ON THIS PAGE:
INTRODUCTION:
The ideal relationship for tutoring is a one-on-one meeting. Sadly, in the time of COVID-19 this concept has been compromised. However, using the power of the internet, we can get back to face-time with computer hardware, software and the internet. I have set up an on-line platform that allows for direct instruction, practice and feedback to students. Chemistry, in particular, can have challenging math concepts. Problem solving practice with immediate feedback helps students gain the most confidence with these math concepts and required methods.
Students will need the following to prepare for my tutoring sessions.
Note: If you do not have a laptop computer for remote learning, check with your school. Many local school boards are allowing students who need them to borrow a laptop computer and/or wifi hotspot.
WRITTEN WORK will be an important part of the on-line review sessions.
Recently, I found an interesting article on the BBC News Worklife webpage, The benefits of note-taking by hand, that discusses the cognitive benefits of note-taking.
In particular, the article points out that "...taking notes by hand involves cognitive engagement in summarising, paraphrasing, organising, concept and vocabulary mapping — in short, manipulating and transforming information that leads to deeper understanding." While some may think that using a laptop or tablet might be faster or more efficient, "...keyboarding does not provide the tactile feedback to the brain that contact between pencil or pen and paper does — the key to creating the neurocircuitry in the hand-brain complex."
This article reinforces a viewpoint that I have held throughout my teaching career: writing something down is the best way to be engaged in the learning activity. If the only interaction that the student has with the information is sitting and listening...neither confidence nor performance will be enhanced. Taking written notes, copying an example from the whiteboard, solving a problem in writing and receiving feedback are all powerful learning tools, especially in Chemistry.
Therefore, for my review sessions students will need:
CHEMISTRY students will also need the following to get the most out of our sessions.
BIOLOGY (and other Life Science) students will not need a Data Book or similar because there are so many different concepts to look at in Biology. Your text book is your best reference. Review sessions will help you to clarify and improve your understanding of the topics and concepts.
GET STARTED:
Once you your child's teacher or your child decides that extra help in science would be beneficial, we need to open an email conversation. Please send me an email: [email protected]
In your initial email, please include the following information about your student:
Then, I would like to open a ZOOM conversation with your child so that I can understand how they feel about their class. At this point we can decide how to go forward.
- INTRODUCTION
- HARDWARE
- AUDIO/VIDEO
- SOFTWARE
- INTERNET
- WRITTEN WORK
- FOR CHEMISTRY STUDENTS
- FOR BIOLOGY/LIFE SCIENCE STUDENTS
- GET STARTED
INTRODUCTION:
The ideal relationship for tutoring is a one-on-one meeting. Sadly, in the time of COVID-19 this concept has been compromised. However, using the power of the internet, we can get back to face-time with computer hardware, software and the internet. I have set up an on-line platform that allows for direct instruction, practice and feedback to students. Chemistry, in particular, can have challenging math concepts. Problem solving practice with immediate feedback helps students gain the most confidence with these math concepts and required methods.
Students will need the following to prepare for my tutoring sessions.
- HARDWARE: you will need a laptop, Surface, iPad, or other tablet. A desk-top* computer can also be used. I don't recommend a cell-phone or mini-tablet for the basic presentations and interaction because the screen is often too small to really see what is happening on the whiteboard. A cell-phone camera might be used to take a photo of practice work to send to me via email during the session. Then I can give immediate feedback on a sample of work. A printer will be useful because some resources will need to be downloaded and printed.
- AUDIO AND VIDEO: if we are to have face-to-face tutoring, we will need to see and speak with each other. Luckily, most laptops and tablets already have a built-in camera, microphone, speaker and/or headphone jack. Using headphones can certainly help maintain student focus during review sessions. Technical notes: a desk-top* computer may or may not have external microphone and headphone jacks, but they can be installed in most desk-tops. Relatively inexpensive headphones/earbuds with built-in microphones are available at on-line outlets. Headphones/earbuds can reduce feed-back "squeal" if that is a problem. Some monitors may have a built-in camera. Some external USB web cams may have a built-in microphone. Use a support of some kind (books?) for tablets to make the session more visible.
Note: If you do not have a laptop computer for remote learning, check with your school. Many local school boards are allowing students who need them to borrow a laptop computer and/or wifi hotspot.
- SOFTWARE: please go to the ZOOM website: https://zoom.us.pricing and install the Free "BASIC Personal Meeting" version of the ZOOM app. An email account will be needed both for the app and for scheduling of tutoring sessions, announcements and exchange of written work (with a cellphone camera), etc.
- INTERNET CONNECTION: an obvious requirement...
WRITTEN WORK will be an important part of the on-line review sessions.
Recently, I found an interesting article on the BBC News Worklife webpage, The benefits of note-taking by hand, that discusses the cognitive benefits of note-taking.
In particular, the article points out that "...taking notes by hand involves cognitive engagement in summarising, paraphrasing, organising, concept and vocabulary mapping — in short, manipulating and transforming information that leads to deeper understanding." While some may think that using a laptop or tablet might be faster or more efficient, "...keyboarding does not provide the tactile feedback to the brain that contact between pencil or pen and paper does — the key to creating the neurocircuitry in the hand-brain complex."
This article reinforces a viewpoint that I have held throughout my teaching career: writing something down is the best way to be engaged in the learning activity. If the only interaction that the student has with the information is sitting and listening...neither confidence nor performance will be enhanced. Taking written notes, copying an example from the whiteboard, solving a problem in writing and receiving feedback are all powerful learning tools, especially in Chemistry.
Therefore, for my review sessions students will need:
- PAPER, PENCIL, CALCULATOR: topics, concepts, and background information will be reviewed as needed. Note-taking and written problem solving will leave the student with a "hard copy" for further reflection. The calculator does not need to be anything more than a four-function calculator. The TI-84 (or even the older TI-82 or 83 models--available used on eBay) calculator will be suitable. I see no need for a more complex graphing calculator.
CHEMISTRY students will also need the following to get the most out of our sessions.
- CHEMISTRY DATA BOOK: This is a unique requirement for Chemistry students. The study of Chemistry needs access to a lot of factual information. For example: "What is the numeric value of the Universal Gas Constant?"; "Will magnesium carbonate dissolve in water?"; "What is the charge on a strontium ion?"; or, "What is the atomic mass of sulfur?" Students should not have to memorize facts like these. Rather, this information (and much more!) can be found in a "Data Book". You may download and print your own copy of a Data Book here...it will be very useful as we review. If you are unable to print this document, let me know and I can send you a copy.
BIOLOGY (and other Life Science) students will not need a Data Book or similar because there are so many different concepts to look at in Biology. Your text book is your best reference. Review sessions will help you to clarify and improve your understanding of the topics and concepts.
GET STARTED:
Once you your child's teacher or your child decides that extra help in science would be beneficial, we need to open an email conversation. Please send me an email: [email protected]
In your initial email, please include the following information about your student:
- NAME
- SCHOOL
- GRADE IN SCHOOL
- COURSE
- CURRENT REPORT CARD GRADE
- CURRENT TOPIC CONCERNS
- PARENT CONRACT INFORMATION
Then, I would like to open a ZOOM conversation with your child so that I can understand how they feel about their class. At this point we can decide how to go forward.