Talk to Maths Doctor about (online) tutoring - £200 John Lewis voucher prize draw NOW CLOSED

[MichelleMumsnet]

Maths Doctor have asked us to find out what Mumsnetters think about (online) tutoring for children.

Here's what they have to say, "Maths Doctor is the UK's award-winning maths tutoring company with an inspirational approach to teaching. Our one-to-one, private tutorials for students aged 7-18 are delivered live over the Internet using a shared virtual whiteboard and live video feed, so that our 500+ tutors can teach anyone, anytime, anywhere. We're the UK's largest provider of this innovative digital education method that helps boost students' grades."

So, have you ever tried tutoring with your child? If so, why did you decide to get a tutor? Did it help? If not, is it something you'd ever consider? Do you think tutoring is the same as giving your child music or sports lessons, or does it put other children at a disadvantage? What do you think about Maths Doctor's approach with online tutoring? Whatever it is, we'd love to hear your thoughts!

Maths Doctor also want to give six Mumsnetters the chance to trial the Maths Doctor service and share their thoughts on this thread. The Mumsnetters who are selected will receive two free lessons for their child, which will need to be taken before 3rd February. To apply for the free trial please PM me with the age of your DCs and why you would like to trial Maths Doctor before Friday 17th January. We'll then select six Mumsnetters at random.

Maths Doctor may use posts on this thread for further marketing purposes (anonymously, of course), so please only post if you're happy with that.

Everyone who adds their thoughts to this thread will be entered into a prize draw to win a £200 John Lewis voucher.

Thanks and good luck,

MNHQ

PS: For those Mumsnetters who miss out on the free trial, Maths Doctor will also be offering a 20% discount for all subscriptions purchased in January (lessons can be taken at a later date but need to be booked by 31st January). Simply mention the promo code MUMSNET to receive the discount.

[Letitsnow9]

As a child I had maths tutoring (not online) as I had a rubbish teacher, I would def have kids use online tutoring if they were falling behind, wanted to improve etc

[FernArable]

I think online tutoring is a great idea. It would hopefully fit in with our ever changing schedules and I think with the technology being introduced to classrooms (iPads etc) most children would be able to handle it well.
It's something I would definitely consider for my DC if I thought it was required although I'd be cautious about pressuring them to improve if there was no need.

[OutwiththeOutCrowd]

Given my Luddite tendencies with technology, I'd be a bit concerned that a virtual maths teacher would judder to a pixelated freeze-frame halt if I were anywhere in the vicinity of the computer. What if that happened just at the interesting, exciting bit?!

Seriously, though, online tuition seems a great idea, especially for those with tightly-packed schedules. And not only that, by leaving your gas-guzzling vehicle in the garage, you could save on petrol costs and reduce your carbon footprint too!

[MichelleMumsnet]

Hi everyone, thanks for your posts so far. Just to answer Willemdefoeismine's question, all the trialists have now been selected and notified.

[janeyh31]

If my daughter was struggling with maths or her teacher recommended it, I would consider tutoring. Online tutoring sounds like a great idea as well and would be something I'd like to find out more about

[rachel19784]

My son's favourite lesson is Maths and he actually does it for enjoyment.Even though he isn't behind in his lessons it is always good to push them a little to help them discover there true potential. I would love to give my son tuition on a language, I am always hearing him signing in Japanese and he teaches himself a new Japanese word every day.

[Maiyakat]

I think if I was considering tutoring for DD I would want it to be specifically tailored to her needs. I would be reluctant to use online tutorials as I'm not convinced that the service would be that individualised.

[Hopezibah]

I think online Maths tutoring like this is a brilliant idea. The reason being that local to us there are a couple of tutoring schools but they are not in great locations and so tricky to get to. In home tutor visits would also be tricky as it would interfere with all the other children and family life so online is the perfect solution.

It sounds like it is very individually tailored for each child which is great. Also schools don't really cover everything thoroughly and sometimes children don't get taught the tips and techniques in maths that they need so this is where an online tutor could really help.

I think that with so many kids being home-educated because of the failings of the schools system, tutoring has a place in this home-ed community too because as a parent I found that it was hard to stay ahead of teaching my children maths because it is not my strong point and yet my kids seem to have a flare for it so i felt out of my depth.

[NicNak71]

I would certainly consider tutoring if I felt that either of my two needed extra help.

I studied online and as part of the course i had access to a tutor, I found them to be invaluable.

We have used reading eggs and maths seeds before and our eldest really enjoyed it, so I would be willing to give something like this a go.

[sc00ter]

Hi

I have two teens and would love the tutoring in maths for both of them.
My daughter is doing GCSE'S soon so would be great help for her as she does tend to struggle a little.

My son is sitting A level Maths soon so I would also like it for him also as he needs an A grade to do the course he wants at Uni.

I don't think I help as I am terrible at maths and so the kids NEVER ask me for help but luckily their dad is brill, so gets all the questions.

I would love to do my GCSE.

[ruralreynard]

I have been looking for a Maths tutor locally for my DS aged 12. I live in rural area (the middle of nowhere LoL) and so far haven't found anyone close enough. The online tutoring particularly the Maths Doctor style of tutoring sounds a good idea. My only concern regarding my son would be getting him online to be tutored regularly. He worries about Maths and wants help but is lazy has trouble with concentration. Someone actually coming to the house would work because he is polite and once started enjoys learning. This could work though as hopefully he would connect with tutor and it would become part of a new routine.

[rlouisa]

my query with online tutoring is how you can encourage a chld to continue if they get bored during a session.

[hth123]

Maths tutoring can be useful as it is key subject at school and if kids need extra support this sounds like a useful idea.
How much is it to do?

[Willemdefoeismine]

Think we could do with some English tuition for our 13 year old DS. He's at a super-selective and is struggling. His English was reasonable enough to assist him passing three 11+s but he's obviously not on a level with his peers....how on earth do you help with English????

[Flossiecrossie]

I worry that I'm teaching my little one bad habits when it comes to maths. It's obviously taught very differently than when I was in school. I don't want to confuse her, but I don't really want to return to school, so on-line tutoring would be perfect solution for both of us.

[micra]

I need to say up front I'm a primary school teacher. I can't honestly see great value in online tutoring as it doesn't seem much better than just sitting a child in front of a textbook then marking it. Surely the benefit of tutoring is the 1-to-1, instant feedback, the watching a child go through a process and seeing what they do/don't understand, where they're going wrong (or right), chatting it through with them, getting them to talk you through it.
TBH, I think kids are pushed so hard at school these days that they should just come home and chill. So many have tutors and I feel sorry for them - most don't "NEED" it, and the ones who do, tend to be the ones least likely to afford it or go for it. My kids do the homework they're given and that's it - no way would I want extra tutoring for them unless they were really struggling, and even so, if they were doing their best and finding it hard, would I really want to inflict more of it on them at home? No!

[micra]

I would add that people need to look very carefully at what they're getting - online work or genuine tutoring -there is a vast difference.

[Laverne196]

It is difficult to teach your child maths particularly when they instruct students using a particular methodology therefore when my child's maths became more complex I did not feel confident to get involved.

[firawla]

I had not heard of this type of thing but quite like the idea. My ds1 is very ahead in maths and the school work does not challenge him so he may enjoy this type of thing to push him further?

[sybilwibble]

I think what's on offer is one on one tutoring, with a live tutor over skypechat, not online maths worksheets.. Is that right? If so then I'm all for it. I'm a bit confused as some people are referring to it as worksheets, like @ micra. It's not that is it?

[GiraffesAndButterflies]

Having organised web-based teaching meetings which replaced f2f ones, the biggest difference to me is the rapport and general chitchat is extremely hard to replicate with an online meeting. It's also prone to getting ignored because it's not a specific goal of the meeting to be friendly/ have a nice time, and therefore the impact on business critical activities is missed.

I can see the impact of this on tutoring being significant. For example it may be a shared interest in football which builds up a bond and gets a reluctant child to give the tutor a chance. The two minutes' chitchat while taking coats off, settling down etc is beneficial to a good working relationship.

[SaltySeaBird]

My DD isn't even at school yet but as she gets older, if she needs help I won't hesitate to get her some extra tutoring. I like the sound of Maths Doctor but would have to see if it suited her style of learning. I do think that sitting down with a tutor in a one to one setting is the best way to learn.

[Uzma01]

We've not tried tutoring with our children - they're only 4 and 2; but I'd seriously consider it if it was in a subject my husband or I were not fully conversant in. I think online tutoring would be really helpful, cutting out the traveling time to/from the place of tutoring if it's not at home and any potential delays if the tutor were to come to our home.

I do think some tutoring - like for the 11+ - doesn't help children, as they may well pass the entrance exam but really struggle when they're in the school environment and not be able to keep up with the pace of work etc.

[narniasnarnia]

Haven't tried tutoring. I think they are worked so hard at school already - so much pressure about sats from year 5 onwards - that when they get home they need something else other than formal teaching/learning.

[HappyMum4]

I would definitely give tutoring a go, my 8 year old is struggling badly in maths, yesterday she couldn't even tell us what half of 3 is, the school she attends is letting her down I feel, there are many disruptive elements in her class and she just isn't getting the support she needs. I have tried to help her in a tutoring sense, but we just clash heads, I get frustrated, she gets upset, and it falls apart. I know my friend's daughter had maths tutoring and she came on in leaps and bounds.