs to learn words now. So how do we teach Wilson words?
What we'd do is we'd pick up some sand, right? And then we'd pour the sand around Wilson, say "Alright Wilson, sand. Sand." And then hopefully Wilson will be like "OK, that's sand." And you're like "Good. Good, OK, you got it. Sand."
So we're making these funny sounds with our mouths, and then hopefully he repeats those sounds back.
And we go to the water. We pick up the water and splash it around and we say "OK Wilson, water. Water." And then Wilson's like, "OK, that's called water." "Alright, good Wilson. You got it, you got it."
And then we just keep doing that. We take these sounds and we attach them to different things and we get tree next and we just go throughout the island, and eventually we can trade ideas back and forth with Wilson, we can go back and forth and we communicate ideas.
So what are words? They're the ways that we can share ideas back and forth, originally through sounds and then eventually we wrote them down, because we're cool like that.
So what was Wilson getting? What was Ravi getting? What do we get when we're small babies growing up, when we start learning these words? Well, we get the basic building blocks of ideas, right?
These are like, if a big huge idea like say in a classroom you get all these ideas thrown at you, if that's like a house, the words and the symbols, say if it's math you're using different symbols, these are like the building blocks. They're the concrete, they're the bricks. They're what makes up the big structure - all of education.
And so without the words, without understanding the words, you're not going to get the big ideas. You need to get the ideas that the words are trying to share before you can get the bigger ideas. And that's what we focus on all day long.
Throughout this article I'm communicating to you in words, right? Hopefully you're getting these ideas I'm trying to share with you to help improve your study skills through the words I'm using.
If you hate reading many of the learning bricks are missing - the concrete hasn't been mixed correctly. So student's with this challenge think they have an understanding of most of the words. When I ask them to define key words they usually only have an unclear idea - nothing concrete - nothing solid.
They definitely do not have enough understanding of these specific words to build new learning or new understanding on.
So what happens if you keep trying to build something and it keeps falling apart? What happens if you try to create something new and it keeps collapsing? You give up - you hate it.
If you find reading hard, come check out the study skills webinar. Get more information on how to read and memorize better. Get 5 solid Game Changers to help you get better grades more quickly and easily, right now - http://faststudyskills.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Abella
http://EzineArticles.com/?Reading-Hard:-Why-Some-Students-Find-Reading-Challenging-and-How-to-Overcome-It&id=7857538
When students tell me they find reading hard, it reminds me of Ravi's story. Ravi immigrated to the US and failed every one of his spelling exams. After his teacher introduced him to me he began to get A's on each one.
What was interesting is the rest of his grades starting to improve also. So what was going on there?
Well this has to do with breaking down what was actually happening. We were focused on words, getting an understanding of words. So this may be a weird question, but what are words? What are they? Well, words - let me back up here.
Let's go into a story. If you watched that movie with Tom Hanks and that ball, he's trapped on that deserted island, Castaway.
You don't even have to watch it, it's Tom Hanks, he's stuck on an island, it's just him, and he's got this ball.
He's just hanging out with this volleyball there and he gets really lonely and so he starts talking with this volley ball. And it seems like the ball is talking back to him after he's there for like 4 years or so.
Let's imagine he, the ball itself, Wilson, needs to learn words now. So how do we teach Wilson words?
What we'd do is we'd pick up some sand, right? And then we'd pour the sand around Wilson, say "Alright Wilson, sand. Sand." And then hopefully Wilson will be like "OK, that's sand." And you're like "Good. Good, OK, you got it. Sand."
So we're making these funny sounds with our mouths, and then hopefully he repeats those sounds back.
And we go to the water. We pick up the water and splash it around and we say "OK Wilson, water. Water." And then Wilson's like, "OK, that's called water." "Alright, good Wilson. You got it, you got it."
And then we just keep doing that. We take these sounds and we attach them to different things and we get tree next and we just go throughout the island, and eventually we can trade ideas back and forth with Wilson, we can go back and forth and we communicate ideas.
So what are words? They're the ways that we can share ideas back and forth, originally through sounds and then eventually we wrote them down, because we're cool like that.
So what was Wilson getting? What was Ravi getting? What do we get when we're small babies growing up, when we start learning these words? Well, we get the basic building blocks of ideas, right?
These are like, if a big huge idea like say in a classroom you get all these ideas thrown at you, if that's like a house, the words and the symbols, say if it's math you're using different symbols, these are like the building blocks. They're the concrete, they're the bricks. They're what makes up the big structure - all of education.
And so without the words, without understanding the words, you're not going to get the big ideas. You need to get the ideas that the words are trying to share before you can get the bigger ideas. And that's what we focus on all day long.
Throughout this article I'm communicating to you in words, right? Hopefully you're getting these ideas I'm trying to share with you to help improve your study skills through the words I'm using.
If you hate reading many of the learning bricks are missing - the concrete hasn't been mixed correctly. So student's with this challenge think they have an understanding of most of the words. When I ask them to define key words they usually only have an unclear idea - nothing concrete - nothing solid.
They definitely do not have enough understanding of these specific words to build new learning or new understanding on.
So what happens if you keep trying to build something and it keeps falling apart? What happens if you try to create something new and it keeps collapsing? You give up - you hate it.
If you find reading hard, come check out the study skills webinar. Get more information on how to read and memorize better. Get 5 solid Game Changers to help you get better grades more quickly and easily, right now - http://faststudyskills.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Abella
http://EzineArticles.com/?Reading-Hard:-Why-Some-Students-Find-Reading-Challenging-and-How-to-Overcome-It&id=7857538
Friday, May 31, 2013
6 Steps That You Can Take To Improve Your Child's Performance In School
by Mkamba M Juke
Every time that a child comes home after the end of a study period, one of the first things a parent looks at is the child's performance.
If the child's report card shows poor grades, a bad remark from the teacher or anything that does not indicate excellence on the part of the child, it often becomes difficult for the parent to keep calm.
However, here are some basic steps that a parent can use to shape his or her child's performance in school, to ensure excellence.
a) Manage your reaction
Your child may seek for assistance from you, but once he or she notices that you have a bitter reaction, he or she may end up being scared. Therefore, even though you might be angry, it is advisable that you cool down and try to device ways that you can make him or her improve.
Using a calm approach towards any problem concerning your child's performance is one of the best ways you can use to solve the problem.
b) Assist your child
Peruse through his or her performance on the report form and identify what exactly happened. Seek to know from your child the reasons that led to him or her attaining the grades that he or she has. This will assist you to come up with steps that will improve his or her performance.
c) Talk to his or her teacher face-to-face
This is vital, as you will be able to know the teacher's views concerning your child's level of learning, also, seek to get specific tips from the teacher on how you can assist your child improve his or her grades.
d) Schedule extra hours to assist your child
This has also helped many poor performing children improve. If necessary, you can also hire a tutor as well. If poor performance is all where your concern is, then spending extra hours with him after his normal daytime lessons at school in form of home tuition can be very important.
e) Motivate your child by praising him or her
Each time your child registers a significant improvement in his or her grades, celebrate him or her through offering rewards to make him or her feel appreciated. This boosts the morale of your child thus making him or her work even harder.
f) Monitor your child's performance
This will avoid the rise of problems again. Encourage him or her to tell you everything concerning school, teachers and assignments as well. Let your child understand that you have a great interest in his or her education and that his or her performance matters a lot to you.
We provide the best info about home tuition. For further details please visit the provided links.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mkamba_M_Juke
http://EzineArticles.com/?6-Steps-That-You-Can-Take-To-Improve-Your-Childs-Performance-In-School&id=7747723
Every time that a child comes home after the end of a study period, one of the first things a parent looks at is the child's performance.
If the child's report card shows poor grades, a bad remark from the teacher or anything that does not indicate excellence on the part of the child, it often becomes difficult for the parent to keep calm.
However, here are some basic steps that a parent can use to shape his or her child's performance in school, to ensure excellence.
a) Manage your reaction
Your child may seek for assistance from you, but once he or she notices that you have a bitter reaction, he or she may end up being scared. Therefore, even though you might be angry, it is advisable that you cool down and try to device ways that you can make him or her improve.
Using a calm approach towards any problem concerning your child's performance is one of the best ways you can use to solve the problem.
b) Assist your child
Peruse through his or her performance on the report form and identify what exactly happened. Seek to know from your child the reasons that led to him or her attaining the grades that he or she has. This will assist you to come up with steps that will improve his or her performance.
c) Talk to his or her teacher face-to-face
This is vital, as you will be able to know the teacher's views concerning your child's level of learning, also, seek to get specific tips from the teacher on how you can assist your child improve his or her grades.
d) Schedule extra hours to assist your child
This has also helped many poor performing children improve. If necessary, you can also hire a tutor as well. If poor performance is all where your concern is, then spending extra hours with him after his normal daytime lessons at school in form of home tuition can be very important.
e) Motivate your child by praising him or her
Each time your child registers a significant improvement in his or her grades, celebrate him or her through offering rewards to make him or her feel appreciated. This boosts the morale of your child thus making him or her work even harder.
f) Monitor your child's performance
This will avoid the rise of problems again. Encourage him or her to tell you everything concerning school, teachers and assignments as well. Let your child understand that you have a great interest in his or her education and that his or her performance matters a lot to you.
We provide the best info about home tuition. For further details please visit the provided links.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mkamba_M_Juke
http://EzineArticles.com/?6-Steps-That-You-Can-Take-To-Improve-Your-Childs-Performance-In-School&id=7747723
Friday, May 10, 2013
The Option Of Home Tutoring: 3 Main Reasons To Go For It
Tutoring (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Education is one of the essential elements of humanity, and this, among other things, sets us apart from other living things.
Education is responsible for all the development we have these days, and thanks to what we have today, the generations to come will get an opportunity to develop even further.
Education is a universal right for every individual, though to some people, access to the same is not an easy task, because they do not have the resources to meet the expenses associated with education, or because they are in a section of the country, where there are no schools or teachers.
It is therefore, the responsibility of every government to look for ways that each can offer easy access to affordable education.
Home tuition is not a new concept, but it is a concept that is catching on, especially where parents want their children to excel in their academics. The following are 3 main reasons why most parents are getting tutors in their homes, and encouraging home schooling:
- The student gets specialised attention
In a school setting, the teacher has many students that he or she is looking out for, and he or she is not likely to keep repeating a concept just because a few students do not understand it.
The teacher moves at the pace of the majority, and since each student is unique, there will always be those who will not understand a particular subject.
However, home schooling ensures that the students receive the teacher's undivided attention, and this makes it easier for them to ask questions and seek clarifications for areas of concern they may have.
This specialized attention plays a major role in improving the student's performance in all subjects, and improves the speed of subject coverage.
- The teaching methodology
In a classroom setting, the teacher is most of the times limited to writing things on the board and explaining to students what the content in the books mean.
However, when tutoring from home, a teacher has access to many teaching aids, most of them visual, making it easier for the student to understand.
The tutor can make the interaction with the student as personal and involving as possible, and with this approach, chances of the student being absent-minded are very slim, and a student gets to understand most of the things that he or she learns in the sessions.
- Greater involvement of all parties
In a school setting, you find that a teacher is central in the learning process, and as noted earlier, this ought not to be the case. The student is supposed to take the central role, and this is possible in home schooling.
In addition, the parents get an opportunity to know their children better, especially if one of them is doing the tutoring, and this creates a good relationship between the students and the parents.
We provide the best info about home tuition. For further details please visit the provided links.
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http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Option-Of-Home-Tutoring---3-Main-Reasons-To-Go-For-It&id=7703041
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Debunking Six Myths About Math Tutoring
Tutoring @ Long Branch Library (Photo credit: NJLA: New Jersey Library Association) |
A math tutor can help your child to gain understanding of new mathematics concepts. Your reasons for needing a tutor may vary from those of another family.
Because math is such a vital function, a home tutor can help your child get the help she needs.
Regular Tutoring Schedule
It isn't necessary to block out an hour once or twice a week for your child to get the most benefit from a tutor. She may only need occasional help when she confronts new math concepts.
Or, she might be reviewing material she's learned in the past so she can take college entrance exams and do well. Stay in regular contact with your child's tutor and adjust it as she needs so extra support is available.
Tutors Must be Certified Teachers
While math is a specialized topic, it isn't necessary for your child's home tutor to be a teacher holding a current teaching certification. Teaching and tutoring use different sets of skills.
An effective math tutor who is consistent in helping her students knows how to communicate. He is also patient, knows what he is teaching and cheerful. Your child should feel comfortable working with him.
Tutoring is Homework Help
When you hire a tutor, don't expect him to sit next to your child and coach her through each of her math assignment problems. That is not his role.
Homework is a supplemental activity intended to reinforce classroom learning. A tutor helps his students find ways of doing math that work for them. In short, he works to help them become independent thinkers.
Cheap Hourly Rates are Best
Hiring a tutor based on his hourly rate isn't the best way to select someone to work with your child. If he isn't as effective as he could be, you'll wind up spending more money than you had budgeted.
Instead, interview tutoring agencies and ask them who their most successful tutors are. The more effective tutor will be in your home fewer times per week, and for shorter sessions.
Get Last-Minute Help Only
It's not very effective to hire a math tutor when your child is on the verge of failing a math class. Even when she is having an easy time with the material being taught, you should have a home tutor coming in and reinforcing current and past learning material.
A Math Tutor Will Take Too Much Time
Setting the groundwork for academic success is important, so set aside time for a tutor to come in and work with your child.
Sure, she may need to come home early sometimes, but when she can demonstrate mastery of a difficult subject, she might actually have more time for those extracurricular activities she enjoys, such as sports, cheer or spending time with friends.
When she can do the work more quickly, she won't have to spend long hours on math homework.
The Tutor Bright team aims to provide your child with the highest level of instruction and try to put a lifelong passion for learning. We provide tutor for elementary grades, high school & exam prep students in Toronto and surrounding areas.
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Wednesday, April 3, 2013
The 8 Traits of a Successful Math Tutor
Tutoring (Newton Free Library) |
For children struggling with math, having the support of an experienced math tutor has been proven to be crucial.
Effective math tutoring involves both teaching the solutions to math problems and also, the structure of how math works. This helps math students achieve a better grasp of the core concepts.
For those who want to become math teachers or practice math tutoring on the side, there are 8 traits that are essential for success. Those who employ these specific traits will be able to teach more effectively and convey the world of math to the student in the most efficient manner.
Preparation
In order to be a good teacher, you have to be fully prepared and versed on the subject. Successful math tutors know the material and are prepared to answer questions when they arise. Moreover, effective preparation allows for the tutor to switch gears when needed and provide proper alternatives for problem solving.
Teaching skills
For a math teacher, the ability to explain more difficult concepts in a manner that is simple and clear is a valuable skill. The use of an easy to understand language can help the student feel at ease and take the next step towards solving the problem. Furthermore, a good tutor should be able to summarize the concept quickly and succinctly.
Communication
Effective math tutoring, is not just about explaining the subject to the student, it also involves listening to them. This way, the math tutor can better understand the issues and therefore lay out a better plan to help them. By speaking clearly and concisely, the tutor can explain the concepts needed to help the child or student. By listening intently, the tutor can then help the student in the manner that best fits their needs.
Involvement
A good tutor should always elicit information from the student to help better communicate their understanding. Moreover, creating an open atmosphere so that the student can willingly ask questions is vital in establishing a good math tutor/student relationship.
Character
The professional behavior of the math tutor is very important in helping the student learn the subject. A math tutor can be funny, cheerful and humorous. But the demeanor should always be consistent and pointed in the direction of learning. That way, the student always knows what to expect.
Innovative
For math tutors, innovation means coming with the different and refreshing ways to help students understand the concepts so they can solve the problems. Extra notes, flash cards or other means can be used to shake up the sessions just enough to help elicit better learning.
Passion
Being passionate about teaching, the student success and the subject is a vital part of being a great math tutor. The passion for teaching should be present so as to keep the interest of the student.
Persistence
The single trait that locks the rest together is persistence. By continuing to present the information, listening to the student and providing innovative ways to learn, the tutor will eventually help almost everyone they teach to learn the important concepts of math.
Sam Mirs is the founder of Amazing Math Tutor, an in home tutoring company in San Diego. We provide one-on-one in home tutoring in various Math subjects such as: algebra, algebra I, algebra II, trigonometry, geometry, pre-calculus, Calculus and college level math. We are also specialized in tutoring the Math section of SAT, GRE, GED etc.
We serve all San Diego county and examples of areas are: Carlsbad, San Diego, Del Mar, La Jolla, Poway, Rancho Penasquitos, Encinitas, Solana Beach, oceanside etc.
If your child is struggling with any math subject at school, please contact us to see how our expert San Diego Math Tutors can help: http://AmazingMathTutor.com, phone: 850-360-0134
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sam_Mirs
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-8-Traits-of-a-Successful-Math-Tutor&id=7550533
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Reasons Why You Should Hire Home Tutors For Your Child
Wolfgang Helmhardt von Hohberg: "Georgica curiosa". Illustration: Father, children and private tutor. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Going to school with other children is perhaps the easiest way to educate a child in today's busy society.
This option is perfectly convenient for families, especially since a growing number of households may need both parents to work to supplement their incomes or they may have other responsibilities that can get in the way of effective home-schooling.
Sending a child to school does offer many benefits; for instance, it gives children the chance to practice their social skills, and at the same time it also helps teach them about rules in society and the importance of abiding by these.
However, sending a child to school may have a few drawbacks, and one of these is that it doesn't address each child's unique learning styles. For cases such as these, it may be necessary to hire a tutor to supplement the child's educational training.
There are many reasons why hiring home tutors is beneficial for a young learner, and the first among these is fewer distractions.
In your home, you can easily control the environment to make it more conducive to learning: you can turn off the television and computer, set a strict schedule and even design lessons with your tutor to complement your child's unique learning style. This is unlike the classroom setting, which is prone to distractions such as noise and other interruptions from your child's peers.
In addition to having less distractions, primary home tuition also allows you more freedom as to what subjects to tackle and how much. You can keep your focus on topics that your child may be struggling with before moving on to other subjects.
Moreover, you can also cover more topics in a shorter amount of time compared with classroom learning. This is because a private tutor can work with your child's pace and adapt his or her teaching strategies to make the most out of the time allotted for lessons.
One-on-one instruction is also helpful in building your child's confidence and self-esteem. This is because tailored instruction enables him to learn better, and the more your child understands and accomplishes at school, the more he becomes confident in his own abilities.
Private tutoring is also beneficial for shy children as it gives them an avenue where they can freely ask questions without worrying about the impression their inquiries will leave on their peers.
Ultimately, focused learning in the comfort of your home will help cultivate a healthy attitude towards school and a great love for learning - two factors that can help lead your child to a life of success.
When students are struggling and without the adequate individual attention, they can become disengaged. For more information regarding this services, you may visit www.aimhightuition.com.au.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nelson_James_Marco
http://EzineArticles.com/?Reasons-Why-You-Should-Hire-Home-Tutors-For-Your-Child&id=7438745
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Why As a Tutor You Should Not Take on Every Student
English: A tutor with this students in the classroom of a plantation house. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
As a tutor, you will regard your professional career as your biggest asset.
With it comes your reputation both with students and your academic peers. This reputation is the most important thing you have.
While qualifications can be earned relatively quickly to improve your skills, your reputation is much tougher to change if you have encountered professional problems which affect it.
One way to protect your reputation is to be proactive in choosing which prospective students to accept. A potential student is likely to consider which tutor they want very carefully, and you should do the same with them. A student who doesn't fit well with you can not only be a burden on your teaching job, but it can also harm their chances of getting the most out of their education.
It is part of your duty as a tutor to look out for the best interests of your students, and so if you feel that the personalities of you both do not fit well together then you must take the step of refusing that particular piece of work.
This can be better in the long run for both you and the student. There are lots of tutors available in today's marketplace so the student will be able to find a different and more suitable teacher for their educational needs.
It is certain that over your teaching career you will encounter people who have personalities which clash with yours. It is very difficult to reconcile such problems, and may be best for you to decline to teach that individual. Your long-term career prospects are more important than your short term jobs.
If your students don't trust your teaching ability they are unlikely to pay full attention to what you try to teach them. This lack of listening will lead to a very poor learning experience. If you are teaching in a multi-student environment, a small segment of students who have this kind of problem will negatively affect the rest of the class.
It is your duty as a teacher to make sure that all your students receive the best educational experience possible from your classes, even if this means that some of them are better suited to being in other classes with other tutors.
It can be difficult to know how to tutor some students - and these problems can grow over time. If you spot a problem student early on then it is much easier for everyone to rectify the issue at that stage rather than let it develop and grow into a bigger hassle later on.
Experienced tutors will tell you that problem students can lead to you spending 90% of your time with 10% of the people you teach, and this leads to worse academic performance for your entire class.
As a premium tutor you must be willing to decline to teach students who are unsuited to your teaching style, personality or the level of teaching you provide in your subject.
As your teaching career progresses, you will become better at seeing problems early on and taking proactive steps at that stage. If you're just starting out as a tutor then do not hesitate to speak to colleagues about any issues you are concerned about.
The way to enable yourself to become a premium tutor is to use a service such as tutor traits. TutorTraits.com have developed up a system that allows you, as a tutor, to position yourself in the market at the premium end of the tutoring market, in your own local area.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_Ceccon
http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-As-a-Tutor-You-Should-Not-Take-on-Every-Student&id=7428004
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Online Tutoring - The Benefits and Advantages
E-learning short courses (Photo credit: London College of Fashion short courses) |
Improve and upgrade your learning skills with online tutoring. It is the most reliable and comfortable way of getting thorough knowledge in each subject for all grades from highly experienced tutors.
This affordable tutoring program is extremely convenient to use as students can schedule an online session in accordance with their preference while sitting at home.
Studying online with the best tutors not only increases the overall learning aptitude of a student but also makes them more confident during examination time.
An online learning session covers all the required curriculum and topics, which are generally asked in the examination. It is so flexible that a student can take as many sessions as he or she need and want as the tutors are available 24 hours.
Online tutoring is an advanced learning program which can be customized in terms of subject, time, etc. to meet the educational requirement of a student. Done in a secure web environment, students get immense personalized time and the benefit of the latest learning techniques to enhance their knowledge in a specific subject.
Innovative learning methodology and qualified tutors are instrumental in making an online learning session more interesting and beneficial for students of all grades. Besides curriculum guidance, online tutors also provides homework and assignment help to the students and a last-minute tips before an exam.
Using a computer and a broadband connection, students can easily clear their doubts with the help of a tutor.
Don't restrict yourself from asking questions and clearing doubts. Just log-in to the website, create a log-in id and password, buy a tutorial package and take unlimited learning sessions with experienced tutors at any location.
In online tutoring, students can take tutoring sessions with their preferred tutors on any subject. A learning program is more active through a virtual whiteboard, which appears on the computer screen.
Through the whiteboard, students and tutors, can both do activities like asking problems, demonstrating solutions and conducting detailed assessments to gauge the knowledge of a student on a particular topic. In order to show the progress of the students, several websites provide report cards to the parents.
Asking doubts and clarifications in a classroom environment is sometimes uncomfortable for students so just switching over to an online tutoring site is the most interactive and fun way to learn. Students can get homework and assignments done, clear all their doubts from online tutors who are available round the clock to assist them.
For homework help, all they need to do is e-mail their assignment and get a detailed explanations within 48 hours from the tutors. Online tutoring is available for K-12 and beyond and also covers Test-prep.
I use face lot of problem while solving math but thanks to online math help sites which made my problems easy and understand concepts quickly. Its always better to have an online tutors who can help us in understanding the topics when ever required.
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Sunday, December 9, 2012
Hire a Tutor For Your Child
Tutoring (Photo credit: Newton Free Library) |
The learning process can be quite complex, and we may not fully understand all of its complexities during the time that we are actually taking advantage of what it has to offer.
In some cases, we are going to need to educate ourselves as to how to learn so that we can continue to progress throughout the process.
This is also something that we may need to consider for our children when we find that they are unable to keep up with the rest of the class.
For that reason, you may want to consider hiring someone who will act as a tutor for your child to give them an advantage that is not available in most secular educational systems.
Some of the reasons why you may want to consider hiring a tutor include, if you see that grades are dropping regularly, if there is anxiety before test taking, if there seems to be a loss of interest in the learning process, or if the child is reluctant to go to school.
As a parent, you will no doubt be able to recognize some of these problems with your child, and it is not always going to be something that would require you to hire a tutor. When you consider the benefits that are available through tutoring, however, it really helps to outline why you may want to consider having one available for the educational health of your child.
Something that you are going to need to consider is whether you are going to hire a tutor in your local area or if you are going to take advantage of some of the online tutoring that is available. Most children tend to be technologically advanced, and they may be able to take advantage of the tutoring that is available over the computer quite effectively.
For example, if a student needs some elementary school homework help, they may be able to log on and have a chat session with a tutor that is available when they actually need the help. This is much better than setting up a specific time and having a tutoring session, as there may not be a need at that time.
One of the benefits of hiring a tutor is the fact that it gives the personalized attention that is necessary for the student. In the public school system and in many private school systems, students tend to be lumped together into large classes.
The students that are lagging further behind tend to get the majority of the attention, and although that may be necessary, it is not always going to benefit everyone in the classroom. When you have a tutor available, it allows your child to learn at their own pace and gives them confidence and self-esteem that is not typically going to be given in a classroom environment.
In addition, it also allows your child to work with feedback that is available and is specific to their needs. When you consider all of the benefits that are available from tutoring, you will see that it is something that can help your child to advance in their educational career.
The author of this article is a college career counselor, offering parents advice to help their child succeed with school. If your child is struggling with school, he advises online tutoring especially for children and need elementary school homework help.
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Online Tutoring - Learn Quickly and Easily From The Comfort Of Your Home
Homework help (Wikipedia) |
Online Tutoring is the most convenient way to understand any subject thoroughly.
The process is quite easy and understandable to students of any grade.
The software that is used makes the entire process user-friendly and favorable to a student.
Math is one subject students most often struggle with and Online Math tutoring has become very popular in the last few years.
To access or take a Math tutoring session students only need to use their computer and broadband connection. They can opt for a tutoring session any time they feel like learning.
Additionally, this tutoring option is available to students regularly and students can take sessions as often as they want. The best part about online Math tutoring is that it offers personalized sessions.
Students can have one-on-one sessions from the comfort of their home. Seeing the ease of use and flexibility it offers, this new method of tutoring has become quite popular among the younger generation. It helps to overcome exam anxiety and learn the subject well.
The Impact of Math Online Tutoring
As online tutoring is beneficial and fun to use, a lot of the students have opted for this mode of learning to improve their performance in examinations. They choose this learning method to solve their Math problems. Online Math Tutoring is a great solution for Math anxious students, with which they can clear their doubts and get more confident about the subject.
This is a proven learning method to improve subject knowledge in any grade. It is easy, safe and moreover, several sessions in each subject can be taken as per the student's convenience. Replay option where a student can review the same session is also available and it is a good way to revise lessons, especially Math ones.
The sessions are quite interesting as it uses an online platform where students feel more comfortable. It also saves time as student doesn't need to travel to attend any class or maintain any fixed schedules.
An Easy Way to Solve Math Problems
Studying Math is not an easy step for many students. A good number of students find it much tougher to understand than other subjects and hence, they go through many unpleasant experiences while trying to solve problems.
Experts suggest that most students feel scared solving the problems as they don't have a good grounding in Math and as a result, they are not able to score well in the subject. To overcome this problem, students first need to understand the basic Math concepts and online Math tutoring is one of the best ways to do so.
It is quite easy and also offers a secure web environment where a student can feel free to repeatedly ask their doubts on Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry and other Math topics. They can understand decimals, measurement and fractions by following some easy-to-learn methods.
Online tutoring is available for 24 hours and students can choose their preferred tutors and share problems, learn concepts, work on homework and assignments with the same tutor regularly.
Online tutoring for subjects like Math is also more affordable and convenient than the classes at learning centers where students can, often enough, not get one-on-one sessions. It provides an instant connection with a tutor any time from the comfort of home.
The white board facility which allows students to write, draw and share their problems with a tutor is a useful option and makes learning subjects like Math easy. The secure chat option is also available with this whiteboard and using this, students can easily communicate with their Math tutor to overcome their Math hurdles.
Know more about math online tutoring. This article gives basic information about how online tutoring works and advantages for student.
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Friday, November 23, 2012
How To Prepare For An Organic Chemistry Tutoring Session
Chess1984 studying Organic Chemistry (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
If you have made the decision to hire an organic chemistry tutor, then good for you. But don't think that just because you hired a tutor all your problems will be solved.
It will still be up to YOU and how you approach your organic chemistry tutoring session that will ultimately determine how much value you gain from your tutor.
The first thing to realize is that despite having hired a tutor, the hard work, study, and preparation will still fall on your shoulders. If you do not put in the work and adequate preparation, you will only wind up wasting the time and money invested in tutoring.
Knowing WHAT you want to cover
All too often I'll have a student show up for a tutoring session and tell me "I need help with organic chemistry" but will usually have no idea where to start. It's not the end of the world if you need help identifying your weak points.
However, if you can take the time to outline your difficulties prior to your session you will be able to jump right into the material with your tutor. This saves you from wasting time during your actual session trying to figure out what to cover or where to begin.
Having an Outline
Once you have identified which chapter or overall topic you need help with, it helps to take this a step further. Break down the chapter, perhaps you understand the introduction but need help with the second or third sub-topic. Perhaps you get each overall concept but have a more specific question on one of the theories mentioned.
Creating an outline of exactly which topics you need help with will allow your tutor to jump right into the desired information without wasting time going through the material that you are already comfortable with.
Preparing a List of Questions
The best and most specific means of tutoring preparation is preparing a list of questions. The best way to accomplish this is by keeping a paper or sticky note on hand as you are studying. Every time a concept or question comes up that you have trouble with, make a note of it.
Write down the keyword, topic, page number, or any other pertinent information. By the time you have finished your solo study session you will likely have a detailed list waiting to be answered by your tutor.
Hopefully using this information will allow you to be better prepared for your next organic chemistry tutoring session to help you get the most out of your tutoring session time.
By the way, I do offer one on one private organic chemistry tutoring using an online screen sharing program. I also offer a wide range of study tips and organic chemistry resources on my website including orgo tutorial videos, practice material and more.
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Monday, November 12, 2012
Free Math Problem Help for School and College Students
A chord, radius, and perpendicular bisector used to illustrate how to find an equation for unknown values. Created in ms paint for tutoring example. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Students are probably used to teachers and parents telling them to work out math problems by themselves because that's the only way you'll learn math.
Much as students would like to disagree, it's probably true.
However, the problem students have with math is not limited to solving problems; it usually starts earlier and has to do with how much students understand of what they are being taught.
Instruction for math should ideally be tailored to each student's capacity and aptitude for the subject.
Students who are really good at math can cover lessons faster and go beyond the syllabus and explore topics they are interested in. Students who maintain average grades need plenty of practice and someone to explain things in a way they understand.
While following a customized approach for teaching math will turn out better informed students, it's not really possible to apply it in most classrooms across the country, due to a shortage of good teachers, time constraints and deadlines.
Find Good Math Tutors to Learn Math Easily
Using a math tutoring service is a viable solution to students' math needs. Hiring a good math tutor can make a world of difference in students math education. Tutors provide individual attention and help with math problems, at an easy pace which allows students to really absorb what they are learning.
Students have plenty of opportunity to practice all the concepts they learn under the guidance of their tutor. Online tutoring services and math help sites have a sizable repository of practice worksheets, which have a diverse set of problems. The best thing about using these practice sheets is that students have access to a variety of problems of different difficulty levels, which may not be included in text books.
Today, students can find tutoring services that fit their schedule and requirements. Unlike a couple of decades ago, when private tutoring was an expensive affair, it is possible to find affordable and good quality tutoring, particularly online. Many high school and college students opt for online tutoring over the other traditional options, because of the convenience, flexibility, and 24 x 7 help it offers.
Gone are the days of traveling to a tutoring center and working with rigid timetables. Students who learn online can schedule lessons for whenever they want and log into the sessions from just about anywhere. All you need is a computer and an internet connection, and you're all set to get all the help you need.
Students who learn online find the virtual environment comfortable and the tutors encouraging. There are many resources available online which students would not have access to in tutoring centers or with a home tutor. Online games, quizzes, and puzzles add to the fun of learning while mock tests prep students for tests and exams.
Know more about Free math help, Homework Help. This article gives basic information about Math problem help. In my Next article will try to cover more solved problems. Please share your comments.
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4 Factors That Need to Be Considered When Choosing a Tutor
A teacher and young pupils at The British Museum Duveen Gallery (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
The majority of parents find it challenging to choose the right teacher and learning center for their children.
Nevertheless, choosing a tutor is an important step, which goes a long way in improving standardized test scores or grades.
Many important factors need to be taken into consideration when selecting a tutorial company including tutorial experience, education level, subject expertise and tutorial style.
1. Records
To find an experienced teacher, it is important to consult the tutor's resume. When seeking for a tutor in small towns there may be just a few teachers to choose from. However, in a larger town, there will be a larger pool to select from.
Many of the websites feature teachers' profiles listing the experience of the teachers. You can consider requesting for references. Nevertheless, it is important to avoid being attracted by testimonials that appear on the website because there is no possible way of verifying whether they are authentic.
2. Education level
The amount/level of education acquired by the tutor can be another deceptive trait. Somebody with a PhD in a given field or 30 years of experience in teaching is not necessarily the best choice. It will be difficult to empathize with learners when the subject content appears ancient and trivial.
Choosing a teacher drawn from one of the top universities offers a better bet when you are looking for a tutor because they possess a standardized breath of education and test mastery.
3. Expertise
The subject expertise offers an easy way of evaluating. It is however a less important process particularly if you are seeking for high school teachers. Every teacher should have mastered all the necessary skills. In case you are seeking for expertise in a specific subject, it is important to select a teacher with a related college degree. For instance, if you are seeking for an English teacher you can consider selecting on that is mastered in Literature or has an English Major.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a mathematics teacher or science teacher you can consider choosing a fellow with an education in engineering with expertise in both of these areas.
4. Methods
The tutorial style is an important selection criterion that is often difficult to measure; nevertheless, it is considered the most important skill. The best way of doing this is to consider the references while keeping in close communication with the teacher once they have been hired. It is advisable to select a trainer who teaches the relevant skills to think and learn as opposed to a trainer who drills the facts.
We provide the best info about San Francisco Learning Center and bay area tutor. For further details please visit the provided links.
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Sunday, November 11, 2012
Is Home Tuition Only for Poor Students?
Tutoring (Photo credit: QuietDangst) |
Many parents have the idea that home tuition is only for poor students who are slow in learning. As a result of this stigma, many parents only resort to home tuition when all other options fail.
Typically, students who are enrolled for home tuition are students who are on the verge of failing or have been failing their exams.
So why do parents seek the help of home tutors when their children's grades are failing? This is because home tutors can provide students with the 1 to 1 specialised attention that they need. It is believed that with the extra attention, their children can do better in school.
Would good students not benefit from this 1 to 1 attention? The answer to that is no. In fact, students who are already doing well in school can achieve even greater results with the help of a private tutor. Outlined below are ways a tutor can help your already performing child.
Tutors can offer a custom curriculum designed for your child. This is seen time and time again with home tuition. The attention that your child gets from the tutor is customized to his/her need. This is contrary to the classroom environment, whereby a one size fit all approach applies.
Should your child be good in certain chapters, a tutor can choose to spend less time on it, vice versa. This ensures the most efficiency in time spent with your child.
Home tutors can provide intensive revision sessions. The consummate student will say that the secret to success is practice. This universal law applies for examinations too. The more your child is familiar with exam settings, the better he/she will do. With the help of a home tutor, your child can be sure to receive much more revision than what he can receive in school.
Schools take typically 2 weeks to complete and go through an exam paper. With home tuition, papers can be marked and feedback received by the student in a matter of two sessions. Intensive revision is really what divides above average and smart students.
Your child can get ahead of his/her peers by having extra help on school work. Students can consult tutors almost anything on any subject. This applies with school work as well. Typically, tutors would also try to cover topics ahead of syllabus.
Because of this, your child will revisit every topic during school lessons. This is beneficial as the lesson in class would be considered 'revision' for your child. Concepts taught in class would also be reinforced during lessons.
We have seen how some home tuition can help your already performing child. We would like to highlight that the best performers of any field, all have personalized coaching to help them achieve the high level of success that they desire. With the proper utilization of your home tutor, your child can scale even higher heights.
Are you finding ways to help your child improve his/her grades? Danny is a full time tutor who teaches home tuition and offers free advise on how to help your child do well in school. To find out more, please visit us at http://www.tuitionking.sg.
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