Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Is Online Math Tutoring Free?

Is Online Math Tutoring Free?If you are looking for online math tutoring, then you will surely be overwhelmed by the huge number of sites out there claiming to offer what you need. These sites are full of scams and outright frauds and if you are not careful, you might end up losing your money and your time as well.First off, never accept free online math lessons as they might just be scams. The first place to check for a legitimate online math tutoring company is a simple Google search. If there are no results for a specific search term, then it is quite likely that the person running the site has put up some of the scams that are so often rampant on the internet.Unfortunately, many people just do not know what they need in order to improve their math skills. They also don't have the time to devote to being tutored because they have other things to do. If this describes you, then perhaps it is time to get more help. You can easily find a program that teaches you how to use the softwa re that you have been learning for free online, or you can even pay for a one-on-one tutoring session.Some people simply decide to go with a private tutor rather than an online service. These people are also in a situation where they are already learning from a tutor that they trust. The benefit of using a private tutor is that you do not have to worry about trying to figure out which math lesson works best for you, as they will be able to tailor-make a lesson for your learning style. Private tutors also make it possible for you to see the work that they have done and it is not uncommon for them to be more responsive to your needs.Another reason that people opt for online math tutoring over a tutor is because they are in a time crunch. If you are a college student, then the chances are good that you are very busy in the evenings and weekends. If you have to study late at night and have just a few hours to spare to be tutored, then you are just going to give up your precious time for nothing. In addition, you will also not be wasting time traveling to and from your tutor.To find out what free math lessons offer, you should first look for them on online forums. These are great places to read about people's experiences with different sites. If a forum claims that a certain tutor is not worth it, then it is wise to steer clear of that site. Most sites will have detailed reviews on the services offered, as well as individual feedback from members who have been tutored.The Internet has opened up so many opportunities in life, including math tutoring. When you do choose to use a tutor, remember that they are here to help you and not take advantage of you.

Friday, March 6, 2020

Five Strategies to improve Academic Performance

Five Strategies to improve Academic Performance Is your child struggling to improve their academic performance? Are you looking for some manageable, simple learning strategies to help them improve their academic performance? Top tutor  Scott D  has figured out the most effective strategies and techniques, based on his own experiences at university. He discovered that while some aspects of a student’s academic performance are very unique to them (i.e. their learning styles and natural aptitudes), there are several key strategies which can be applied to accelerate anyone’s performance. In this post Scott outlines five strategies to improve academic performance. Most of them are simple, but if implemented (and this is the key) they are extremely effective. Set Goals and Work Backwards The first step with any new student is to construct a set of goals. Goals enable a student to continuously track their progress and adjust accordingly. It is considerably easier to make small adjustments throughout the year, than to make a huge pivot come exam time (or after mock examination results, as is common). This helps students feel more in control, reducing anxiety during exams. The process of setting goals also enables students to plan their time more effectively and quantify their progress. This enables students to re-evaluate their performance and determine what they can achieve throughout the year. In the words of Bruce Lee, “Long-term consistency trumps short-term intensity”. When I first went to university, my initial goal was to get a 2:1. However, when I achieved a high first-class average for my second year, my long-term goal immediately changed. I adjusted what I believed was possible for me and set a new higher goal. This is how I have seen students jump several grade bounds during a single year. They set a goal, hit it early (which often surprises them, but fills them full of belief) and raise their expectations (and usually their performance). However, without setting a goal in the first place, the student cannot effectively measure, track or adjust their performance as they go. Their education becomes a shot in the dark. Use A Wider Variety of Learning Resources Using different resources is significantly more effective than using a single resource. Here are a few reasons why: You can gain different contexts and/or perspectives Overall, anything that gives you a different perspective on a theory, idea or problem will act to enhance learning. A good example of this is to look at the earth from a single image. It does give you a perspective of what earth looks like, but you never get the whole picture until you look at it from several different angles (and get several different perspectives). They can provide different associations and analogies The same is true of using different associations and analogies. Everyone has had that experience where they haven’t understood something properly, and then suddenly it clicked with an analogy that resonated with them. In my opinion, it is certainly one of the most effective ways to learn more abstract subjects, such as the sciences or maths. Different learning styles i.e. visual, auditory and/or kinaesthetic are stimulated In my experience, using resources that engage  visual, auditory and kinaesthetic have the best results for students. As a private tutor I will often start with a syllabus textbook and then gradually introduce other subject specific reading materials. I may also introduce videos, images, varied questioning and testing resources. This I find to be the most effective way for students to learn.  It can help make learning more enjoyable. There are two effective ways to memorise information: repetition and variation. While the former is very effective it is also quite tedious, particularly if it is from the same resource. Variation, on the other hand, is not only very effective but it can also make learning more enjoyable. Studies have also found that students learn better through active engagement. Get Through the ‘Frustration’ Period There is no doubt about it; trying to learn a new skill or material can be frustrating at first. However, this is a natural process and the friction caused by a lack of understanding will always disappear given enough exposure. A great analogy for thinking about these stages is learning to drive (or if you haven’t reached that stage, riding a bike). The ‘learning cycle’ suggests that we all go through four stages of learning. Here are the four stages using this analogy. Unconscious incompetence (this is when you are grossly incompetent at something because you haven’t been exposed to it before). When you start learning  to drive, you don’t know how anything works. This stage can be very frustrating and you feel completely incompetent for the first couple of lessons. Conscious incompetence (this is when you know you are not good at something despite having had some exposure to it) After a few driving lessons you begin to improve but you still cannot not drive independently. Conscious competence (this is when you become knowingly competent in some area of skill) You have taken your test and are able to drive on your own. This stage, however, still requires a lot of conscious effort to drive on your own. Unconscious competence (this is when you can do it on autopilot.  It becomes natural and subconscious) Finally, after a few months, driving becomes subconscious. One of the key challenges of secondary and higher education is getting a student to the last two stages in the learning cycle. The challenge being that many students are exposed only to new information for a few lessons at most. The problem arises when students are stuck in the ‘incompetence’ stages of learning. Frustration can lead them to avoid the subject altogether; or worse still, they start to believe they are not smart enough and develop a dislike (or even anxiety) towards that subject. We know, however, if students are able to through this ‘frustration’ phase they will grow in confidence and self belief. Sharpen Your Examination Techniques It might sound obvious, but you don’t get good at driving a car by taking the theory test (using my car analogy, again). You have to physically get in the car and start to drive. Likewise, you don’t get good at exams just by learning the content tested in the exams. Mastering examinations is a skill all of its own, much like essay writing and giving oral presentations. Yet, surprisingly, I have found many students fail to practice the techniques required to do well. These techniques do depend on the individual’s level of education but typical questioning generally progresses from description to explanation to discussion. At GCSE level, you are focusing much more on the former. The typical prefix to questions will be: Describe Explain Suggest These are usually combined with the open-ended questions: what, where, when, why and how. At this level, the examiner is typically looking for keywords. At higher levels, the questions start to incorporate discussions. These require more thought and structure, typically combined with your own research, opinions and case studies. Exam technique requires an article of its own. Nevertheless, one useful tip is to always put yourself into the mind of the examiner when answering questions; and when practicing, always have the mark scheme to see exactly what keywords the examiner is looking for.  5.  Practice Exams In his TED Talk “What do top students do differently?”,  Douglas Barton of Elevate Education discussed how top students don’t necessarily get the top grades because they have the highest IQ’s or even because they work the hardest (although there is usually some correlation with the latter). It was because they do more practice exams. Their study, based on a 13-year process looking into the learning habits of tens of thousands of students, found that they could almost perfectly estimate a student’s results based upon the number of practice exam papers they had done. I cannot disagree with this. Here are a few of the many benefits associated with practicing exams: Recognisable patterns will begin to form in the questioning and content Applying knowledge to different types of questioning will become easier. Using additional resources supplied with the exam will become more familiar. The structure of the exam will make more sense. You will become faster and less prone to silly mistakes Ultimately you will sharpen the techniques I discussed in the section above and become more aware of what the examiner (or mark scheme) is looking for. One of the most common problems I see is when a student is knowledgeable in the subject area but cannot connect that with answering a question. This is simply a symptom of lack of practice. So there you have it. These are my top  five strategies to improve academic performance. I guarantee that if you apply these strategies from the beginning of the year you will be shocked at how far you progress by the time you have to sit an exam. If you would like to contact Scott D to arrange private tutoring please contact him through his Tutorfair profile. Scott is a Maths and Science specialist as well as a learning coach with many years experience in tutoring. Alternatively search on Tutorfair for an ideal tutor in your area.

Writing How I Learned Its Okay to Ask For Help

Writing How I Learned It's Okay to Ask For Help As I embarked on my journey to become an English teacher, I would find myself worrying about my abilities as a writer. After taking a class my first semester that showcased my weaknesses as a writer, I began to question myself and wondered if maybe I had mistaken the calling I was so sure I had heard. Along the path on the rest of my three-year journey, however, I have found inspiration and have also come to realize that to love the English subject, I do not have to have the words or vision of Jane Austen or Emily Dickinson. In other words, I do not have to be a naturally great writer. I discovered that when I started seeking help and additional resources, I was not only able to achieve better grades, but I was also able to grow as a writer. We all have those moments in life that make us question everything. While attending Wake Tech Community College, I took an Argument-Based Research class. That class was that moment for me. Here I was, making the biggest decision of my life to l eave a job I’d been at for ten years to be an English teacher, and I am struggling with an English class. To be clear, I was by no means failing, but I was not getting all A’s and B’s either. I never understood what my instructor wanted from me and would spend hours on papers that received nothing but criticism and low grades. I was frustrated and I was too prideful to admit I was struggling or to seek help, but when my teacher decided to offer, I hesitantly accepted. The first time I sought out extra help was on my second paper for Argument-Based Research. My instructor assigned three major essays and three mini-essays. She realized that a lot of us were not understanding what she expected us to do after the first major essay, so she held an online webinar to walk us through the first mini-essay. I went to the gym and then, instead of meeting my friends for post-workout libations, I went home to participate in this webinar. I did not expect it to help, but I figured it coul dn't hurt either. My instructor took us step-by-step through her rubric and I outlined my paper as she continued. Once I had the organization of my paper down, it was easy to write the rest. I got an A! Then came the second mini essay. Feeling more confident this time, I wrote the paper without additional help and got a B, and more criticism. Feeling defeated once again, I asked my instructor for advice. Her advice has helped me write every paper I’ve written since then during my college career. Tutoring was not something I ever felt I needed. I was the one that made good grades naturally without studying. When my instructor suggested I send my papers to the tutoring center for revision, I was taken aback at first. I told my dad about the conversation, and he assured me that there was no shame in seeking extra help. So I did it, and my paper came back with positive comments as well as a ton of feedback. I was overwhelmed at first, and a little discouraged, but I read through the c omments and realized that I had been understanding some concepts wrong the whole time. One example that I remember is that I would refer to society as plural rather than singular. I also would slip out of third person without realizing it, which in the future, taught me to read my papers back to myself out loud. I made the necessary changes and got an A on my next paper, as well as the ones after that. While the tutoring center at Wake Tech was my greatest resource, I had to leave it behind when I began attending NC State in the Fall of 2015. Through my journey as a writer, I have learned lessons that will help me in the future as an educator. For example, if I am stuck or feel like I am not being effective in my lessons, I know it’s okay to seek help and additional resources. I realize that I do not have to be “great” at everything the subject of English requires of me. Proficient, yes, but not great. I also learned that there are people that want to help others succeed, and I hope to be one of those people to my future students.

Thursday, March 5, 2020

What You Need to Know About Office Etiquette

What You Need to Know About Office Etiquette via Pixabay Be On Time Nobody likes waiting for someone to start a meeting. Nobody likes walking in late to a meeting after it has already started. So, to avoid both of these situations, try your best to be on time to meetings and into the office in the morning. Time management can be difficult for some people, especially during an especially busy day. Set reminders on your phone before meetings so you don’t lose track of time and can prepare to leave. If you are in charge of scheduling meetings, make sure you have enough time to travel from meeting to meeting instead of scheduling them back-to-back. Punctuality is one of the biggest forms of office etiquette. Be Conscious While on the Phone If you work in an open office or with cubicles, be conscious of how loudly you are speaking on the phone. While you may be on a work call, someone near you may be trying to concentrate on a project distracted by your conversation. Keep your voice at a lower level so you don’t disturb any of your coworkers. When it comes to personal calls, keep them short or take them away from your desk. Go into the break room, lounge or lobby, or outside if you really have to talk. You don’t want to lay your personal life out for everyone in the office. Clean Up After Yourself This one may seem pretty obvious, but how many times have you seen a dirty dish in the communal kitchen or trash in the bathroom? In order to keep a clean workplace, you have to clean up after yourself. If you heat up your lunch in the microwave and it splatters, make sure to wipe it down with a paper towel so it’s clean for the next person. Throw out your trash instead of leaving it on the break room tables or on the floor in the bathroom. Your coworkers will definitely appreciate it. via Pixabay Pay Attention in Meetings Remember back in high school when you weren’t allowed to use your cell phone during class because it was rude and you should pay attention to what your teacher had to say? Take that mentality into office meetings as well. Part of office etiquette is paying attention during a meeting and actively listening to whoever is leading the meeting. That means taking notes, asking questions, and making eye contact. If you have to answer a text or call that is work-related, quietly excuse yourself from the meeting. Stay Home When You’re Sick It may be tempting to go into the office if you are sick because you have deadlines, important meetings, or don’t feel like using one of your sick days. However, keep in mind that your healthy coworkers do not want to catch your sickness. When you go into the office when you are sick, you put everyone at risk. The best thing to do is to stay home and rest so you can get better as quickly as possible. That way you can go back to work and catch up on missed work. Use Punctuation in Your Emails The emotion and meaning of texts and emails can be hard to gauge without proper punctuation. While it may seem childish to use exclamation points at the end of sentences, it may be necessary when sending emails. “Nice job on this project! Thanks, Michelle,” sounds a lot better than “Thanks. -Michelle.” Don’t be afraid to be friendly towards your coworkers. Don’t overdo it on the emojis or exclamation points though. Be Respectful The number one rule of office etiquette is to always be respectful of everyone you work with. While you may not necessarily like everyone you work with, you still have to be respectful and kind. That means holding the door open for someone, greeting your coworkers, and working together as a team when necessary. When you show others respect, you will receive respect. Learn Office Etiquette If you are unsure of what office etiquette means, start with these simple tasks. Overall, just be respectful and considerate of your coworkers. You all share the same space, so why not make an effort to keep it clean and comfortable for everyone? With these office etiquette practices, you’ll be extremely pleasant to work with in the office.

5 Principles to Help Your Child Excel - ALOHA Mind Math

5 Principles to Help Your Child Excel We thought we would share the following 5 essential education and life principles to help your children excel as they prepare to go back to school. Teach Your Child to Reach for the StarsHave them write down their hopes and visions each year. Throughout life we have the tendency to let go of our lofty goals because of fear. Lead them to talk openly about their hopes and dreams. Be supportive. Encourage your child to not give up, especially during challenging times and, especially when obstacles get in the way. Support your children to dream big. Parents can create a book of their vision. Ask them to draw what they want to be, write a brief paragraph explaining what they would do, and what it would mean to them to achieve their dream. By them putting their ambitions on paper helps the child visualize their aspiration. Allow and Teach Your Child to be Inquisitive-Inventors like Ben Franklin and Steve Jobs were innately curious about why and how things worked. Provide your kids opportunities to think outside the box. Take them to a Science and Industry Museum or a Children’s Discovery Museum. Provide options where active learning can take place up close in different environments. Teach Your Child the Importance of Education-Obtaining a college education and buying a house are some of the American dreams. Attending college may seem like a lifetime away to children or an un-achievable dream, but once achieved no one can take away your diploma or degree. Children need to be self-assured in who they are to ask probing questions. In order for a child to be inquisitive it is also important he or she feels comfortable asking and answering questions â€" either in class, after class, after school, and at home. Teach Your Child to Accept Mistakes and Learn from Them They are starting a new school year which means new teachers, friends, and new concepts. They may meet many challenges in the school year. Teach your child to allow themselves to accept, but learn from their mistakes. The next step is to instruct them on how to solve their own problems. Teach Your Child to Realize They Can Do Anything They Put Their Mind to Do The mind is miraculous. Parents usually see the capabilities and talents of their children long before they do. This is likely why some children may by surprised of their own successes when others knew they had the ability all along. Give them nudges of encouragement. Provide constructive feedback. Most of all consistently tell your children they can be whatever they want to be and achieve whatever they want. How did Howard Schultz, founder of Starbucks, who grew up in the projects in Brooklyn achieve success and build a household name? In his own words, I wasnt afraid to create a company that no one initially believed in… Dream more than others think practical. Expect more than others think possible. Care more than others think wise. What are your dreams? What else should we add to this list that you teach your children?

Announcing upcoming jobs in Kuwait!

Announcing upcoming jobs in Kuwait! Teach Away is currently hiring for jobs in Kuwait! Following successful North American interviews for schools in the UAE and Egypt, Teach Away is arranging upcoming interviews for teaching jobs in a brand-new American elementary school in Kuwait. Candidates who hold a valid teaching license and a Bachelors degree in Education are encouraged to apply.A degree in Elementary Education and experience or training in education technology are preferred.Jobs in KuwaitTeaching jobs at this American elementary school offer a  tax-free salary based on qualifications and experience, as well as a number of benefits for individuals hoping to teach in Kuwait:Accommodation provided by the schoolRound trip airfareHealth insurance provided by the employerSummer vacation plus time off for all national holidaysResettlement allowance to help with the cost of relocationShipping allowanceContract renewal bonusTuition discount for young dependantsFamilies and teaching couples are welcomeFor full job details , as well as a list of available positions, please see our list of teaching jobs.  Interviews will be held in Atlanta (February 19 - 20), Houston (February 22 - 23), and New York (February 25 - 26). Candidates who have already applied with Teach Away should feel free to contact janette (at) teachaway-dot-com directly to state their interest.Teach in KuwaitFlexible, open-minded teachers with 2-3 years of experience in their teaching subject should consider teaching in Kuwait as a way to broaden their experience, discover a new region of the world, and earn a lucrative salary package. Though every teacher has different spending needs and habits, jobs in Kuwait generally provide teachers with the opportunity to save a large percentage of their salaries.Kuwaiti culture is friendly and family-oriented, although teachers in Kuwait will also find thriving fashion and shopping districts. For educators hoping to work in the Middle East, teaching in Kuwait provides an excellent opportunity to experience life in this dynamic region.Looking for more information? Visit our Teach in Kuwait page for details about life and work in Kuwait.

An Online Tutoring Blog For Special Needs Parents

An Online Tutoring Blog For Special Needs ParentsAn online tutoring blog can be a great resource for parents of children with learning disabilities. They are the perfect answer to address questions and queries and offer advice and tips for parents of students with special needs.Writing an online tutoring blog requires some skill, however. It is important to make sure that the posts are informative and well-written so as to help parents get the most out of them. Many parents have found that using word processing software and professional writing skills, coupled with good grammar and style can help increase their reading level and help boost their confidence.Writing an online tutoring blog may require the creation of several different posts so as to allow parents to view them all in one location. This means that they need to choose the best way to organize them, the most appropriate way to create new content and encourage the parents to participate by adding comments and posting on the blog, among other things.Parents will also want to offer useful information and parenting activities to parents as well as the children that will be included in the blog. Most parents prefer to post personal information about themselves and others while others post their parenting information. One should remember that parents with special needs will be more inclined to read blogs and perhaps ask questions if they feel they have been provided with enough helpful information.The success of an online tutoring blog depends on the site creator and how well he or she has prepared the content. Writing and editing a blog is similar to writing a real book. If the blog author is not knowledgeable and good at writing, it may not be successful for the reason that the content may not be sufficiently informative.To insure quality content, one should seek the help of someone who is experienced in blog writing and editing. Some bloggers offer editing services through pay per post and others allow individuals to submit their own content. Most blog site owners to post content in articles format, which makes it easier for readers to navigate and find what they need.Blogs that have the ability to track comments from the parent's computer, and allow visitors to vote for or against the blog post, are a very effective way to grow a forum for parents and students to communicate. Parents may also use the blog to ask questions that they may have about teaching children with special needs. A blog has become an easy and inexpensive way to let parents share their experiences and put forth positive comments about what has worked and what has not worked.