Steps to Make Sure Your Experience with An Online Math Tutor is Optimal
You have done your homework to find the best online math tutor possible. Then you explored the dozens of websites with their slightly varying service offerings and found the best platform. You explored Reddit to see what people underground are saying about this service. You talked to your friends at school about their experiences and asked your teachers for recommendations. Everything is in place for you to take the next step and start a live session with your online math tutor. How are you going to make sure that it is the best possible experience? Fortunately, there are some common sense steps you can take to optimize your approach to getting an online math tutor that delivers a high level of quality.
Repetition with an online math tutor
The goal here of working with an online math tutor is to consistently work with the same person. In this way the tutor will develop a degree of familiarity with what you are learning and develop a sense of understanding for the progress you are making. This will make it easier for you to develop your skills instead of having to reteach the online math tutor what you already know for each new session. Online math tutors can be treated like an Uber for learning service, and this could be helpful. Ultimately, if you want to get deep knowledge of a subject, consistency with the tutor is key to your success.
Take advantage of the tools at your disposal
There’s too much hype around people born before the 1990s that using a digital approach to learning compromises the quality of the education. Typical critiques of an online math tutor are that it is hard for them to read the body language of the students or the session does not activate all five senses to create a comprehensive physiological experience to be remembered. These are partially valid points. You cannot smell a new environment like when you meet with the online math tutor at the library, although the need of smelling while studying might seem a little silly to some. There is no context for tasting either. The only options in place are to see, hear, and touch the computer / textbook as you work with your online math tutor.
This should be sufficient. The truth is that working with an online math tutor makes it easier than ever to save and document progress later on to review. With that said, there are two rules for taking notes when working with an online math tutor. The first rule is to write out notes in your own words. Do not copy+paste the ideas that are being described when you learn from the online tutor. Take the time to process the incoming information in real time and make it expressed in your own terms. The second rule is to write out the information later on using paper.
This activates the sensory power of touch at a higher level and allows you to make the learning process a physical one superior to the tactile experience of simply typing out notes on a keyboard. Now, these rules are not equally easy to apply, especially when working live with an online math tutor. If you have to choose one only, select the first rule to type ideas in your own words since you will be able to maintain a reasonable speed to keep up in the lesson. Then you can write out your learning in your own words (using the same words even) later on when the session with the tutor has ended.
Non-whiteboard tools
The next concept to study when working with an online math tutor is to take advantage of the tools at your disposal. Before talking about a whiteboard, it is important to ready yourself for an "aha!" moment with your online math tutor. If and when these moments occur, you’re going to want a quick and easy way to chronicle the moment and develop a method for the simplest approach possible to organize the information. To do this, two tools are necessary. The first is CloudApp, which allows for keyboard shortcuts to take immediate screenshots of your "aha!" moment during your session with the online math tutor. You can also record GIFs and even up to 5 minutes of video. The best thing is that you can edit the screenshots later on and add your own notes to the information. The best part is that you can get started using it for free.
You’ve already got the best content from the session screenshotted along with GIFs and videos in place. You were tactful and have what is needed, nothing more. The next step is to organize the screenshots you take during the session with your online math tutor. The best way to do that is by getting the Paste App for Mac. If you use PC, ClipClip would be a great alternative as well. I have to preface this portion of the article by admitting that this content is not free, but it is affordable at only $15 for lifetime access to the Paste App. There is also a free trial available. As for ClipClip, PC users can rejoice at accessing the functionalities described below for free.
So how do these apps boost your learning with an online math tutor? Basically, you can create pinboards / tags around specific categories of information you would like to keep. You can organize screenshots based on a subject you are studying with your online math tutor or you can organize based on the day of the session itself. Either way, all the relevant information is as simple as a click+drag of relevant content to the right spot for review. In this way, you create a systematic approach to learning with your tutor that will get positive long-term growth for your grades.
Whiteboard tools
Using a whiteboard with an online math tutor is something that the tutor should be primarily responsible for. If you have addressed the points above with the CloudApp and clipboard managers, this part should be easy. Basically, your job is to engage with the whiteboard. Every time you receive a new point of knowledge or piece of data to consider, take a moment to interact with the tutor on the whiteboard. This might seem like you are interrupting the tutor, but your job is to learn and the best way that we can learn from a tutor is by taking a moment to inject yourself into the conversation.
So feel free to get messy on the whiteboard and treat it like your sandbox. There is an eraser there to clean things up as the insights from the online math tutor become more clear. Remember how I mentioned typing out your notes? Use the text editor to type your notes out there where the online math tutor can observe your progress and provide correction if there are any points of concern to address.
This makes your tutoring session appear like a collaborative learning event where you are in the process of extracting knowledge from the tutor. As an online math tutor myself, I take great pleasure in being able to truly teach a student. Online math tutors are no different, and they understand that the key to learning starts with the student, not the tutor. This is why it is so important for you to inject yourself into the learning process. Because no matter where the online math tutor is from or what kind of education they have or how expensive or cheap they are, their efforts will have a limited effect if you do not take responsibility for your own learning.
Finally, the last step with an online math tutor is to save the transcript and the chat history to review later. The goal is not to archive each and every detail and develop some comprehensive library documenting all your online math tutor sessions. To the contrary, this would likely be a giant waste of time. Instead, the goal is to review what was learned and immediately identify the most important points of the learning process for further study and consideration. By doing this, you keep your learning focused and relevant to only the most important highlights of the online math tutor session.
Don’t be cheap (or expensive)
Price is a big issue for many students, and it is something that I respect. But when it comes to really learning, there is no expense that could be more important to your learning. Pricing for an online math tutor is a psychological game. If you price it too expensive, you will feel nervous and unable to appreciate the learning session for the stress of actually paying for it. To the contrary, if you pick an online math tutor at a price that is too cheap, then it will be difficult to respect the investment of time that your tutor is making in your learning. So what is the best way to pick an online math tutor?
It’s kind of like finding a pet or even a significant other. When looking for an online math tutor, take the time to be specific about what you are looking for and what you need. Wait for the online math tutors to come to you and then ask penetrating questions to make sure they understand and care about your learning goals. Of course price matters, but it should always remain secondary to finding the online math tutor that truly cares the most about helping you become a better mathematician.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that you have to find an online math tutor that truly cares and have a strategy for getting everything that you possibly can out of your learning session with them. Online math tutors in any subject whether that be fractions, long division, calculus, or trigonometry bring you a mind full of knowledge and resources. They cannot download this insight directly into your brain, and it is your job to extract it from them. The best online math tutors want to be used by you to upgrade your knowledge. You shouldn’t let price get in the way of that, but instead let the price serve as a motivator to build your learning.
Repetition with an online math tutor
The goal here of working with an online math tutor is to consistently work with the same person. In this way the tutor will develop a degree of familiarity with what you are learning and develop a sense of understanding for the progress you are making. This will make it easier for you to develop your skills instead of having to reteach the online math tutor what you already know for each new session. Online math tutors can be treated like an Uber for learning service, and this could be helpful. Ultimately, if you want to get deep knowledge of a subject, consistency with the tutor is key to your success.
Take advantage of the tools at your disposal
There’s too much hype around people born before the 1990s that using a digital approach to learning compromises the quality of the education. Typical critiques of an online math tutor are that it is hard for them to read the body language of the students or the session does not activate all five senses to create a comprehensive physiological experience to be remembered. These are partially valid points. You cannot smell a new environment like when you meet with the online math tutor at the library, although the need of smelling while studying might seem a little silly to some. There is no context for tasting either. The only options in place are to see, hear, and touch the computer / textbook as you work with your online math tutor.
This should be sufficient. The truth is that working with an online math tutor makes it easier than ever to save and document progress later on to review. With that said, there are two rules for taking notes when working with an online math tutor. The first rule is to write out notes in your own words. Do not copy+paste the ideas that are being described when you learn from the online tutor. Take the time to process the incoming information in real time and make it expressed in your own terms. The second rule is to write out the information later on using paper.
This activates the sensory power of touch at a higher level and allows you to make the learning process a physical one superior to the tactile experience of simply typing out notes on a keyboard. Now, these rules are not equally easy to apply, especially when working live with an online math tutor. If you have to choose one only, select the first rule to type ideas in your own words since you will be able to maintain a reasonable speed to keep up in the lesson. Then you can write out your learning in your own words (using the same words even) later on when the session with the tutor has ended.
Non-whiteboard tools
The next concept to study when working with an online math tutor is to take advantage of the tools at your disposal. Before talking about a whiteboard, it is important to ready yourself for an "aha!" moment with your online math tutor. If and when these moments occur, you’re going to want a quick and easy way to chronicle the moment and develop a method for the simplest approach possible to organize the information. To do this, two tools are necessary. The first is CloudApp, which allows for keyboard shortcuts to take immediate screenshots of your "aha!" moment during your session with the online math tutor. You can also record GIFs and even up to 5 minutes of video. The best thing is that you can edit the screenshots later on and add your own notes to the information. The best part is that you can get started using it for free.
You’ve already got the best content from the session screenshotted along with GIFs and videos in place. You were tactful and have what is needed, nothing more. The next step is to organize the screenshots you take during the session with your online math tutor. The best way to do that is by getting the Paste App for Mac. If you use PC, ClipClip would be a great alternative as well. I have to preface this portion of the article by admitting that this content is not free, but it is affordable at only $15 for lifetime access to the Paste App. There is also a free trial available. As for ClipClip, PC users can rejoice at accessing the functionalities described below for free.
So how do these apps boost your learning with an online math tutor? Basically, you can create pinboards / tags around specific categories of information you would like to keep. You can organize screenshots based on a subject you are studying with your online math tutor or you can organize based on the day of the session itself. Either way, all the relevant information is as simple as a click+drag of relevant content to the right spot for review. In this way, you create a systematic approach to learning with your tutor that will get positive long-term growth for your grades.
Whiteboard tools
Using a whiteboard with an online math tutor is something that the tutor should be primarily responsible for. If you have addressed the points above with the CloudApp and clipboard managers, this part should be easy. Basically, your job is to engage with the whiteboard. Every time you receive a new point of knowledge or piece of data to consider, take a moment to interact with the tutor on the whiteboard. This might seem like you are interrupting the tutor, but your job is to learn and the best way that we can learn from a tutor is by taking a moment to inject yourself into the conversation.
So feel free to get messy on the whiteboard and treat it like your sandbox. There is an eraser there to clean things up as the insights from the online math tutor become more clear. Remember how I mentioned typing out your notes? Use the text editor to type your notes out there where the online math tutor can observe your progress and provide correction if there are any points of concern to address.
This makes your tutoring session appear like a collaborative learning event where you are in the process of extracting knowledge from the tutor. As an online math tutor myself, I take great pleasure in being able to truly teach a student. Online math tutors are no different, and they understand that the key to learning starts with the student, not the tutor. This is why it is so important for you to inject yourself into the learning process. Because no matter where the online math tutor is from or what kind of education they have or how expensive or cheap they are, their efforts will have a limited effect if you do not take responsibility for your own learning.
Finally, the last step with an online math tutor is to save the transcript and the chat history to review later. The goal is not to archive each and every detail and develop some comprehensive library documenting all your online math tutor sessions. To the contrary, this would likely be a giant waste of time. Instead, the goal is to review what was learned and immediately identify the most important points of the learning process for further study and consideration. By doing this, you keep your learning focused and relevant to only the most important highlights of the online math tutor session.
Don’t be cheap (or expensive)
Price is a big issue for many students, and it is something that I respect. But when it comes to really learning, there is no expense that could be more important to your learning. Pricing for an online math tutor is a psychological game. If you price it too expensive, you will feel nervous and unable to appreciate the learning session for the stress of actually paying for it. To the contrary, if you pick an online math tutor at a price that is too cheap, then it will be difficult to respect the investment of time that your tutor is making in your learning. So what is the best way to pick an online math tutor?
It’s kind of like finding a pet or even a significant other. When looking for an online math tutor, take the time to be specific about what you are looking for and what you need. Wait for the online math tutors to come to you and then ask penetrating questions to make sure they understand and care about your learning goals. Of course price matters, but it should always remain secondary to finding the online math tutor that truly cares the most about helping you become a better mathematician.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that you have to find an online math tutor that truly cares and have a strategy for getting everything that you possibly can out of your learning session with them. Online math tutors in any subject whether that be fractions, long division, calculus, or trigonometry bring you a mind full of knowledge and resources. They cannot download this insight directly into your brain, and it is your job to extract it from them. The best online math tutors want to be used by you to upgrade your knowledge. You shouldn’t let price get in the way of that, but instead let the price serve as a motivator to build your learning.
