Parents are calling and setting up tutoring appointments almost every day. Math is the biggest draw. Some students just need help because all the work their teachers are piling on is making them overwhelmed.
Academic coaching takes time and energy from the students to improve their performance. A student can't have two coaching sessions and become a great golfer. It takes commitment from both the student and the coach.
Sometimes a student can understand the current material they are learning but the lack of a background of the subject matter can hurt their grades. I like to find out where the student is weak and build them up from that point.
If fractions were a problem in fourth grade, they will continue to haunt the student in pre-calculus.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
From NYTimes The Brain Trainers
This summary from the article written by Dan Hurley published 11/3/2012.
I have not heard of them yet in San Diego but there are "brain training franchises". Their goal is 'to improve cognitive skills'. This is a different than tutoring because their goal is " to enhance comprehension and the ability to analyze and mentally manipulate concepts, images, sounds and instructions".
The one error I saw right away was, "We measure every student pre- and post-training with a version of the Woodcock Johnson general intelligence test". I was taught to administer this test every two years. If students take it more regularly they can memorize some of the questions and the correct answer. This leads to a imaginary cognitive gain.
The LearningRx fees are $80 to $90 per hour which is more than I am charging now. I teach or tutor so the student learns the necessary material and how to succeed at taking a test on that material.
I do like the comparison of hiring a personal coach to improve a child's sports ability to hiring a academic coach to help with the child's success with school. Sometimes, the word tutor, makes a student feel like they are unsuccessful but the word coach, implies the student is receiving a benefit to be the best that they can be.
I do feel they find success with their model because the more exercises you do to improve your mind will help. They will help you perform faster and with more success. The brain can improve but many of us don't take the time or the energy to help it along.
I have not heard of them yet in San Diego but there are "brain training franchises". Their goal is 'to improve cognitive skills'. This is a different than tutoring because their goal is " to enhance comprehension and the ability to analyze and mentally manipulate concepts, images, sounds and instructions".
The one error I saw right away was, "We measure every student pre- and post-training with a version of the Woodcock Johnson general intelligence test". I was taught to administer this test every two years. If students take it more regularly they can memorize some of the questions and the correct answer. This leads to a imaginary cognitive gain.
The LearningRx fees are $80 to $90 per hour which is more than I am charging now. I teach or tutor so the student learns the necessary material and how to succeed at taking a test on that material.
I do like the comparison of hiring a personal coach to improve a child's sports ability to hiring a academic coach to help with the child's success with school. Sometimes, the word tutor, makes a student feel like they are unsuccessful but the word coach, implies the student is receiving a benefit to be the best that they can be.
I do feel they find success with their model because the more exercises you do to improve your mind will help. They will help you perform faster and with more success. The brain can improve but many of us don't take the time or the energy to help it along.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)