Consider the Pros and Cons of Online Tutoring, Math Tutors, and Math Centers
Every night Bridget dreaded asking her son, Michael, about his math homework. Michael usually stomped off and returned with a crumpled worksheet and slammed it on the table. Bridget watched as Michael struggled. He kept his head down, muttered, and got more and more agitated. Often simple problems would be wrong and he didn’t even notice. Bridget later learned he was showing classic warning signs of math struggles.
When Bridget tried to help, he complained that she wasn’t doing it right and that she just didn’t understand.
He was right. She didn’t understand. She knew how she would do the problems and get the right answers. She just didn’t understand some of the tasks Michael was being asked to do.
She wondered:
- Why does he have to explain his thinking and show his work?
- Why does he make so many simple mistakes?
- What was wrong with her way of solving problems?
- What’s the deal with all the “tools” he is supposed to use, like number lines, arrays, diagrams and boxes? Tools should make things easier, not more confusing.
Negative Mood
Michael’s math homework time disrupted the whole family. Michael and Bridget fought more about math homework than any other subject. Plus, she was neglecting reading to her daughter because she was busy cajoling Michael. She went to Michael’s teacher for help.
Michael’s teacher explained how Common Core has changed math instruction. She pointed Bridget to some online resources including, the Common Core website article “Key Shifts in Mathematics”. http://www.corestandards.org/other-resources/key-shifts-in-mathematics/
The articles explained how math instruction has undergone a major paradigm shift recently. Bridget was armed with more knowledge, but homework time was still dreadful. She needed to quickly put an end to the homework wars.
She vowed to get him the help he needed to get him back on track and stop the tears and
arguments. She decided to learn about online tutoring, math tutors and math centers, like Mathnasium of Trophy Club. She wrote down the pros and cons of each option.
Online Tutoring
- It can be done in your home using technology.
- You can choose the online tutor based on factors other than geography. This is great for people living in rural areas.
- It is often the cheapest option.
- You can sometimes record or download parts of the lesson.
- It may be one-on-one.
- Some have flexible schedules.
- Goes at the pace of the child.
- May give updates about progress.
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- Technological glitches may disrupt a tutoring session.
- The internet has a lot of tutoring scams. It is definitely a “buyer beware” mentality.
- Hiring a good online tutor takes a lot of time and effort. It’s not unusual to go through several ineffective tutors before finding a good one.
- Online tutors often only work on homework and don’t address learning gaps.
- Online tutors don’t use a well-structured curriculum.
- The parent still has to supervise the tutoring session.
- Most do not give an assessment to find gaps in the student’s learning.
- Many families don’t follow through with the tutoring.
- You may waste valuable time and money because your child simply doesn’t pay attention. Many kids get distracted at home with siblings, television, cell phones, or just about anything.
- Children don’t build the same rapport with online tutors that they do with face-to-face instructors. This affects their motivation and level of participation.
- You have to buy computer accessories to communicate effectively online.
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Private Math Tutors
Benefits
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Cons
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- Some may come to your home.
- It is one-on-one and face-to-face.
- Children might build a rapport with the private tutors and may ask more questions.
- Goes at the pace of the child.
- May give detailed updates about progress.
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- Hiring a good tutor takes a lot of time and effort. It’s not unusual to go through several ineffective tutors before finding a good one.
- They rarely use a well-structured curriculum.
- They are often the most expensive option.
- Many kids get distracted at home.
- Some children develop “learned helplessness” and become dependent on their tutor and don’t attempt their math homework without the tutor being there.
- Most do not give an assessment.
- They rarely have flexible schedules.
- You must be ready to make a financial and time commitment.
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Math Center like Mathnasium of Trophy Club
Benefits
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Cons
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- Mathnasium gives a thorough assessment to find gaps in mathematical understanding.
- Mathnasium has a well-structured curriculum that focuses on number sense and numerical fluency
- Mathnasium helps with school homework as well but does not give out extra homework.
- Goes at the pace of the child.
- It is face-to-face with individual instruction.
- We use different learning styles to work with a child’s strengths.
- Students have time to work independently and get quick feedback. They learn resiliency without overwhelming frustration.
- Well trained instructors.
- Children build a rapport with the instructors and are engaged in math 97% of the time (everyone needs a stretch break sometimes).
- We provide frequent detailed progress updates.
- We have flexible schedules.
Mathnasiusm of Trophy Club Schedule
- Parents do not have to supervise the instruction. They are encouraged to go workout, run an errand, or relax.
- Personalized tutoring is often available.
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- Parents must evaluate a child’s readiness to go to a math center.
- Mathnasium only focuses on math instruction, math homework, and test prep related to math.
- You must be ready to make a financial and time commitment to improving math.
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Bridget took Michael to Mathnasiusm of Trophy Club. The director gave him a thorough assessment and the knowledgeable instructors helped him with math homework and understanding math at a deeper level. Bridget doesn’t dread asking Michael about math homework anymore. He has even started to show her some different ways to do multiplication. Most of all, Bridget loves seeing Michael smile again.
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