Frequently Asked Questions?
How is StudyPorch different from other Tutoring services?
StudyPorch offers highly interactive online Instructor led classes with no more than 7 students per class. Our regularly scheduled weekly or bi-weekly classes provide continuity of instruction and help the children stay involved without any interruptions. With most tutoring services, the learning is mostly student initiated. Unless the student decides to approach a tutor with his or her questions there is no learning! Given the academic and non-academic time demands that students face, it is highly unlikely that the students will be able to consistently and effectively use the tutoring services.
What Courses and Programs do you offer?
StudyPorch offers foundation and advanced courses for middle and high school students in a range of topics covering Decimals, Fractions, Ratios, Percents, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus, and Statistics.
We currently offer “Math Unlimited” program for just $69 per month. Students that have signed up for this program can enroll in any of the courses that are offered by StudyPorch. The students also get unlimited support after class through scheduled one-on-one tutoring and email.
What curriculum do you follow?
StudyPorch classes focus on teaching fundamental concepts and improving problem solving skills for students by exposing them to a variety of problems. Due to variations in State standards no single State curriculum is complete or comprehensive. Therefore, our classes closely correspond to the Curriculum focal points as identified by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). Click here to read more about the Curriculum focal points at. We believe that NCTM focal points provide the best common framework for students across the US.
In order to provide variety and expose the students to different types of problems, we also use books and study materials from other leading curriculums like Singapore Math that is widely acclaimed by The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Click here to read more about the curriculum focal points and the correspondence to Singapore Math.
What is your typical class size? How does it compare with one-on-one tutoring?
All our classes are typically small, having no more than 7 students. This allows us to provide individual attention to each student in a classroom setting. Students in each class are grouped together based on similar performance in assessment tests. Since the children in each of these classes are at the same level, our thinking is that these kids will perform better in a competitive environment. We believe that working with a group of kids that are of similar ability will motivate them to do better than in an individual setting where they have nobody else to compare themselves against.
We understand that one-on-one tutoring is more effective in certain situations when a child is having difficulty understanding certain concepts. Therefore, our Math Unlimited monthly subscription program not only offers online classes but also unlimited after class support through scheduled one-on-one tutoring and email support.
My children are at the top of their class in Math. How does StudyPorch help my children?
Our experience is that even those children that are at the top of their class in Math are sometimes struggling to do well in competitive exams like John Hopkins CTY, PSAT, SAT and ACT. This is primarily because most schools focus more on procedural fluency than on problem solving skills. Therefore students face difficulty when they encounter new problems that were not taught in school. Since our emphasis is on improving analytical and problem solving skills, students will be better prepared to do well in future competitive exams.
We are highly qualified parents with advanced degrees? Why do we need StudyPorch?
Parents can continue to provide their support and help their children to excel. However many parents are usually busy with their own jobs. Despite their best intentions, these parents rarely find time to sit with their children and teach them on a regular basis. Reviewing and selecting the right material to teach requires a lot of time that a parent typically does not have. StudyPorch can be your trusted partner in teaching your children.
Ok, I am interested. What do I need and how do I signup?
You need to have a computer with Internet access, an email address, and a phone line (VoIP services like Vonage, Skype, etc. would also work). A headset with a built-in microphone and a quiet place is highly recommended for the student to stay focused and not be distracted during the class. If you don't have a headset, you can buy one in any of the computer/electronic online or retail stores. A graphical writing tablet like the Adesso CyberTablet 6400 is optional and can be helpful for the student to write on as if writing on a paper instead of typing on the computer. Click here to Signup.
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