As a qualified teacher, I know how education works and I understand how children learn best. 12 years in the classroom taught me a lot about kids of all ages and what makes them tick. I haven’t just supported the learning of my own three children I have supported the learning of thousands of children and teenagers over the years.
However, I also know my limitations and generally, it comes to teaching Maths. If ever I had to cover a lesson I would nervously look to see what subject and if it was Maths I died a little inside!
Since lockdown, my Maths has improved thanks to supporting Erin’s learning – but she is only 10 and in year 5 and I still have to look things up and I cannot always find the words to explain HOW to get the answer even if I KNOW the answer!
Over the years I have used a Maths tutor to help the older two prepare for GCSE’s (let’s gloss over the fact that Dylan hasn’t actually sat them thanks to Covid 19). Having a subject specialist teach a subject is really important as experts know the correct terminology and the best methods of teaching a specific part of the curriculum.
Over the years, I have also tutored in English and Sociology. I really enjoy tutoring and seeing the students finally unblocking themselves from the sticky spot they were in. It can take patience and can require explaining things in a number of different ways before the child makes the breakthrough but when they do it is wonderful.
Benefits of a Tutor
Using a tutor gave both my older two that extra confidence going into exams. With the best will in the world-class teachers are often pulled in 30 directions and can’t get around every student every lesson. This leads some children to have gaps in their knowledge.
There are so many benefits to a tutor but of course, there are a few disadvantages, namely cost, and availability. A standard tutor is paid for by the hour at a set time each week. But what happens if you need support outside of that session?
What if you get to set some homework that you just can’t fathom out? Erin is preparing for the 11+ and some of the Maths questions on that are challenging enough for me!
Easya offers solutions with a brand new approach to supporting your child’s Maths learning in the comfort of their own home. Rather than paying by the hour, EasyA offers far more flexibility for the students. Students simply snap a photo of a question and are matched with a tutor who can walk them through the problem.
The tutors are all Oxbridge Maths geniuses ready and willing to work the problem through with you using the app. Each session takes on average half an hour to ensure that the student understands the method behind the problem and that they can do similar questions going forward.
Advantages of EasyA
- I love the concept of this approach as it is much more student-led. It directly impacts on the question they are struggling with, to ensure that the session is gap filling.
- Traditional tutoring is for an hour a week, the EasyA approach means that you can ask as many questions as you want, helping you on-demand and not at set times. This is so much better for GCSE students and those doing revising. My kids often study at times when it suits them, so having a flexible tutor meets them when they need it most.
- Many children don’t like asking questions and this takes that step away. I know that Erin has said in the past that sometimes when she puts her hand up in class they have run out of time or the teacher hasn’t noticed. This is why we love EasyA so much, as by simply snapping the question children and teenagers don’t need to talk to access help. It means if they found something tricky in class, or didn’t get the opportunity to ask for more help when they get home they can follow it up by asking the tutor.
- It saves us parents our blushes when we can’t help our kids with Maths homework or revision. It would often lead to frustrations in our house which we can now avoid! I also remember asking my own dad and it leading to stressful conversations because I just did not understand what he was saying.
More about the structure
EasyA’s message-based approach to tutoring encourages students to ask all their questions confidently, in the format with which they feel most comfortable. The result is a rigorous and stimulating intellectual dialogue between student and tutor, allowing the tutor to constantly gauge the student’s level of understanding.
As a result, EasyA provides students with an extremely tailored learning experience, that allows students to go as fast or slow as they need. Because there’s no limit to session length, students can learn completely at their own pace, unconstrained by time. EasyA has really helped Erin get to grips with some of the more tricky Maths concepts that she was struggling with.
