Tutoring question

[Faust]

Hello CP forum,

I have a question with respect to the various tutoring organizations that are available in Calgary. How do you know which ones are good and will produce positive results?

I have a child who is struggling with grade 12 chemistry and she struggles with preparing properly for her physics exams as well (despite performing well on her assignments).

I am trying to determine how to find a good tutor that can help her understand the course material and would be interested in hearing what tutoring programs other CP forum parents have tried.

[FlamesFanStrandedInEDM]

I'd be more than happy to help, however, science is my weakest subject to teach.

I believe they are a little expensive, but Tutor Doctor hires certified teachers and Education graduates. One of my fellow teacher friends works with them(http://tutordoctor.com/)

Another option that could work (and is quite affordable) is Westside Rec Centre in Westhills offers a tutoring program that is free with admission. I believe the hours are 3:30-6:30 Monday-Thursday, you may want to call and see when their Science specialist is in. They mainly hire University students. When I first moved back to Calgary and was seeking teaching employment I was working there for a bit tutoring the humanities and math.

I wouldn't tie myself to one individual tutor, they are all different and one tutor that might be great for one student, may be difficult to understand for another. Play the field...

What I would NOT recommend is those Diploma Prep Crash Courses. The brain does not learn that way.

[Mathalete]

I can't speak to what tutoring agencies in Calgary would be good, as I don't live there.

However, I tutored a ton of math/science in university. I did it privately, at tutoring agencies, etc. There's no real way to know who will help your child the best unfortunately without trying.

The school she's attending may have a program (schools in my hometown did) where tutors come in and help students. You can try calling the local university and see if they recommend any students to help your child. Or you can put an ad out in the paper or online and see what comes from that. Like a classroom teacher, it is ideal to get someone who connects with your child. And by that, I mean that the way they explain things "makes things make sense".

It may be beneficial to have one tutor or it may work better to have a chemistry one and a physics one.

Good luck in your search

[EverfresH15]

My girlfriends mom has taught chemistry for 25+ years. If you want i could ask her if she knows any good tutors.

[Regulator75]

Keep reading torturing...

[WinnipegFan]

Faust,

In my opinion as an educator for over 12 years (10 of which where in Calgary) the best tutors are usually working independently. The locations that are "tutoring centres" pay significantly less to the actual tutor so you end up with sub par tutors.

In Chemistry and Physics I know a number of teachers currently working in Calgary in those positions. If you would like me to put you in contact with them, one of which I know tutors at night, I would be more than happy. Simply PM me and I can pass you there contact information.

This being said, many of the younger year tutoring centres have strong program bases so the product is excellent. Especially for early year math and science. However, at the high school level finding a strong independent tutor would be my suggestion.

Also avoid the diploma prep courses that pop up. Many of these are cash grabs and even misinformed. Far better to talk to your school or contact an independent tutor with experience in the area.

[troutman]

[DoubleF]

How about asking the actual teacher at the school who teaches your child the subject whether they are ok with doing some after school tutoring? I had combinations of this and tutors when I was a child.

[wooohooo]

I used to tutor back in undergrad and I felt the kids that I could help the most were the ones I helped consistently. It forced the kids to study and learn the concepts every week so they weren't behind in their studies. A lot of material builds off previous concepts.

It really depends what kind of learner your kids is too. I'm horrible at retaining information by reading so I actually gotta do practice problems (lots) and if I don't get it I'll watch some youtube videos. I'll do it until I can solve it by heart. At least that way worked well for me for Physics. Others can just read it and know it.

The good thing with Chemistry and Physics is that there's a plethora of information on youtube.

[FlamesFanStrandedInEDM]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

How about asking the actual teacher at the school who teaches your child the subject whether they are ok with doing some after school tutoring? I had combinations of this and tutors when I was a child.

Most teachers are motivated to help students who genuinely want help.

I have all the time in the world for a motivated student who is willing to put in the effort.

[Delthefunky]

Not what your looking for but try finding some open university courses she can follow. I watched all the Walter Lewin lectures when I was taking physics and they followed the high school curriculum to a T. Finding someone really skilled and passionate like him to explain concepts makes a huge difference. I'm sure there must be some equivalent for chemistry, check MIT's open course website.

Of course if you haven't tried khanacademy.com then you need to check it out!

[Amethyst]

I would find a private tutor, but keep a close eye on things, to make sure it's a good match. Tutoring companies aren't always the best option. I used to work for a well-known one and most evenings were fine, but sometimes due to staffing levels, I got higher level math and science students (I typically did early elementary language arts) and I was just repeating the teaching guide at that point.

[Antithesis]

I'd strongly suggest that you (and anyone else in a similar situation) pursues tutoring opportunities through the school your child attends first. I'm sure teachers are willing and able to provide opportunities for extra help or already have some sort of 'extra help' seminars. Additionally, the guidance department may well have access to programs in the community that could lead to free or subsidized tutoring programs. Unfortunately, schools will not be able to recommend or suggest specific tutors (or should not, at least).

[TSXCman]

Check out khan academy. The guy teaches nearly every subject. I used it for calculus for engineers; while he was also releasing grade 5 math videos too.