Schooling Central

We had a 1 hour presentation today followed by the total price bing announced! $7,000.00

I was really sold on the idea but I just cannot bring myself to spend that much money (even in installments).

I was wondering if anyone has had any exposure to the product or any other comments/information?

Somebody else I met was talking about this recently but until then I had never heard of it. Can you explain the it to me? Is your child struggling with maths or are you just looking at something to supplement their maths work at home?

Do you know about:

Daisy Maths: http://www.daisymaths.com.au/

and

Rainforest Maths: http://www.rainforestmaths.com/

They are both free, and then there's Mathletics: http://www.mathletics.com.au/ which costs about $100 a year.

We have used all of the above, as well as some excellent disks that came free with a maths workbook, and some we have bought for $10 each through the school (my ds loves maths!). I imagine they're nothing like what you're looking at (because they cost so much less!), but they are good resources.

Annabel.

Thanks Annabel,

I've spent the last couple of hours researching the Computer Tutor and it seems that they are using skilled sales techniques to sell the product.

I think it is a computer program (or 3 in total) that help children with Maths from Kinder to year 12. The package also includes over-the-phone tutoring.

It did seem like a great computer program, and the idea of the over the phone assistance did seem great when compared to actually taking the children to a tutor 1-2 times a week, but it still concerns me that they are asking for $7,000! Especially since they offer it with a finance package....

The boys are average students and only in grade 1 and 2. We want to supplement their school work with the aim of keeping them enjoying maths and possibly excelling in the subject.

They are currently in a Public School and we hope to get them into a private school in the future. We feel that we have to somehow keep up with the private school children with extra activities. At the moment we primarily have swimming (they participate in other sports) and guitar. We have covered sporting and music and now need to cover academic and art avenues. I am currently looking into some form of 'home work' for maths and literacy.

I am going to have a look at the links now...

Thanks

Cherie

There is an Australian computer tutoring software company offering online web software through Bigpond
http://offers.bigpond.com/My-Home-Tutor/

I had a look at this before (you can have a free trial). They offer very good video clips and excellent exercises. The fee is about $50/month and many kids can use it.

But I would advise against using any computer products unless you know what you are doing. Most kids will just fall asleep while they listen to the computer (or the videos). High-school kids will cope with this boredom better. Kids in primary schools will just fall asleep. An adult must always be sitting next to the child and guide the child and keep the child awake. Pause the video and explain the subject to the child in different ways just to make sure the child understand properly.

It's also possible to get a tutor from India teaching via the Internet. You only need a webcam and broadband access. They should charge quite reasonable fee.

Generally anything beyond the basic level of mathematics requires an experienced teacher/tutor who is also very good at mathematics and mathematical problem solving skills. Kids should be encouraged to find their own way to solve problems (much of mathematics is in the mind and learning it is a journey of self-discovery).

BTW, don't worry about private schools. Kids there are not good at mathematics.

hi,Cherrie
I have my son in a catholic school and he does very well,what I want to tell you is to not worry about kids that are in private schools,they are not smarter then ours,we make them smart if we work together with teachers.
I have Mathemagic Computer Tutor for him since he was in prep,it helps but I spend time with him doing the work twice a week and he does read a lot-if they don't have home work you can go to the library and ask the librarians what's appropriate for kids to read and this way you will develope the academic skils and of course the vocabulary. You need to talk about the books they read,ask them questions and this way you will see rezults. I know people who put the kids in private schools and they are not happy at all.