Category Archives: tutoring

study tools, tutoring

Why Social Studies Matters

social studies

Social studies is concerned with a wide array of disciplines that impact and affect human society on different levels. At the school level, social studies is a commonly taught subject and can include geography, history, anthropology, sociology, political science, and so on. Social studies is inherently important to any school curriculum because it teaches children the value of good behavior, ethic, and civics and molds them into better more productive citizens. Not to mention it is invaluable for any democratic society with global values. 

When your child goes to school and then grows up further, they will undoubtedly need to interact with other children from other cultures or will read about them. Social studies provides a kind of map that can be followed for children to know how to live and behave in society and understand its underlying mechanisms. 

Continue reading Why Social Studies Matters →
SAT, test prep, tutoring, Uncategorized

Should You Hire an SAT or ACT Tutor?

Hiring a test prep tutor might just be the best investment you can make toward a college education. It may seem like a large investment, but the return you receive on the investment can be astronomical.

Consider this:

  • You pay $100 an hour for 5 hours for a test prep tutor = $500
  • Your student scores as well or better than the state index and qualifies as a National Merit semi-finalist
  • Colleges who have money set aside for the finalists will use merit aid to entice your student to attend: full tuition, room and board, books and fees, laptops, study abroad and even spending money.
  • Your student receives a full-ride scholarship for thousands of dollars
Continue reading Should You Hire an SAT or ACT Tutor? →
college prep, parenting, tutoring

Does Your Student Need Tutoring Outside the Classroom?

tutoring

As parents, we all want the best for our children’s education. That’s why we often spend a fair amount of time selecting the right school based on everything from school table ratings to student testimonials. Yet, after these initial attempts to get schooling right, it’s surprising how many parents sit back and assume that their children will go on to flourish. 

Unfortunately, as many parents go on to realise, not all children are created equal – a school situation that’s ideal for one could well hold another very much at the back of the class. In this respect, it doesn’t matter how highly rated or competitive your school of choice; the chances are that outside help from an English tutor or similar would still benefit your child. Far from being a sign that you made the wrong schooling choice, this is simply a testament to the different ways in which children learn and can fast help your child get back on track if you act quickly. 

Here, we’re going to help you do just that by considering a few of the most obvious signs that your child could benefit from outside assistance like this. 

Continue reading Does Your Student Need Tutoring Outside the Classroom? →
Guest Posts, test prep, tutoring

The Advantages of One-on-One Test Prep Tutoring

2 Comments

 

test prep tutoring

Standardized testing can be stressful at best, terrifying at worst. An experienced private tutor offers students a huge advantage with their preparation. By devising a blueprint to prepare for these exams, students can reduce anxiety and drastically improve their scores. Here are some advantages of one-on-one test prep tutoring:

Stress Reduction

As I mentioned previously, the amount of stress during college application time can be overwhelming. Your child not only has to deal with school, maybe a job, and also think about being accepted to college. A tutor will reduce the stress of having to figure out testing dates, scheduling, and will customize a study plan that is specific to your child’s needs. Your child will also feel more at ease knowing the material they will test on, which will ultimately increase their chances at a higher score.

Target Strengths & Weaknesses

No student learns the same. One one one tutoring is the most customizable way of learning. A tutor will assess the student’s strengths and weaknesses, and customize a study plan. Applying a customized plan, will help your child focus on areas that are challenging that they might have otherwise overlooked. Not all students gain the same knowledge in school.

Strategies That Work

A tutor will instill test taking tactics that will alleviate wasted time. Tutors not only teach vocabulary and math formulas but can also suggest new approaches and strategies for questions. This will in turn help with time management and better decisions during test time.

Quality in Teaching

You get to pick a tutor to best match your child’s learning style, schedule, and your budget. While your child might be in the ten percentile of their class, they are also competing with the rest of the students trying to get into the same college. Not all students get the same background knowledge needed to excel at standardized testing. A one on one tutor will focus on managing your child’s unique learning style.

Motivational Boost

The tutor – tutee relationship can give your child that motivational push by encouraging a higher level of thinking. A good tutor not only provides your child with test taking information and different approaches, but can also help as motivation in this sometimes overwhelming undertaking. Tutors have been in their shoes, and they know what it is to feel overwhelmed during this time.

College Scholarships

Let’s face it, college is expensive! However, some colleges and universities offer awards based on test scores. It is no secret that the higher a student scores the higher the chances of receiving scholarship awards. It is important to note that some colleges give automatic scholarships for SAT/ACT scores. Good test preparation will return more than its cost in scholarship awards.

Ultimately, a good one on one tutor will help your child target strengths and weaknesses, alleviate stress, promote motivation and provide test taking and study abilities they can utilize later in life. A good tutor will strengthen the pathway to your child’s college career.

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Today’s guest post is from Idalia Gastelum, a private SAT tutor for Parliament Tutors. She offers tutoring in Miami, FL.

admissions, college guidance, tutoring

3 Tips to Help Your Child Prepare and Get Accepted to a Great College

 

collegeMost parents are thinking about their child’s collegiate future from the moment they enter high school, if not before. Some students are proactive about choosing a dream college and back-up options, while others need extra guidance from their parents to make those decisions. And regardless of whether your child is applying to one school or ten, the application process and months leading up to it are probably stressful for you as well!

You want to make sure they do their best work throughout their high school years, building up the knowledge and experience that will serve them in college, plus that they’ll put their best foot forward with the application process to increase their chances of being accepted. If this sounds like something you’re experiencing, here are some helpful tips you can follow to help your child prepare and be successful.

1.  Find a volunteering opportunity to share with your child.

The benefits of volunteerism are plentiful. Kids who volunteer learn about an important social cause and that they have the ability to make a positive impact on the world around them, even in a small way. It’s a great bonding experience for parents and children to do together. It also makes a meaningful addition to any resume.

2. Help your child raise low grades.

Tutoring is a great resource for students of all ages. Tutors are trained to help students study and learn specific subject matter plus develop learning strategies that they can employ in the future. Students who partner with a tutor not only have the opportunity to bring up their grades, but to value the importance of working to overcome difficulties. They also learn that they are capable and competent learners, even in subjects that don’t come naturally to them.

3. Encourage your child to pursue a passion.

High school students have a lot to focus on as they prepare for college life. Many juggle schoolwork with part-time jobs, obligations at home, and time with friends. They can improve their quality of life and maybe even open the door for new opportunities in the future by pursuing a hobby with fervor and merging it with their academic interests. For example, if they love skateboarding, help them look for opportunities to take that interest to the next level. Are there any local competitions at which they can volunteer their time or a skate shop where they can work a day or two a week? If they’re an aspiring writer, can they volunteer to write an article for a local publication about the skating community where you live? Your child will appreciate the support you provide and feel empowered to pursue things that are of interest to them.

Most parents will attest to the fact that the best approach to take as you help your child prepare for college is to be their partner in the process. Consider their natural talents and interests, and help them get the support they need to excel in those areas that they find more challenging. By being a strong support system for them, you’ll be able to give them the extra tools and guidance they need to choose and be accepted into an excellent college.

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 dusty foxDusty Fox is a full-time world traveler and freelance writer who contributes to the Ivy Trainers network. Visit the Ivy Trainers website to learn more about the services they offer.

 

tutoring

4 Ways a Tutor Can Help

 

In the 2009 film The Blind Side, one of my favorite characters was Michael’s tutor Miss Sue. Played by the charming Kathy Bates, Miss Sue wouldn’t let Michael quit when he became fed up with writing assignments, algebra problems or choosing the best college.

If your son or daughter is already college bound, it probably sounds unnecessary to think about hiring a tutor. After all, they have already made the grades they need. However, there are some surprising impacts which the right tutor can have in your teen’s life. And these unexpected benefits might be just what your family can use during the crazy season which comprises the final years of high school.

So here are 4 reasons that parents counting down till college might want to consider investing in a good private tutor Singapore for their prospective college student.

Tutoring help
Image from thematadorsghs.com

1. Help! I’m Drowning!

In junior and senior years there is an overwhelming process of both beginning a new phase and closing an old one. Usually by tenth grade, high schoolers are already practicing for college entrance exams like the SAT or the ACT. From there on, it’s a mad dash to visit colleges, attend scholarship days, continue doing well in advanced classes, take rigorous tests, fill out applications, commit to a school, graduate and then hopefully breathe.

The calming presence of a tutor can serve as extra help with remembering guidelines and crafting college essays. A good tutor should be able to give useful guidance during this hectic time and help students focus on what is important.

2. Learning  Skills

Another benefit of tutoring for teens is that they provide help with establishing valuable skills before kids go off to college. Organizational and planning skills along are imperative. Enhancing study skills, learning to speed read and ensuring that students write proficiently are also helpful in college.

And if a student is preparing for that daunting SAT exam, then a tutor may be able to offer tips and practice for success while instilling confidence in a seemingly pivotal time when it is easy to feel that the rest of life hangs on the outcome of one test.

3. Stress Relief

Preparing for college is an exciting time. But it can also be stressful as many important decisions are considered and life remains busier than ever. Bringing in a third party who is not quite as emotionally involved as you and your teen are might just be a good way to save your relationship with your child. You can find a tutor here who can help work with a student when your involvement results in tension.

4. Steady Presence

One of the best things about bringing in a tutor is that you can choose a positive influence over your teen in the last years that you have left with him or her. An older tutor, such as a retired teacher, might be able to speak experience into the situation. Younger tutors, perhaps a college students themselves, can have a different but equally beneficial impact as they are able to speak firsthand experience and relate to your child. In either direction, a tutor may be the perfect person to help foster enthusiasm back into your child when the worry of deadlines and decisions detracts from the excitement of graduation and beginning college.

So whether it is practicing timed essays for the SAT or reviewing South University accreditation, a tutor may be just the figure your child needs during the wonderful but challenging season of pre-college.

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This post is brought to you by Jessica Socheski, a freelance writer who specializes in articles on general tutoring.

college guidance, college planning, organization, parenting, social networks, technology, test prep, tutoring

Tech resources for the college-bound

 

tech resourcesTonight’s #CollegeCash Chat was centered around available tech resources for the college-bound and their parents. Following is a short transcript of the questions and answers with all the links I provided. As a parent myself and a parent advocate I understand the frustration with the college admissions process. It’s my hope that you will find some tools here that will make the process easier.

Q. Is there a lot of technology out there that benefits students and parents when it comes to college? 

  • We now have online sites for just about every part of the college admissions process and stay organized
  • Multiple apps are also available to help parents and students while they are on the go
  • Smartphones and portable devices like the iPad have made the college prep process easier

Q. Are SmartPhones necessary for our kids leaving for college? 

  • Every college student needs a smartphone–here are some features you should look for: http://bit.ly/151BUJj
  • Smartphones help them communicate, socially interact, store and process information, and enable social networking in class
  • An added bonus to the smartphone is the ability to stay in touch with parents via facetime, texts, and location apps

Continue reading Tech resources for the college-bound →

admissions, college apps, college costs, college guidance, college housing, college majors, college planning, college visits, dorm life, financial aid, parenting, scholarships, student loans, test prep, tutoring, Uncategorized, websites

Comprehensive List of College Info Websites

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college planning

Here’s a current comprehensive list of my picks for college info websites. Do you have any additional suggestions?

COLLEGE BLOGS

ParentingforCollege.com–You will find the MOST information ere olege news. Come here first to find the latest and bhest tools to hn our blog: college guidance, college planning, college coaching, and colelp you navigate the college maze.

TheCollegeSolutionBlog.com–An excellent resource for college-bound teens and their parents: admissions, testing, and financial aid.

UniversityLanguage.com/blog–Great blog articles about everything related to college admissions geared toward students.

GreatCollegeAdvice.com/blog–An excellent resource about the college admissions process providing expert advice helping students map their college journey.

USNews.com/Education–The education channel of U.S. News and World Reports providing the latest news and information related to college.

CollegeBasics.com–An excellent resource for information about college essays, college applications and high school resumes.

InsideHigherEd.com/blogs–Several different blogs related to higher education.

CollegeAdmissionsPartners.com/blog–An expert blog dedicated to helping students find the right college.

CollegeFocus.com/colleges–A virtual clearinghouse of blogs related to college life, parenting, college searches, etc.

Road2College.com–You can find just about any topic related to college prep at this site: financial aid, college planning, student loans, test prep, and more.

PARENT SITES

UniversityParent.com–A site where parents can ask questions, gather information, and download and view college guides and campus newsletters.

CollegeParentCentral.com–A blog created to give parents useful information about college and the college admissions process.

YourCollegeKid.com–A site with parent forums and other college prep tools.

CollegiateParent.com-A site dedicated to providing parents with information for their college students.

FINANCIAL AID

Fafsa.ed.gov–The official government website for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

SallieMae.com/plan–A FREE education investment planner that will help determine college costs, compare college costs, and provides information about student loan repayments.

SavingForCollege.com–Everything you need to know about financing a college education.

FinAid.org–An excellent resource for the answers to all your questions regarding college financial aid.

CollegeFinancialAidAdvisors.com–Help with the college financial aid process.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Fastweb.com–An extensive scholarship search website with a massive database of scholarships, along with articles and helps designed specifically for parents.

Chegg.com–A free service for students and parents where students can showcase themselves, connect with colleges, and search for scholarships.

Cappex.com–The place to go to find merit scholarships and academic scholarships from colleges across the country.

Scholarships.com–An extensive scholarship search engine that helps you search and schedule alerts for deadlines.

How2winscholarships.com–A guide for parents and students on how to effectively apply to and win scholarships.

COLLEGE VISITS

SmartCollegeVisit.com–Created to provide information about college visits, help parents and students plan, and view personal accounts from both parents and students.

CollegeWeekLive.com–A virtual college fair that sponsors free LIVE events with archived presentations, student chats, and college booths.

Youniversitytv.com–Learn about colleges by watching video tours, chat with students on campus forums, post questions and get answers.
CustomCollegeVisits.com–Offer custom tailored to your family’s needs, whether you’re visiting college & university campuses close to home, across the country or from overseas.

COLLEGE PLANNING

Cappex.com–A site created for students to help them simplify their college search, create a profile and search for scholarships.

CommonApp.org–The common application site used by 400 colleges and universities across the country.

PrincetonReview.com–The best value colleges list for public and private institutions across the country.

UPromise.com–UPromise partners return a portion of eligible purchase money back to you. Those earnings accumulate in your Upromise account until you decide to use it to invest in a 529 plan, help pay down eligible student loans or assist with college expenses—all tax-free!

CollegeBoard.com–It’s here you’ll find the CSS Profile application (required by many private colleges), register for the SAT, and read articles about planning for college.

CollegeXpress.com–A search site that groups colleges in categories and provides college “hot” lists (i.e. top college for late bloomers, colleges for students needing a second chance)

VolunteerMatch.org–Find local volunteer opportunities for your college-bound teen and teach them about the importance of giving back to their community with the added bonus of adding that service to their high school resume.

KnowHow2Go.com–A college planning site for college-bound students providing helps and aids from middle school to senior year: interactive and fun!

 BigFuture.collegeboard.org–A planning tool to help parents and students get ready for college.

TEST PREP / TUTORING

TutorsForTestPrep.com–An SAT expert and coach offering tips to help your college-bound teen improve their SAT/ACT scores.

FairTest.org–The site for the National Center for fair and open testing providing information about colleges who do not use the SAT/ACT for admissions decisions.

QuincyTutoring.com–A resource to find a tutor and schedule a tutoring session.

LaunchpadEducation.com–Tutoring to help students with learning disabilities and ADHD.

TEXTBOOKS

ECampus.com—Find textbooks, sell textbooks, search for college supplies and college apparel all on this one site.

Chegg.com–A hub for students to compare textbook prices, study for exams, and choose the right courses.

RECRUITING

NCSASports.org–The college recruiting site for athletes.

BeRecruited.com–If you have a teen that’s a student athlete, they can create an online profile here and help colleges and coaches find them and be recruited.

test prep, tutoring

Tutoring and Test Prep Resources

1 Comment

 

tutoring test prepThe next SAT dates are approaching–May 4 and June 1. For high school juniors, this is a great time to take the first tests, plan for future fall tests, and study over the summer to improve their score.

There are numerous schools of thought regarding test prep, the number of times to take the SAT/ACT, and whether or not tutoring and test prep helps. My goal–share the available resources and let you and your student decide what works best for you. I’ll even give you a resource for comparing test prep offerings, along with links for articles they have written.

SATHabit

http://www.testive.com/sathabit/

Here’s a post that Tom Rose, the co-founder, wrote about improving your SAT scores.

https://www.parentingforcollege.com/2013/02/19/3-truths-of-raising-your-sat-score/

Bell Curves

http://sat.bellcurves.com/?hp=mp_feat_tests

Here’s a post Akil Bello, the founder of Bell Curves, wrote about evaluating test prep.

https://www.parentingforcollege.com/2011/01/17/evaluating-test-prep/

Elizabeth King

http://elizabethonline.com/

Here’s a post Elizabeth King, author of Outsmarting the SAT, wrote about her technique.

https://www.parentingforcollege.com/2010/01/11/outsmarting-the-sat/

WordNerd

http://word-nerd.com

Here’s a post written by Jenn Cohen, creator of word-nerd.com, about creating an SAT study plan.

https://www.parentingforcollege.com/2010/03/19/creating-an-sat-study-plan/

VeritasPrep

www.veritasprep.com/sat.

Here’s a post by Veritas Prep about the things students can do to boost their SAT scores.

https://www.parentingforcollege.com/2012/10/22/sat-prep-crunch-time-veritas-prep-outlines-5-things-students-can-do-now-to-boost-their-sat-score/

InstaEDU

http://instaedu.com

Here’s a post about their anywhere/anytime SAT tutoring service.

https://www.parentingforcollege.com/2013/03/08/instaedu-online-tutors-anytime-anywhere/

Jenn Cohen Tutoring

http://www.satprepforadhd.com/

Here’s a post Jenn wrote about finding the best test for ADHD students.

https://www.parentingforcollege.com/2012/03/07/adhd-and-the-act-why-the-act-may-be-a-smarter-choice-for-adhd-students/

Quincy Tutoring

http://quincytutoring.com/

Here’s a post written by Eric Clark, founder of Quincy Tutoring, about how to determine whether or not your student needs a tutor.

https://www.parentingforcollege.com/2011/06/01/tutoring/

Varsity Tutors

http://www.varsitytutors.com/practice-tests

Here’s a post by the founder Chuck Cohen for Galtime about comparing the ACT and SAT.

http://galtime.com/article/parenting/21097/53630/act-vs-sat-everything-you-need-know#axzz2M48qSGgN

Prepped and Polished

http://www.varsitytutors.com/practice-tests

Here’s a video blog post by Alexis Avila, the founder, about test prep the night and morning before the SAT.

http://preppedandpolished.com/24-hrs-until-the-sat/

FindTheBest

http://test-prep.findthebest.com

This site allows you to compare the various offerings of some of the major test prep courses (cost, duration, online/offline).

Shop wisely because not all test prep programs deliver results. However, I can personally recommend all of the tutors I have listed above. Check them out first.

Parliament Tutors

http://www.parliamenttutors.com

Parliament Tutors offers private tutoring and test prep for all academic subjects and standardized tests from New York to Los Angeles and everywhere in-between: K-12, Math Tutors, SAT prep, ACT, LSAT, GMAT prep, GRE tutoring & more.

tutoring

An inside look at Blackboard

 

blackboardModern education programs are now widely employing Blackboard software. That has helped to expand online education resources. Distance education classes give students the opportunity to study on their own time.

Supporters also feel that distance education is less expensive. Electronic information is certainly one of the biggest advantages that Blackboard software provides. Instructors are completely free to issue whatever sort of materials they want to their students. If they have the right to do so teachers can actually give out entire electronic books.

Drop Folder Technology

Most Internet users are familiar with the idea of a network folder. Blackboard allows instructors to set up a single folder that students can upload work into. This can be an excellent way to collect assignments into one area.

Some teachers have set up multiple folders in this manner. They could create one for each week’s assignments. The system can work in reverse as well, which means that professors can issue handouts through the system. Teachers who have access to public domain materials really love this technique.

Teachers often post a welcome letter along with several PDF or RTF files that contain information about the course. Since they can change up the text printed in the header section above the drop folders, teachers often post a number of relevant links that can help students to understand the course material.

Message Board Options

Blackboard can work like any other forum system. Class discussions are carried out this way. Students who have experience with regular forums probably will not have any problem getting used to the format.

Whenever someone writes something, other people have the opportunity to reply. They can post a response that is on topic, or they can decide to post a new topic. Some installations will allow students to insert images straight into their posts. Instructors can participate in the discussions as well.

Hybrid Course Content

Some teachers have had success with hybrid courses. Blackboard has a few options for those who want to hold part of their class in a traditional classroom. Those with access to projectors can make the most out of these resources. That being said, telling students to log into the system on days that they are not in class works just as well. Some people have found the hybrid options to be unnecessary for this reason.

Networking Education Resources

One of the best aspects of Blackboard software is its wide installation base. Instructors in more than 60 different nations use Blackboard to conduct classes. Exchange students can log into their accounts from around the world.

Physical distances do slow things down quite a bit. Teachers who have students from different regions in their classes might want to tone down their Blackboard pages. Images can be provided as direct links as opposed to embedded content. Videos and flash content are not necessary when teaching most classes.

Extending Blackboard Programs

Blackboard is a closed source program, but its developers offer two systems to extend it. Building Blocks can be used to make new education resources. Teachers with any experience in computer programming or Web design can easily put together new modules to interact with students.

Power Links is a more complete architecture. Some people might be disappointed to learn that only those who buy the campus and vista packages will ever get a chance to use it. Individuals who have experience with hypertext should have no problem developing modules with the Power Links package. That being said, extendable solutions are not always the best ones.

Blackboard is powerful software. Most tasks can be accomplished with the basic package. Some instructors have very ambitious projects that never go anywhere. Start small and build on early successes when making education modules.

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Author Bio

Joshua Turner is a writer who creates informative articles in relation to business. In this article, he describes a few benefits of the Blackboard system and aims to encourage further study with a masters in management information systems.