Online or in-person? This is an ongoing debate in many arenas today, including SAT and ACT tutoring. Some tutors offer both, but many are staunchly in the online only or in-person only camp. While a good argument can be made for either side, the bottom line is that a student should choose the option that fits well with his or her learning style, motivation, and schedule. Attending virtual tutoring sessions via Skype or Facetime becomes more popular every year. This option enables students to have access to the best tutors, regardless of location, and is particularly beneficial to students in geographic areas without a large supply of local tutors. The biggest advantage to everyone is that online tutoring sessions are generally much more flexible as far as scheduling, and there is no wasted time (for the student or the tutor) on commuting to and from another location. This often results in a less expensive hourly rate. According to Sean Quinn at Arbor Bridge, there is also less wasted time with things like small talk and getting a glass of water, so the sessions become more efficient. Arbor Bridge uses Zoom, a new technology platform with added bells and whistles like an interactive whiteboard and the ability to record, which mitigates some of the concerns that students and parents have about online sessions. However, online tutoring is still a very distinct experience which requires a different skill set from both the tutor and the student. For example, according to Isabela Guimaraes at Wheelhouse Learning, the online setting requires the tutor to be able to ask the right questions to assess comprehension. It can be harder for the tutor to see what a student is doing when a moment of hesitation hits, so the student needs to be a strong communicator who can express when he or she doesn’t understand a concept. For many students there is just no substitute for a face-to-face in-person meeting. To have a productive relationship, you need to connect with your tutor, and this is often much easier in person. There is also something to be said for the commitment and investment of in-person meetings where students may feel more accountable. And anyone who has ever been on a Skype call with a bad connection can definitely appreciate the value of meeting in person. Both options have pros and cons, and students should take advantage of free introductory lessons to figure out which method will be most effective in helping them achieve their goals.
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Today we attended a presentation by the British Council about applying to universities in the UK. There are currently over 15,000 U.S. students pursuing degrees in the UK, and about 30% are undergraduate students. One key difference between the UK and US undergraduate education systems is that in the UK you apply directly to a major, or "course." This means that UK schools are typically a good option only for those who are certain of what they want to study. Applicants must demonstrate a sincere interest in an academic area, as well as a readiness for a more independent learning style. If you are interested in learning more, here are some useful websites:
Is your child or someone you know heading to college this month? Here are a few recent articles to share full of advice, lessons, and a little humor:
Getting a head start on college application essays this summer can help ease the stress of a busy fall semester senior year. The Common Application essay topics are available here, and several schools have started releasing their supplemental essay questions. Here are links to some of the available supplemental essay questions for 2015-2016:
Today I spent the morning touring the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), an excellent mid-sized public university located about 15 minutes from downtown Baltimore. UMBC offers Division I Athletics, and prides itself on opportunities for research, community service, and internships. The Shriver Center exists to help students integrate classroom and applied learning, and community service is even noted on students' UMBC transcripts. The school is well known for STEM education, but also boasts a brand new Performing Arts and Humanities building. If you have a chance, check out the president's TED talk on UMBC's innovative Meyerhoff Scholars program!
A recent study suggests that employers do not think college students are graduating with the skills necessary to succeed in the business world. The findings focus on skills like critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and communication skills -- ones that many employers prioritize over actual subject matter knowledge, which can become quickly outdated. Will these findings motivate more colleges to create programs blending STEM and the humanities? Will we start to see more new programs in entrepreneurship and business skills that can supplement a liberal arts education? For more details on the recent study, check out the following articles:
If you are a high school sophomore, you may have heard that big changes are coming to the SAT next year. The College Board recently released some sample questions, and all signs point to a very different test compared to the current SAT. What does this mean for you? If you plan to take the ACT, no problem. But if you prefer the current SAT, you may want to consider finishing your testing early -- by January of your Junior year, before the new test is unveiled. This means thinking about test prep by this coming summer if you want to give yourself the option to take the test multiple times in the fall. We would suggest taking a practice ACT and SAT sometime this summer to determine which test is right for you. For more details about the new SAT test, check out the following article by Jed Applerouth of Applerouth Tutoring Services: A Harder SAT: College Board release foreshadows the most challenging test to date. Recently, I had the opportunity to share a breakfast conversation with Donald R. Eastman, the President of Eckerd College, and John Sullivan, the school's Vice President for Enrollment Management. The two administrators spent a good deal of time talking about the kinds of kids who thrive at Eckerd -- independent-minded students (think purple hair) who are not afraid to step outside of the box. I especially appreciated President Eastman's thoughtful comments about the value of a liberal arts education. While he made clear that Eckerd does all it can to help students prepare for the professional world, he also emphasized the essential value of the liberal arts in teaching students how to read and write critically and to think for themselves -- skills that all employers value. Kudos to President Eastman. "They Loved Your G.P.A. Then They Saw Your Tweets." -- This New York Times article received a lot of attention when it was published during the 2013-2014 admissions cycle. While most schools do not routinely check applicants' social media sites, 31% of surveyed admissions officers admitted to visiting an applicant's Facebook page or other social media page to learn more about them. Whether you are applying to colleges or applying to jobs, the message is clear -- do not post incriminating pictures on Facebook, angry rants on Twitter, or anything else that can be found online and might raise questions about your judgment! Think you may qualify for extra time or other accommodations on the SAT or ACT? Applerouth Tutoring Services has created a helpful overview explaining when and how to make the request. In 2013, 4% of ACT test takers and 2.3% of SAT test takers took the exams under non-standard conditions -- available accommodations include a quiet testing room, a reader or a scribe, enlarged print test booklets and/or answer keys, the use of a computer, additional or extended breaks, and multiple-day testing on the ACT. For more information, read Jed Applerouth's article, SAT and ACT Accommodations, on the IECA blog. |
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