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The Alchemy Tuition Blog

30 Dec 2021
Tutors Permalink

12 Teaching Strategies to Use for Tutors

30 December 2021

Tutors have created a reputation for achieving exceptional results with the students they work with. Most of that success has been through using unique teaching methods that appeal to their students and help them understand the concepts they struggle with within school.

But that is not always the case. Although the results might suggest being a tutor and getting great results seems like a walk in the park, the opposite is actually true. Like teachers, tutors struggle most especially in finding ways to keep their students engaged and helping them understand different concepts.

If you find yourself struggling to find new ways to teach, reach out and engage your students, this guide covers different teaching strategies that could help you get excellent results on tutoring.

  1. Visualisation

One of the best ways to keep students engaged is with visual and practical learning. This is more so the case for students who are visual learners. Whether you’re tutoring online or face to face, there are unlimited opportunities to integrate visual cues that can help make the session more interesting.

For example, you could use the interactive whiteboard to display photos, videos and audio clips to help the student digest and understand the information better.

  1. Inquiry-based instructions

Thought-provoking questions are an excellent way to inspire your students to think for themselves and become more independent thinking.

Allowing students to ask questions also allows them to investigate their own ideas and work their own paths to understanding different concepts. It is also an ideal way to improve the problem-solving skills of the student.

  1. Differentiation

As a tutor, you’re going to work with numerous students with varying academic abilities, sometimes several students at a time. Differentiation is one of the strategies that tutors use to get the most out of their students.

Using this strategy, tutors can allocate tasks based on the student’s abilities. It ensures no one is left behind. It also means that students with higher academic capabilities are stretched while those struggling get the support they need.

  1. Technology

Technology has been one of the main factors driving success among tutors, and you can use it to your advantage. Digital media is deeply engraved in young people, making using technology an excellent strategy for teaching.

By using technology, you can make learning more interactive. Technology also makes learning more engaging and allows the students to instantly research their ideas, creating autonomy, improving problem-solving skills, and allowing students to find answers to concepts they’re having challenges with.

  1. Summative and Formative Assessments

Summative assessment takes place after a block of work has been completed, while formative assessments occur day to day. These are used to gauge the pupil’s understanding of the topic. Using both types of assessment helps the student retain information longer. For tutors, this type of assessment also helps to determine the effectiveness of your teaching methods.

One reason formative and summative assessments are an invaluable teaching strategy is because they also help highlight potential learning gaps and misconceptions, which the tutor can then find ways of working on.

  1. Games

Games play a critical role in the development of a child. They are one of the few things that can keep the attention and focus of a child the longest. Using games as a teaching strategy improves attention span and makes the tutoring sessions more fun and interactive.

Most students are more likely to remember concepts taught through games longer because they are more relatable and interactive. This strategy is particularly effective for tutors working with young students who might have challenges focusing for long or sitting still. Games are also handy when tutoring subjects like maths and science.

  1. The Pause Procedure

The pause procedure was initially a strategy developed for lecturers to help improve retention. Using this strategy, the lecture would pause their lecture after every 15 minutes, giving the students time to get their minds around what you have just said. The two- or three-minute pauses given to the student allowed them to digest the material already shared.

The same strategy works the same way for the same reasons in tutoring. With tutoring, you can ask the student to summarise what you have just presented. You could also try to find out if they have any questions. For group tutorials, ask the students to explain to each other what they have just learned.

Another approach to the pause strategy is to ask the students to take a short test or complete a problem using the skills you have just explained.

  1. Fast-paced drills

You will be surprised what a bit of adrenaline and competitiveness can do in helping a student understand a concept.

Fast-paced drills are perfect when working through multiplication tables, periodic table elements, or other subjects and topics that require a lot of memory work.

Under fast-paced drills, you can also try to introduce short-timed tests. These are a great way to get quick feedback on the progress of the students while testing their memory and non-calculator skills.

  1. Alternation

Most tutors rarely use this teaching strategy. Perhaps because of the fear of losing control of the class and their position. But alternation is an effective teaching strategy that every tutor should try out.

In this strategy, the tutee and the tutor alternate roles. You let the tutee tutor you, and you play their role. Alternation gives you insight into how well the student has internalised the content that you have shared with them, and it also gives you an opportunity to understand their point of view.

This strategy is perfect for lessons that feature essay exams where the student will need to explain things to you. Just remember to give the student enough time to gather their thoughts when using this method.

  1. Application

One of the best ways for a student to learn is to do something independently. It is also the only way to be sure that they have understood the concept. After doing your bit, you should let the student apply what they have learnt. If it is a math problem, let them do a problem or two on their own. You can then have a look at it and go over it step by step correcting areas where they made a mistake.

  1. Humour

The use of humour during your tutoring sessions can reduce pressure and increase the level of engagement drastically. Sprinkling funny jokes and quotes and dedicating a few minutes to laughing can help break down monotony, refocus the student and re-energise them to grasp what you’re saying.

You can also work in humour in explaining some concepts, which will make them relatable and easier to understand for the student.

  1. Feedback

As a tutor, the student is your client. As you try out the different teaching strategies, there’s no better person to tell you what’s working and what is not than the student. Make sure you request feedback from the student regularly. You might not consider this a teaching strategy, but it is one of the most important strategies you can employ as a tutor.

It not only helps you to better refine your teaching tactics and have better and meaningful sessions with your students, but it also helps you become a better tutor by understanding the most effective teaching strategies and the ones that have the most impact on your students.

Final Thoughts

There is a lot involved in being a good tutor, but how you teach and your approach will most likely make the greatest impact. With these teaching strategies, you have new ways to pass information and avoid monotony, making your lessons boring.

27 Sep 2021
Life, Tutors Permalink

How to Become an Online Tutor

27 September 2021

The online tutoring space is growing at a rapid speed. Online tutoring is a job that appeals to people of all ages and with varying skills. The ability to make a decent income is a great driving force for most people considering becoming an online tutor. However, there is also the satisfaction of knowing you helped someone improve their grades and achieve their goals.

If you’re considering becoming an online tutor, the first step is ensuring you have as much information as possible to help you get into the right space and make you appealing to both students and potential employers.

Determine Your Requirements

The best place to start is stock-taking to determine what you’re qualified for. Online tutoring accommodates people at different stages of their education and careers.

You should research and analyse the different niches before you can jump into online tutoring. Depending on your level of education and understanding of different subjects, you can target students in different years in the Australian educational system.

You can consider online tutoring if you’re a professional tutor, a retired teacher, or even a university student. You just need to be good at what you do to make yourself appealing to people looking for your services.

Know and Understand Your Students

Understanding your students will help you take the appropriate approach and have the right mindset to start online tutoring. Take time to understand the needs and requirements of the student.

What age is the student who needs your help? Which areas do they need help in? Based on the age, location and behaviour of the students, you can use these characteristics to tailor your approach.

Choose a subject topic

Most aspiring online tutors go with the subjects they understand and excel at best. It makes it easy to remain patient and come up with creative ways to teach students struggling with the same subject. Often, going with the subject you’re most comfortable teaching yields the best results because your passion also comes out.

Check the Requirements

Becoming a tutor in Australia takes more than just being good at a particular subject. You need to have completed high school with a high ATAR. This will show good academic transcripts, especially if you want to tutor as a university student. Online tutoring services are instantly attracted to the best-performing students.

Why not also read: How is ATAR Calculated?

You will also need an undergraduate teaching degree to tutor higher-level students, like a bachelor of education. That might take about four years to complete. You should also have completed 12 or gone through a similar pathway to tutoring higher classes.

Online tutors in Australia will also need to complete a Working with Children Check. Some online tutoring platforms don’t compromise on this. If you would like further professional accreditation, you can join the Australian Tutoring Association.

Choose an Online Platform to Sell Your Courses 

Once all your qualifications are in order, it’s time to find an online tutoring platform where you can sell your courses and tutoring services. The best approach is to go with an already established tutoring business. This saves you from advertising costs and other related costs. You get instant access to a vast pool of students who use the services, and you can start making money almost instantly.

When choosing an online platform, it’s essential to do thorough research to find the best and the most reputable platforms that offer competitive rates and a conducive environment for you and the students you will be private tutoring.

25 Aug 2021
Study Permalink

5 Language Analysis Techniques

25 August 2021

Language analysis is one of the three VCE English course sections and is the most distinctive. . It is also called Argument Analysis among other several names.

Language analysis focuses on the ‘unseen texts’ or what is referred to as the cold material. For most students, this turns out to be the most daunting part of the exams.

A student facing a language analysis section is required to analyse the persuasive techniques deployed by the author of the piece of writing the student is analysing. The types of pieces given range from a political campaign ad to opinions.

Why not also read: Guide to VCE Language Analysis

Having a proper analytical process is critical in fully identifying the technique and its purpose. The T.E.E technique is the most commonly used:

  • T – What persuasive technique is being used?
  • E- Example of the text that shows this.
  • E – the intended Effect or impact on the reader’s attitude.

Here is a look at the five most common and how you can analyse them.

Rhetorical Questions

Rhetorical questions are the most widely used in language analysis history. Despite being so common, most students often struggle with the concept.

A rhetorical question is when the author uses a question to encourage the reader to re-evaluate their opinion on the issue in question and consider the author’s opinion instead.

In some cases, the rhetorical question is often too ambiguous and difficult to understand. But in other cases, it presents itself on a silver platter.

An excellent example of a rhetorical question device used in context is:

Supposing there was a new law that would allow kids to carry knives for whatever reason, the author could pose a question, “ Do you really want your child to carry dangerous weapons.”

The aim of the question is to drive concern and fear from parents, ultimately encouraging them to oppose this ‘new law.’

For students, one of the easiest ways to mention rhetorical questions in language analysis is to start by asking yourself what the author of the piece is questioning.

Statistics

The second most commonly used language analysis technique is statistics. It’s easier to identify and comment on because it presents itself every time the author includes numbers (mostly percentages).

Statistics is often used to lend credibility or evidence to the author’s argument. While identifying the technique is straightforward, most students make redundant commentary.

Example:

Statement: Over 1,300 people have not registered to vote.

Analysis: “The author uses statistics like 1,300 people to lend credibility to his argument.”

The most effective way is specifying the relationship between the device and issue in question this technique is referring to.

You should start by considering what statistic is being referred to. Determine if the static aims to point at an overwhelmingly large number or small number. The words the author uses to describe the statics are just as important. Words like:

  • Over
  • Only
  • Mere
  • Almost
  • Massive

Such words used before the statistical figure have an immense impact on the opinion the author is trying to shape. They can make the figure the author is creating seem big or small and also form a point of analysis.

Example:

Statement: Over 1,300 people have not registered to vote.

Analysis: “The author’s inclusion of the static “1,300 have not registered to vote.” Modified by the adjective “over” implies the number of registrants who have not voted is substantial and should cause alarm among readers.”

Expert Opinion

Authors can also use an expert opinion as a persuasive device. When using this language analysis technique, most student will often have something like:

“The expert opinion of Professor David Robinson solidifies the author’s opinion and makes the argument seem supported by a professional.”

Why not also read: How to quote in an essay

With expert opinions, students can dig deeper and deliver a more in-depth analysis of the context. See if there’s anything substantial about this expert the author has mentioned. Who are they? What qualifies them as experts in their field? Why would the author want to cite their opinion? Also, what kind of language does the author use to introduce the expert.

A proper analysis should combine the use of the expert opinion and some analysis of what the opinion is. You can also state briefly whether the author is eliciting respect from an esteemed authority figure or the opposite.

Inclusive Language

The idea of this technique is embodied in the wording of the technique itself. It also happens to be one of the most common mistakes students make; stating that “inclusive language makes readers feel included” in the analysis.

When analysing the inclusive language technique, you should ask yourself what the author is including readers in? And what group the author is positioning the readers to belong to?

In a statement like: “We should demand more from our politicians because it is up to us to create a better future for ourselves.”

The author is using inclusive words like “we” and “us” when expressing the “need to demand more” and “create a better future” to put the responsibility on the reader and compelling them to take action.

Depending on the wording of the opinion, the author could be trying to include the reader in a call-to-action or including the reader in concern. Although the technique is the same, the context is different and this should be included in the analysis.

Emotive language

Emotive language is easy to pick out in any language assessment exam. The tricky part is in how the students analyse and expresses the same.

The first step to using this language assessment technique is to identify which emotions are at the core of the author’s point.

Why not also read: How to write an argument analysis

The author could be trying to portray anger, sympathy, outrage, passion, or empathy among other emotions.

It is important to highlight the words the author is using in the piece and create a relevant connection to the message and emotion the writer is trying to pass and conclude with the result the author is trying to achieve using this language technique.

25 Aug 2021
Students, VCE Permalink

How Many VCE Subjects Can you Do?

25 August 2021

It’s never too late to consider the subjects you’re going to take for VCE. There’s a good chance you know what career you want to do in future. This might help you in figuring out what subjects to take for VCE.

It’s important to know how the VCE system works is critical to help you make the right decision. There’s a total of four units that you need to complete in a span of two years. Unit one and two are taken in Year 11 and units three and four are completed in Year 12. Some schools might allow you to take some Units 1 and 2 VCE studies in Year 10 and Units 3 and 4 in Year 11.

VCE includes a total of more than 90 subjects you can choose from. But you only need 16 subjects. Most of the subjects are made up of four units which the student studies over two years. the subjects are broken down as follows:

  • Foundation English (Units 1 and 2)
  • English (Units 1 to 4)
  • English as an Additional Language (Units 3 and 4)
  • English Language (Units 1 to 4)
  • Literature Units (Units 1 to 4)

At least one of the English units must be a Unit 3 or 4.

Why not also read: How to do well in VCE

How to Get Started

When selecting the subjects you’ll do for VCE, you should know that these subjects will influence what you do beyond high school. That’s why you need to carefully consider the subjects. Here are a few tips to get you started.

  1. Consider the subjects you’re passionate about. If you’re like what you’re studying, you’re going to enjoy it and you have better chances of performing well. If you can see yourself working in these areas in future, ask yourself if these subjects fire your curiosity and make you feel inspired.
  2. It helps to look for assistance. Choosing VCE subjects is crucial and it requires proper consideration and sombre advice. Start by investigating into the VCE subjects and the requirements that will enable you to study in your area of interest at university. Some programs requires that you pass VCE subjects to be eligible.
  3. VCE is about following your interests. Some students think that selecting subjects that will reward them with a high ATAR score is the safest option. But, it’s pointless to pick a subject based on scaling, yet it doesn’t advance your interests in what you want to do for a career.

Who to Turn to for Advice?

Selecting VCE subjects isn’t something you should do on your own. You need professionals and experienced people who will help you make the best decision. Luckily there are a few options you can turn to:

  • Schools have career advisors and VCE coordinators who can provide you with guidance on career direction. They will also provide you with a variety of TAFE programs in your interest and what you need to do to be eligible for them.
  • Career expos and university open days also provide a wealth information. Although you might be a couple of years from completing Year 12, having such information is critical.
  • You can also get plenty of information online. You can start with the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) website.
03 Aug 2021
Students Permalink

How Is ATAR Calculated?

3 August 2021

As you complete your high school education, one of the focal points is the final exams. It’s a trying and stressful time for parents and students. Ultimately, once you complete your exams, you will get an ATAR score that determines your choice after school and could also determine your future.

Why not also read: how to get 99 atar

But what is the ATAR score, and how is it calculated. Understanding ATAR could help you take your final years of high school more seriously and identify areas of improvement.

What is the ATAR?

The Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) is the number that determines a student’s entry into university. ATAR ranks the Year 12 results and measures the overall academic achievement of the student compared to other final year students in the rest of the country (other than Queensland).

It’s important to note that ATAR is not a score out of 100. Instead, it’s a rank. It allows tertiary institutions to compare the overall achievements of all the students that have completed Year 12.

Depending on your location, the ATAR might be calculated differently. In Victoria, the ATAR ranking is calculated by the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) when you complete the Victorian Certificate of Education.

VTAC uses the VCE results issued by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) to calculate the ATAR scores. A student must have completed at least four VCE studies in a recognised combination to calculate their ATAR. Once you complete VCE, the authority will notify you of your ATAR. VTAC also forwards the ranking to tertiary institutions where you apply to determine your eligibility for the courses, among other requirements.  

How is ATAR Calculated?

There are several steps and components involved in the calculation of ATAR ranking. It might sound complex, but it’s simple if you take the time to try and understand the system.

Each subject has four marks attributed to it, distributed as follows:

  • Examination mark
  • HSC mark
  • Assessment mark
  • Performance band

School Scaling

The first consideration that could affect your ATAR is your school’s rank. The rank of the school is what informs their assessment mark instead of the numerical result. The results of the student have to be moderated according to the performance of the rest of the students and their performance.

HSC Mark

The High School Certificate mark represents the student’s results on their examinations. It is put into bands according to the results. A student with a mark of 95 is in band six, which includes marks between 90-100.  The HSC mark is the average of the student’s assessment mark and their examination mark.

Scaling

Students can choose from over 80 subjects in HSC. The subjects are not always comparable. Therefore, the rank of each subject is determined by how many students take it and the average examination results.

The scaling for each subject is determined using various combinations to produce scaling factors which are then applied to HSC marks to create scaled marks per unit.

Aggregate

The ATAR ranking is calculated from the sum of the scaled marks for an individual’s top ten scoring units. Each unit is worth 50 points, with a total value of 500 points for all the units. Your total mark is referred to as the aggregate, and it is what determines an ATAR.

ATAR represents the percentage of the population that you outperformed. It ranges from 0-99.95 in intervals of 0.05. if you receive an ATAR of 60, it means you performed better than 60% of the students that year.

21 Jul 2021
Study Permalink

How to Prepare for NAPLAN

21 July 2021

The approach for preparation that students take when preparing for the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) assessment is very different from the approach of end-of-term tests.

The results of the NAPLAN exams are critical in charting the student’s progress against the national standards. Unlike the end-of-term test, NAPLAN focuses on skills that students develop and improve over time. That means, even the approach of preparing for the exam should be different to position the student in the best place for success.

Here are a few tips on how a student can best prepare for the NAPLAN exams and improve their chances of success.

Make the child exam-ready

NAPLAN assesses skills that are developed over time. Therefore, the child cannot prepare for this exam the same way they prepare for end-of-term tests. The skills required for the NAPLAN exams need to be developed continuously and improved throughout the year, not just a few days before the NAPLAN test.

You should focus on helping the student develop their literacy and mathematical skills to their full potential. The literacy skills include speaking, listening, and critical thinking. Providing children with materials they need regularly to harness and perfect these skills is vital.

Don’t put too much pressure on the child

Every parent understands how critical it is for their child to do well on their NAPLAN test. However, putting too much pressure on the child can cause anxiety leading to careless mistakes that the child could avoid if they are cool, calm and collected.

Working in smaller groups and ensuring the child is constantly engaged by a teacher or a NAPLAN tutor can help the child refine their weak areas in literacy and numeracy skills and improve their confidence which will enhance their overall performance.

Help the child practice using online practice test

One of the ways you can help your child practice for the upcoming NAPLAN tests is by ensuring they are aware of what to expect. This will help them stay more relaxed and make the situation more predictable.

You can visit the local bookstore or search online for NAPLAN-styles tests. Although most of these are not endorsed by the government, the goal is to get the child to familiarise with the tests and know what to expect.

Work on the weak areas

It’s common for students to struggle in certain areas. These can be literacy, reading, or numeracy. Regardless of the challenges, the student will be more confident sitting for the tests knowing that they put extra work into these areas and try harder to get better results.

Enrolling additional help like buying them extra resources, spending extra time with them working on these areas, or even hiring an online tutor is an excellent way of improving the performance of the child and consequently their confidence while sitting for NAPLAN.

Get a good night’s sleep

It’s imperative for the student to get enough sleep the night prior to the test. Proper rest is crucial to the performance of the brain. If the child has enough rest, they can focus better, they have good cognitive speed, math processing and decision making.

Ensuring your child gets enough sleep the night before the tests can make a big difference. It is the icing on the cake that can help you realise all the efforts you have put into preparing for the test.

Final Remarks

NAPLAN is one of those tests that you can’t wait until the last days to start preparing. The tests focus on already acquired skills and aim to test if the child is improving at different stages. The best way to prepare for NAPLAN is to make it long-term. Regularly check on the progress your child is making at school and make an effort to assist in areas where they are struggling.

12 Jul 2021
Study Permalink

How to Study for Maths

12 July 2021

For most students, maths is a subject they could do without if given a choice. They would love to get better grades, but there’s a notion that it is almost impossible. Maths isn’t as difficult or as scary as it sounds. It just needs a little more dedication and focus, and you can be on your way to excellent grades.

The best thing about math is that once you get the hang of it, you won’t have any problem getting good grades going forward. If you’re adamant about improving your score in math, here are a few math study tips that will help:

Understand that math is a cumulative subject

Math is a cumulative subject. What you learn today is the foundation of something you’re going to learn tomorrow and so on. Everything you learn in math will be built on something you learnt in the past.

That means you have to attend as many classes as possible and start taking the subject seriously at the earliest possible time. This will allow you to build a strong foundation that will come in handy when you begin handling the more complex subjects. You always have to ensure you stay on top of your work at all times.

Practice, practice and practice some more!

It’s not enough to learn the chapters in class. You also have to keep practising them and solving related problems to understand and internalise the concepts fully. Constant practice ensures you always keep your mind sharp and well prepared at all times.

Try and dedicate a few hours of your day to solving different math problems. Even when you’re working on other subjects, slip in a bit of maths, so you don’t lag behind.

Start by solving examples

You never want to start by solving complex problems because they can quickly make you feel frustrated and the subject even more. Instead, try and focus on solving examples, especially when you have just started on the chapter. This way, you’re not discouraged, and you give yourself more time to understand the concept as you slowly transition into complex problems.

Don’t lose touch with the basics

As mentioned earlier, math is a cumulative subject. You rely on the basics learned in the past to solve complex problems in the future. That means touching base once in a while is just as important as trying to understand the exciting and new concepts. You need to keep your foundation strong, which means practising sums from selected chapters in your previous years, so your basics are always sharp.

Learn from your mistakes

When you’re working with different problems, you’re going to make mistakes. Work through the process for each solution. If you have made mistakes, review them and understand how you made a mistake. This will make you more vigilant and help you avoid the same mistake in the future. It’s an excellent way of becoming stronger and improving your mathematical skills.

Create a distraction-free study environment

A quality math revision session requires a distraction-free environment that allows you to focus and concentrate on the task at hand. This is more so when dealing with complex problems like geometry, trigonometry and algebra.

For some students, background music can create a soothing and relaxing atmosphere that stimulates information retention.

Create a mathematical dictionary

Maths has numerous terminologies and vocabularies. Sometimes going through previous notes can take valuable revision time and can be frustrating. Instead, you can create flashcards or notes that are easily accessible and detail all this information in an easy-to-find manner. Include the meaning and some samples where necessary.

Consider hiring an online tutor

If you feel you can’t improve your math scores alone, maths tutors are an excellent resource. With a tutor, you have a dedicated professional that will help identify potential problem areas and come up with ways to help you improve.

28 Jun 2021
Study, Tutors Permalink

How to Make Maths Fun

28 June 2021

A majority of students consider maths a difficult subject. Not because it is hard but because they hate it. This is usually because of the approach most teachers use to teach Math. Most Math Tutors present mathematical concepts in a way that most students don’t understand. It’s possible to make Maths fun for all levels and make it easy for them to understand and excel at the subjects.

Why not also read: Year 10 Maths Guide

Here are a few ways you can inject some fun into your math lessons and make it the subject that every student looks forward to.

Use modelling and student names

A good amount of math problems are story options. Using a student’s name is an effective way of keeping the class engaged. Coming up with enticing stories helps to retain the student’s attention longer.

In lower classes, some students might have problems understanding the question. Using visual aids like candy to help act out the problem will make the problem more relatable and grab the students’ attention. This also helps to create relevancy of the problems for the students.

Take the class outdoors

Math is all around us. It doesn’t have to be constricted to a classroom. Breaking the norm once in a while and going outdoors to get some fresh air and learning maths will help the kids easily recognise shapes and different concepts.

Why not also read: How To Get an A in Maths?

The outdoors is a great resource for the creative math teacher that wants to take a unique and practical approach to math. Whether it is shapes, numbers, or story problems, the outdoors has a resource you can use to help your students visualise the problem and understand it better.

You can also incorporate trips to the grocery where you can teach the kids to count as you shop or take a road trip to take the pressure of learning out of the equation and open up the students to learning opportunities.

Play math brain games

As the young mind develops, you can incorporate brain games. Brain games work particularly well when working on equations. A good example is using flashcards which can aid in memory and retention. The cards can also help express values differently, making them more stylish and relatable to the kids.

Use video games

Video games play a big role in the lives of kids in the modern world. It’s time you embraced them and used them to our advantage. If your student is a gamer, you can make a connection between math and gaming to create powerful teaching tools that they will quickly understand and fall in love with. There are excellent math games and apps that the child can use.

You can also use their passion for video games to show them how critical math is in their long-term goals. This is particularly the case for children that want to become coders or want to build apps. The motivation could trigger them to work harder and change their approach to math.

Final Thoughts 

Maths doesn’t have to be a hard and detested subject. It only needs a little creativity and dedication to change the perception of students on the subject. Once the perception changes, students will realise that Maths isn’t a difficult subject. It is actually manageable with the right attitude and consistency.

28 Jun 2021
Parenting Permalink

Benefits of Homeschooling

28 June 2021

Homeschooling is rapidly rising in popularity in Australia. Parents have varying reasons for choosing to home school their children ranging from giving the child a better learning environment and even having more control over the content the child uses for education.

Why not also read: How to do well in VCE

Similar to putting your child in school, there are benefits associated with choosing to homeschool your child. It’s imperative to consider these benefits to explore and exploit homeschooling fully.

No peer pressure

One of the challenges that come with putting your child in school is peer pressure. Homeschooling substantively cuts out negative peer pressure by limiting the child’s exposure to the outside world.

Negative peer pressure like drugs and vital safety issues is the leading reason why parents want to home school their children. The peer pressure concern is heightened with high school students, but depending on the environment and the school the child is in, it can start earlier.

Improved emotional freedom

Normal classrooms pile a lot of pressure on the student. Kids have to try to fit in and will often give in to peer pressure. Being educated at home doesn’t come with the same challenges. The child and the parent don’t have to worry about bullying or being ostracised, among other social pressures associated with schooling.

Why not also read: Selective Test Preparation Guide

Most homeschooled students are more expressive emotionally and don’t have a loss of self-esteem. Generally, these students seem happy and grow up to be more emotionally mature adults. 

Homeschoolers do better on tests

A recent study revealed that homeschoolers perform just as good if not better at tests in students homeschooled right to the high school level. This is best attributed to the more comfortable learning environment of the student and the fact that homeschooling focuses on the pace of the child, allowing them to learn at a rate that is comfortable for them.

Flexible schedules

Homeschooling benefits are not only for the students but for the entire family as well. When homeschooling, the rest of the family doesn’t have to worry about dropping or picking up the kids from school. There are no meetings or commitments. Also, the parents decide the length of the lessons, and they also decide when to take holidays.

This makes it much easier for the family to plan their schedule with reduced limitations and time constraints.

The more flexible schedule means more time for field trips, museum and park visits, which can tie in perfectly with what the student is learning at the time.

Children learn at their own pace

The public school system is often criticised for not catering to slow learners or the different learning methods of kids. It’s often considered a stringent method that sidelines some of the students. Homeschooling avoids confusion by letting the kids learn at their own pace. The parents and private tutors can also determine how best the child learns and adapt this to the curriculum making progress faster and more effective.

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This is more so the case for children that have special needs. In a public system, the child might be treated inadequately, which could result in social stigma. In a homeschool setting, the special needs of the child are a priority. The child is put in an environment that allows them to thrive in education.

There’s plenty of time for parenting

With homeschooling, the parent is intimately involved in the learning process. It gives the parents and the children a chance to bond and share in the excitement and joy of learning.

Closing Remarks

From these benefits, it’s easy to see why more parents are considering homeschooling as a viable option for their students. With invaluable resources like online tutoring, it is now easier for parents to provide their children with the best education right at the comfort of their homes.

28 Jun 2021
Parenting Permalink

How Much Does Private Tutoring Cost?

28 June 2021

Private tutoring is an excellent way of helping students struggling in certain subjects improve and get some personal attention. Most parents will often jump at the opportunity of hiring a private tutor for their child, oblivious of the costs and challenges involved.

Because of the physical contact between the student and the tutor, private tutoring often yields better results. However, it doesn’t come cheap. For most parents, the cost of hiring a private tutor is often too high, denying the student a chance to better their grades and improve in their weak areas.

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The cost of hiring the tutor varies depending on various factors, which include:

Expertise and eligibility

Tutoring is like any other profession. Some skills are harder to obtain. The experience and qualification of the tutor have a lot to do with the price you’re going to pay. A first-time home tutor might cost around $45 – $60 per hour. A more qualified English or Maths teacher will charge upwards of $80 for private tutoring.

More qualified tutors like a senior chemistry teacher or a Maths Extension 2 tutor has more training and experience and will command a higher fee. If you’re looking for a specialist, expect to pay more than $150 for the services.

Supply and demand

Depending on your location in Australia, the availability of well-trained tutors varies as well as their fees. In some areas, there are limited private tutors, which means that the price of hiring a tutor will skyrocket because of the lack of competition.

In places like Sydney, you will be spoilt for choice when looking for a tutor. There are numerous teachers and academics in the area. Therefore, the prices are more competitive.

Running costs

Private tutoring means the teacher has to come to your location. The tutor needs to factor in the cost of getting to your location in their rate. Depending on the distance, this could affect the cost of private tutoring significantly.

Group Vs one-on-one

If the tutor is tending to a group, the economics of scale are in your favour. Small group sessions could start as low as $20 per student, making this a budget-friendly alternative.

But, tutoring a group isn’t always the best value option. Some children take more from the personalised approach, which could warrant additional private lessons instead of going all out on group sessions.

Tutoring company vs private arrangement

The last factor that will determine how much private tutoring costs is whether the tutor is part of a tutoring company or a private arrangement.

Hiring a private tutor won’t always save you money. It will depend on the tutor and their rates. Tutoring companies can present you with a host of advantages, and you might even get better value for your money in the long run.

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Most tutoring companies will vet the tutors before hiring them, and each tutor often has numerous testimonials making it easier for you to find the right fit for your child.

Another benefit of going for a tutoring company is if your private tutor cannot make it for a session, the company can make arrangements to send a replacement to prevent lost studying time for the children. Typically, because of these and the business running costs, tutoring companies might charge you more, but the rates are more competitive.

Are there any other alternatives?

Yes, there are alternatives that are more affordable, among them online tutoring. Online tutoring presents the same benefits as private tutoring. The child has the full attention of the tutor for the period of the session. The only difference is, there is no physical contact.

At Alchemy, we have developed a platform that does a great job of compensating for the lack of physical contact. Using our platform, the student can interact with the tutor via video stream, ensuring full responsiveness while minimising costs because the tutor doesn’t have to come to your home.  

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