Over the course of the last few months, I have had the pleasure of tutoring two young men in various subjects. However, our main focus was math. These two boys are brothers, but they are in two separate grades. While the oldest is in the 8th grade, working on Pre-Algebra concepts, the other is in 6th grade, working on several beginning concepts that are setting the foundation for his upcoming math courses.
For me, tutoring consists of several things. When I first arrive, the boys join me at the table with all of the materials they will need for the day. We begin by working on their assigned homework before moving on to additional practice in other areas. Halfway through the session, I stop what we are working on and allow them to participate in a fun activity. These activities have varied from eating a snack to having a competition to see who could solve a word puzzle the quickest. My reasoning behind these breaks is simply that: it gives the boys a break from instruction, practice, support, and thinking too hard. It gives them a second to step back and breathe. It gives them the opportunity to have fun in the middle of a serious part of their day.
Despite their closeness in age, it's sometimes hard for me to assist both boys at the same time. After a little research, I found an online tutoring program called Khan Academy. Khan Academy is targeted for students in any grade, and provides lessons and games for just about any subject. While assisting one student on his homework, I would allow the other to play games, which are stimulated quizzes. Then we would switch. There are several positives that I have been able to notice with this particular organization.
Khan Academy provides the student with resources that assists them in their learning. If there is a concept the student does not understand, there are YouTube videos linked directly into the lesson that students can engage themselves in. Furthermore, the stimulated quizzes require that students answer five consecutive questions correctly. That's right, consecutive. If a student misses the 4th question, they must then start back over at one. I praise this method because students are given the chance to practice the same type of problem repeatedly. It encourages practice and attention. Another positive I enjoy is the availability to track the performance of students. I am able to go in and look at their progress at any given time, which provides me with additional feedback on needs for each boy that I may miss when assisting them with their general school work.
Overall, I encourage the use of technology whenever working with students. With the society constantly changing and the use of technological sources increasing, it is important in their structure of learning. Technology has many great values and I have been so thankful for the opportunity to use this program throughout my time with these students. With the availability of resources higher than ever, people of all ages have the opportunity to explore anything; including themselves. It's never too late to learn something new, and at any given age, you can learn anything.
Khan Academy is free, so sign up today!!
Despite their closeness in age, it's sometimes hard for me to assist both boys at the same time. After a little research, I found an online tutoring program called Khan Academy. Khan Academy is targeted for students in any grade, and provides lessons and games for just about any subject. While assisting one student on his homework, I would allow the other to play games, which are stimulated quizzes. Then we would switch. There are several positives that I have been able to notice with this particular organization.
Khan Academy provides the student with resources that assists them in their learning. If there is a concept the student does not understand, there are YouTube videos linked directly into the lesson that students can engage themselves in. Furthermore, the stimulated quizzes require that students answer five consecutive questions correctly. That's right, consecutive. If a student misses the 4th question, they must then start back over at one. I praise this method because students are given the chance to practice the same type of problem repeatedly. It encourages practice and attention. Another positive I enjoy is the availability to track the performance of students. I am able to go in and look at their progress at any given time, which provides me with additional feedback on needs for each boy that I may miss when assisting them with their general school work.
Overall, I encourage the use of technology whenever working with students. With the society constantly changing and the use of technological sources increasing, it is important in their structure of learning. Technology has many great values and I have been so thankful for the opportunity to use this program throughout my time with these students. With the availability of resources higher than ever, people of all ages have the opportunity to explore anything; including themselves. It's never too late to learn something new, and at any given age, you can learn anything.
Khan Academy is free, so sign up today!!
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