Q&A for parents and guardians that explains the details for Mathnasium@Home, the two-way live interactive online platform for learning Math: taught in real time by Mathnasium’s experienced Math instructors over the Internet.
What is Mathnasium@Home?
Mathnasium@home is our online learning platform using which our instructors provide face-to-face Math instruction in real-time over the Internet to our students. It is a combination of various tools like digital while boards, video conferencing/chat and real time collaboration over the Internet. The Learning Experience is quite similar to how they would study normally, in-person at our Center. These are NOT pre-recorded lessons or videos like Khan Academy. Rather these are our instructors teaching your child during that live session.
Study material is digital pages from each student’s customized learning plan. These give you and your child the convenience and saving of time when they cannot make it to our center due to logistical issues or their busy schedule or an extraordinary situation like the school closures at present. It allows them to keep their Math learning intact and not fall behind.
A side benefit-it gives them much needed personal interaction, accountability and motivation provided by their caring Mathnasium instructors, which no self-study program will provide.
What is the URL to launch Mathnasium@Home?
For first time sign-ups: //mathnasium.craniumcafe.com.
You will have to contact us for detailed instructions for signing up the first time. Welcome email provided after sign up contains the instructions.
Once you have signed up, the link to login to our Mathnasium@Home digital Classroom is: https://mathnasium.craniumcafe.com/garnerathomemathnasiumcom/classroom
Please bookmark or save this URL in your favorites for ALL future sessions (after you have signed up).
Will I/my child be able to get comfortable with this method even if we are not technology savvy?
Absolutely, YES! Just as children and their schools have adopted remote online learning, they surely can master this. Children are much more tech savvy than adults and in fact enjoy this ‘cool’ digital mode! Some younger children prone to distraction in classroom settings have actually got more focused work done with this one-to-one interaction with their Mathnasium instructors. And our system would provide a much richer learning experience (than remote school work where they have to mostly do self-study) as with our system they get taught by an instructor live and can always ask questions/get help on troubleshooting for any tech issues. Instructors will keep their motivation high and keep them accountable for making progress.
What computers/tablets are supported for Mathnasium@home?
Any Laptop or desktop with Windows operating system, Mac or Chromebook with internet access can be used. Currently the application will not work on iPad, Smartphones or Android tablets (iPad support is coming soon).
What browsers can be used for Mathnasium@home?
Currently, the application will work only with Google chrome or Firefox browsers. Internet explorer and Safari are NOT supported at the moment.
Do we need any other equipment?
Not at all mandatory, but we may recommend the following for an enhanced online learning experience for your child
Headphone/ Mic and Webcam - In order to reduce distraction, we highly recommend students using any basic or noise cancelling headphone with mic. Webcam, if not built in, is recommended. These will help them to interact with instructors in a holistic manner while working on math problems
Do students work on the same curriculum in Mathnasium@Home as we do at our center?
Yes, students will work on the same customized study material that our staff has determined is required for their level and considering their academic goals - i.e. combination of our Prescriptives(PKs), Work books and Focus-Ons- all this from the comfort of their home. They will work with the instructors in real time at a defined time slot, in the same way they work at our center.
How will students get help with Homework and Test Preparations?
The simplest way is for you/ your child to scan or take a photo of their homework pages and email it to us in advance of the class. We will also share a google drive homework folder where parents/ students can upload either scanned copy or picture of their school material and we will get that on the online screen where the student will work with the instructors, similar to how they would work at our center.
How will my child get the instructor's/tutor’s attention when needed while working online with Mathnasium@Home?
We will maintain the same ratio as in-center i.e. one instructor teaching 3 to 4 students each working on their own digital material in their own breakout room. Your child cannot see other children’s work nor will be able to interact with them, so there will be less distraction. While instructors will constantly be checking on each student similar to how they do in center, if a student has a question/doubt, there are multiple ways to seek that. They can use the wave (hand icon) inside the application (on the top right side). This will alert the instructors. Also, students could chat with instructors when they have questions which instructors can reply to. Plus, they are connected through headphones to provide oral instruction and explain things in detail and can video conference as required. Other locations that have adopted @Home have reported that for some children, they got more work done than when doing at the center as they had less distractions (from other students) and were engrossed in the digital experience!
Are students expected to complete the entire workbook in the same session in Mathnasium@Home?
No, similar to how the students work on pages at their own pace, they will continue to work online. They will have the ability to continue in subsequent sessions from exactly where they left off.
Do students need a separate email address to access Mathnasium@Home?
No, Parents can use their Gmail account login ID for their child/children to access Mathnasium@home. If they do not have Gmail, parents can create a Mathnasium@Home login ID with their own non Gmail email address.
Can parents use the same email address for siblings?
Yes, when siblings are not attending class simultaneously, the login can be the same. Students should exit session and logout using the menu below their Name showing Online Status.
How do you schedule Mathnasium@Home sessions?
You can self-schedule at our website under the schedule tab or by clicking here. Please reach out to us for any additional queries on this.
Also feel free to call at 919.977.1803 or text at 814.449.1329 for any last minute changes in schedule.
What if I face problems with this new tool and do you have capacity to handle so many students adopting this new method?
Please be aware that this system has had an accelerated rollout and is relatively new for all of us, and there will be some learning curve for you, your children, our instructors and staff. The accelerated roll-out also means that we MAY have some small bumps along the road! We are very confident, with your active support, we will get this to be a productive tool that will serve to maintain learning and some social interaction for your child when schools are out and beyond. This will serve your child well in future should a need arise e.g. extended vacation or inability to get regularly to the center for in-person classes due to logistical challenges. If your child faces any technical issues, while in session, ask the instructor for help. Or before/after the session, reach out to us via email or text to provide your feedback/concerns.
(919) 977-1803
(984) 400-0820
