One of the greatest flaws in the education system is the idea that all students can learn in the same fashion. While it is true that all students possess the basic ability to learn, certain ones might require more attention than others in order to achieve that pursuit. Likewise the study methods that work for one student may do nothing to help another. The following is a list of articles relating to study skill alternatives to the traditional methods for students who might be less than conventional.

1. An Alternative Paradigm for College Reading and Study Skills Courses:  Jim Reynolds and Stuart C. Werner, Journal of Reading

This article discusses the different approaches to handling incoming college students who are ill-prepared for the advanced academic world that they are entering. It explores the idea of a learning paradigm in which students are allowed to develop learning skills in their own way or style. It embraces the idea that not every student benefits from the traditional “one size fits all” method of studying.

2. Homeschooling Study Skills: Gertrude Elizabeth Greene

This article discusses the specialized study skills that should be taught to homeschooled students in order to prepare them for entering the more public and advanced educational realm of college.

3. 4 Helpful Study Skills for Online Learners: Stefan Knapen,

In this article Mr. Knapen discusses the different study skills needed for online learning. Because learning online requires not only a different environment but a different mind-set altogether the study skills that students find useful for in-class tutelage often do not apply as well in the online learning realm.

4. 6 Study Tips for Adult Learners: courseadvisor.com,

Re-entering the academic arena after a prolonged absence can be difficult for even the most studious persons. This article provides study tips designed to help adult students balance their work, family and school lives into a smoother experience.

Not every student responds to traditional study methods, and in particular those learning in a non-traditional capacity tend to suffer from scenarios for which these methods do not fit. With the advice contained in the above articles any student can special tailor study methods that work for their specific methods of learning and situation.

Summer break means the glorious absence of early mornings, the hectic bus schedules and, of course, school in general. As your children rejoice in the freedom of days filled with playing outside instead of homework maybe it’s time to consider some summer learning advantages. In particularly for younger children it’s easy for them to simply forget the skills they learned during the year when they have the freedom of summer stretched ahead of them.

Getting Ahead

Most every student has a subject in school that gives them almost constant grief. Whether that’s mathematics or English some extra studying during the summer can help them better retain the skills they learned the previous year and prepare for the new subject matter that they’ll encounter in the year to come. Check with your local school board and see if there’s a generalized syllabus for your child’s problem subject in their next grade level. By choosing materials that can help them get a head start you can possibly prevent them from having difficulty in the year to come.

General Refreshing

For those subjects that don’t pose a psychosomatic threat to your children it never hurts to have some review. There are plenty of resources available online to help make learning feel less like a chore and more like a game. A great way to help them continue learning is to find an engaging day camp. This will not only stem boredom but also stave off the relaxation of their problem solving skills. They may not be studying math flash cards, but a good camp that keeps them active and engaged will help them continuously utilize their thinking skills. Certainly more so than a rousing 8 hour video game binge. This type of continued engagement and review will also help them transition more easily into learning mode once the school year gets going again.

The summer doesn’t have to be a time of limited brain function for your children. By working with them or providing them with engaging activities that keep their focus and thinking skills developing you’ll not only help them learn new things but prepare for the new knowledge to come.

Scott Young started his blog 6 years ago while a student. Since graduating though, his interest in building skills and further education has only been heightened. We recently posted on our Facebook 

page a link video that Scott recorded detailing his latest challenge: to complete a 4 year MIT course in Computer Science in just 12 months (see the video here).

But just today we came across an audio interview Scott had with Corbett barr of Expert Enough- a site we love over here at Stepping Stone Tutors! But what I wanted to share were a couple of points Scott made in that interview that should be of value to you, as someone who’s looking to improve their knowledge, whether you’re using one of our online or in home tutors, or simply self-studying online.

Scott often refers to the way people who learn fast are able to effectively link the data and knowledge they’re processing  together, which therefore generates a much more deep rooted understanding of the topic being taken on. This is an alternative to simple ‘rote memorisation’, where students are challenged with the almost impossible of simply learning a ton of facts only to regurgitate these when asked about them. This ability to link things together- to understand in a much fuller way is what he calls ‘holistic learning’.

A method that’s often used to utilise this method of learning called the ‘Feynman technique’, which is an informal philosophy of how we can learn something deeply. As an alternative to rote memorization, which could take hundreds of hours for some subjects, the Feynman technique can be applied effectively to almost any subject. The video below will explains exactly what this is, and how you can apply this to your own studies, whether that’s for your upcoming ASVAB test, GED classes, K-16 classes, or test preparation (read about how we can help with this here) and revision.

The reason this technique works so much is because most people simply don’t know what it is that they’re trying to learn. They don’t understand which bits of a subject they need to expand on in order to full understand what it is they’re dealing with. The Feynman technique, however, highlights the exact aspects of each subject that you need to look into more in order to holistically grasp any topic you like.

These days having an education isn’t just a good idea, it’s imperative. Many employers, including the U.S. military, are requiring workers to have a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalency in order to be considered for hiring. In today’s tough job market the more qualifications an applicant has the better! The following is a brief overview of some of the most important grade levels and tests to be completed on the track to a degree.

K-12

The term K-12 refers to the courses provided from Kindergarten to 12th grade for students. These classes normally take 13 years to complete and are marked in most every state by a graduation examination comprised of a few subjects: Social Studies, Math, Reading and Science. These subjects may of course vary from state to state. In addition to the graduation tests states are also required to implement End of Course tests, or EOCT’s, for each course that a student completes in grades 9-12. Completion of the K-12 program earns the graduate a High School diploma. This diploma can be used to obtain certain entry level positions and admission into a university or technical college.

K-14

K-14 refers to students who have completed Kindergarten through 12th grade, graduated with a high school diploma and completed two years of college. This normally owns a person an Associates Degree in their field of study, which is sufficient in some trades to obtain an entry level position of employment. Some industries, however, require more education for even entry level positions. Different programs have different tests, but in general students can expect periodical examinations throughout the semester in their courses to be followed by a final examination. Many universities require that students then pass an exit examination that serves as an examination to ensure that they’ve studied and grasped the general subjects that were taken during their instruction.

K-16

This term refers to students who have completed Kindergarten through 12th grade and 4 years of undergraduate study at a university or college. This generally earns a student a Bachelor’s Degree in their area of study. This degree often offers students a wider array of job possibilities when they graduate with more employers seeking students with a higher level of education, depending on the industry. Examinations for this degree are similar to those for K-14, with periodical examinations given during the semester and final examinations given at the end of each course.

GED

The GED, or General Educational Development, test is given to students seeking an alternative means of earning a diploma which is considered to be equivalent to that given to high school graduates. Students who complete the GED have not completed the traditional 12 years of school and therefore obtain this diploma as a means of applying to universities or technical colleges, or for the purposes of obtaining employment. These days most every employer requires at a minimum a high school equivalency diploma for entry level positions. This test covers Math, Social Studies, Science, Reading and Writing.

ASVAB

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude (ASVAB) test is administered to certain high school students and other persons interested in joining the military. The ASVAB consists of the following sections: the General Science, Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, Mathematics Knowledge, Electronics Information, Auto Information, Shop Information, Mechanical Comprehension, and Assembling Objects. The scores from the test are used to determine the best vocational placement for the student within the armed services.

ACT

The ACT is a standardized test that can be taken by students for use in obtaining admission to a university or technical college. The test consists of 4 sections: English, Mathematics, Reading and Science Reasoning. Often universities and colleges require either an SAT or ACT score prior to granting an applicant admission to the institution.

These terms and tests are commonly associated with attending post-secondary education in the United States and in various other countries world wide. Depending on your goals as a student chances are that you’ll be encountering them as you navigate today’s educational systems. Practice examinations and other information about each test or term is available online for preparation purposes.

1. A human being is not attaining his full heights until he is educated (Horace Mann).

2. An educated man is thoroughly inoculated against humbug, thinks for himself and tries to give his thoughts, in speech or on paper, some style (Alan K Simpson).

3. An education isn’t how much you have committed to memory, or even how much you know. It’s being able to differentiate between what you know and what you don’t (Anatole France)

4. Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow (Anthony D’Angelo).

5.  Education is a better safeguard of liberty than a standing army (Edward Everett).

6. Education is learning what you didn’t even know you didn’t know (Daniel Boorstin).

7.  Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself (John Dewey).

8.  Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire (William Yeats).

9. Education is simply the soul of a society as it passes from one generation to another (Gilbert Chesterton).

10. Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence (Robert Frost).

Our last post discussed Richard Feynman’s study method (the Feynman Technique), which involves writing out a lecture to yourself, explaining in simple terms the topic you’re working on. As you’re working through this, you’ll reach points where you stop and become slightly confused, or unsure about something. At these points, you know you need to brush up your knowledge in these areas. By the time you’ve finished writing your lecture, you’ll have a far fuller understanding of the topic than hours and hours of rote memorization could produce. To read what we wrote about this, see here.

As a way to build upon Richard Feynman’s teaching and learning philosophy (especially from 40+), we came across the following video, which we’re sure you’ll benefit hugely from watching.

As parents we tend to get very touchy about the subject of how our children are disciplined, fed, taught or treated. To keep it simple you might just say that most parents are touchy about their children in general. So when it came to light recently that a school replaced a child’s home-packed lunch with chicken nuggets it should come as no surprise that the wagons were circled (don’t worry, our in-home tutors or online tutors would never do such a thing!)

Earlier this year a preschool student in North Carolina brought from home a lunch consisting of a turkey sandwich, a banana, chips and apple juice. A state inspector determined that her lunch did not meet nutritional guidelines and replaced it- with chicken nuggets.

In my opinion there are a number of factors awry here. First of all, the concept of declaring a turkey sandwich, banana, chips and juice to be less nutritious than what were surely fried chicken nuggets is beyond my cognitive grasp. Perhaps the least nutritious part of the original lunch were the chips, so if that is what flagged the inspector then why not simply remove the chips from the lunchbox and send the child on their way with the remainder? I could understand if their lunchbox contained nothing but M&M’s, chocolate milk and Cheetos, at that point it could be argued that chicken nuggets carry more nutritious value.

Then we must weigh the question of whether or not schools or the government should be dictating what we feed our children. Isn’t that perhaps getting just a little too intrusive into the parenting choices of Americans? My original inclination before hearing a story such as this one would be sure they should begin inspecting lunches; I would imagine that there are plenty of kids that go to school with ridiculously unhealthy lunches not unlike the horror that I described above. But then I hear something like this scenario and I’m reminded of how our government, however well-meaning they may be, has a tendency to take things too far. If I’d sent my child to school with the lunch in question and found out that they were instead fed chicken nuggets I would be furious for obvious reasons. For one thing I can only assume that they threw away the contents of the original lunch, a complete and ridiculous waste of money that I worked hard to pay for, not to mention woke up early, put together with a preschooler getting ready (any mother with a young child knows the terrors of the morning routine), and got them to agree to eat. Secondly I return to my earlier point that I have a hard time grasping how chicken nuggets are more nutritious than a turkey sandwich, banana and juice. Then I take into consideration the recent news about the “pink slime” beef being considered for school lunches and I find myself completely turned off as a mother from allowing my children to consume school-provided lunch.

If it could be trusted that situations such as this one, which is completely ridiculous in my opinion, would not happen and that our government would never feed our children the pink slime we’ve seen in the news, I would be all for the inspection and replacement method in school lunches. Until that day comes, however, I pity the fool who takes my kid’s sandwich.

In today’s working world having a basic education is a must. In recent years it has become difficult to land even the least skilled employment without some degree of education. For most workplaces at least a GED is required.

In particularly for those who have been out of school for quite some time the art of test taking and studying can be a daunting task to master. For most, simply sitting down and reviewing material is not sufficient preparation for taking a major test such as the GED. For students who haven’t had to burn the midnight oil in a while try the following top 5 GED study tips:

1. Identify the Material- The GED consists of 5 sections: mathematics, science, social studies, reading and writing. It is essential that you review and prepare for all 5 sections before attempting the test.

2. Identify Your Weaknesses- While it is important to go over each section diligently you should also pay special attention to your weakest subject(s). If you find that you’re lagging in mathematics allot some extra study time for that subject. Get your hands on as many different types of preparatory materials as are available and become familiar with them.

3. Obtain Study Materials- There are a number of different study materials available for the GED exam. From print media to video tutorials students today have access to whichever methods they find make them the most successful. If you find you respond better to reading print materials and taking practice quizzes, do that. If you can more easily and fully absorb material that you watch on a video, obtain as many videos as possible. When studying for any test having the right materials is essential. There are several websites that also offer free practice tests.

4. Take a Preparatory Course- Most every city in the United States has an institution that offers a GED prep course. If you don’t have an institution in your town there are a number of different online courses available, some of which are free. For many students the hands-on in-class approach is superior to going it alone. Group studying in such an atmosphere might also prove helpful.

5. Prepare Your Body- Be sure to get plenty of sleep the night before the test. An all night cram session might seem tempting, but you’ll be doing yourself a much larger favor by getting a good night’s sleep. If you feel the need to cram before the test try going to bed early and getting up early for some last minute studying. The morning of the test it’s also essential that you eat a good breakfast. Our bodies and minds function at their highest when they are rested and well fueled.

6. If needed, get extra help- there are companies like us here at Stepping Stone Tutors who offer online and offline tutoring for exams such as GED, K-12, SAT, ASVAB etc. We’ve masses of experience in helping people young and old to pass exams they never thought they could actually pass, and work with you one-to-one to make sure you make progress as effectively as possible.

So, with the correct preparation you could be just one step away from your GED and financial success. A good education is the cornerstone of a successful career and a happy worker.

For anyone undergoing any form of study- whether you’re studying for your GED, SATs, K-16- whatever qualification you’re working toward- there are plenty of fantastic commencement speeches that ring true for you as well as for the undergrads they were originally aimed at.

These are our top 5 commencement speeches to build up that motivation and inspiration you need to push your studies to the next level.

1. Steve Jobs, 2005, Stanford University

“Remembering you’re going to die, is the best way I know, to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.” – Steve Jobs

2. Ellen Degeneres, 2009, Tulane University

 “Really when I look back at it I wouldn’t change a thing. I mean it was so important to me to lose everything because I found out what the most important thing is – To be true to yourself. Ultimately that’s what’s gotten me to this place. I don’t live in fear, I’m free, I have no secrets, I know I’ll always be okay because no matter what, I know who I am.” - Ellen

3. Bill Gates, 2003, Harvard

“Even with the advent of the Internet and 24-hour news, it is still a complex enterprise to get people to truly see the problems. When an airplane crashes, officials immediately call a press conference. They promise to investigate, determine the cause, and prevent similar crashes in the future.

But if the officials were brutally honest, they would say: “Of all the people in the world who died today from preventable causes, one half of one percent of them were on this plane. We’re determined to do everything possible to solve the problem that took the lives of the one half of one percent.”

The bigger problem is not the plane crash, but the millions of preventable deaths.”

So, no matter what you’re studying for- whether that’s in school, or through an in-home or online tutor- these messages, stories, and lessons ring true for all of us, whether we’re undergrads, grads, or not.

theConnecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS) decided propose some pretty impressive ideas for the future of education. Imagine how this could effect future K-12, K-14, and SAT tests. This would be truly revolutionary in the way we approach education in the US…not just in formal education, but even in home tutoring, and especially online education.

Read the full report here

Just today I came across Jonathan Martin’s posts detailing the “Open Internet” tests that he’s piloting with some teachers at St. Gregory School, Arizona, and I’m just loving the thinking. One paragraph truly stood out at me:

‘We know that content memorization must no longer be the goal of our learning programs; what our goal must be is that students can make the most sense of the voluminous and fast-accelerating quantity of information which will forever be at their fingertips, and about which they must be able to think critically, to select, to evaluate, to apply, and to amend as they tackle challenging problems. So why shouldn’t our school-tests evaluate our students ability to do exactly this? Why not structure tests appropriately, and then invite and welcome (and require) our students to use their computers on their tests? Isn’t this real world, and real life, preparation?’

The thinking behind this idea is, I feel, spot on. Although we’re still deep within the rote memorization aspect of education, in the future- that fast accelerating future that’s heading toward us at an alarming rate- what does that hold?

For sure, it must necessarily hold education, examination, coursework, homework and teaching which takes full advantage of the powerful tools at our fingertips. At Stepping Stone Tutors, we’re already doing this, providing online education for ASVAB, K-12, K-14, SAT etc tests. But we’re massively excited to see where these more modern forms of education might go.

We imagine a world where test are not based on mere memorization and writing ability, but that use the Internet, smart phones, laptops and the like to place students in like-working-environments, where they can use the knowledge they have gained in simulated real-life scenarios. Surely this would be a more telling, less ‘monotonous’ way of testing?

We also see places where where lessons are held online, with feedback being streamed through Google Hangouts, or Twitter Streams. We see children using interactive materials (ebooks, interactive PDFs), which use entertainment and interactivity to the best advantage whereby knowledge retention is hugely increased, compared to simple ‘paper-based’ learning.

The possibilities are simply Amazing, and we’re delighted to be a part- if only small- of this shift.

Over the past ten years the Internet has undergone some major changes. With the advent of YouTube, Myspace, Twitter and, of course, Facebook large chunks of people’s personal lives are now lived online.

When you think about all of the advancements that the internet has made in the last decade, is social media the first thought to leap to your mind? Does that seem sad to anyone else? Thanks to search engines and the sprawling knowledge available through the internet the phrase “I wonder” should be a thing of the past, an outdated and archaic thought used by those who used to have to get their information from books or teachers instead of their Smartphone.

When you see teenagers huddled around a computer at the library it’s less likely that they’re contemplating questions for SAT test prep than watching a video where a kitten dominates a pit bull. With the better uses of the internet being overshadowed by the more social and shallow pursuits perhaps it’s time to point out that Facebook is NOT the internet.

Facebook Statistics

To make my point, I feel that it’s important to share some of the 2011 Facebook statistics as they were compiled by www.onlineschools.org. Some of the key points are as follows:

• As of 2011 there were 500,000,000 active Facebook users worldwide. Which means roughly 1 in 13 people across the globe use Facebook.
• Liking “drugs” was up 1131.9% in 2011.
• Facebook was the most searched term in 2010 for the second year running.
• 57% of people talk to people more online than they do in real life.
• 48% of young Americans said they find out about news through Facebook.
• Of the 18-34 group of Facebook users, 48% check Facebook first thing in the morning, and 28% check it on their Smartphone before they even get out of bed.
• There are 206.2 million internet users in the United States. 71.2% of them are on Facebook.

What Does It All Mean?

What do these statistics say about internet use today (besides that most of us are compulsively drawn to Facebook not unlike a drug addiction)? While they may not spell it out directly I think that these statistics make a pretty good case that most young people today spend a great majority of their time online on Facebook.

I myself have found myself falling victim to the pull of the mighty Facebook while attempting to study. While taking my real estate licensing course I had a terrible addiction to Farmville, one of Facebook’s most popular games. I would come home from work, prepared to devote only a small chunk of winding-down time to Farmville.

An hour later I would realize that I’d clipped off some imperative study time tending imaginary crops and livestock. So I had to do the unthinkable: quit cold-turkey (no pun intended).

I was able to do so in order to finish my license work, but I found myself stricken by the impact of such a pointless endeavor. Is it really necessary for me to see what pointless and mindless chatter my friends (450+, perhaps 15 of which I really know at this point) are posting before I begin my daily work?

And when did imaginary crops become more important than pursuing my coveted real estate license? I had to proverbially smack myself out of it.

What Does This Mean For Students?

For me, Facebook was becoming a serious hindrance on my ability to concentrate on school work. After all, with one simple click of the mouse you could be learning about what Mindy bought at the grocery store today!

Might not seem too exciting to the common lay-person, but when compared with studying biochemistry Mindy’s yogurt choices start looking pretty cool! For parents of high school age and younger children I think that it’s important to set Facebook boundaries now.

There are plenty of online parental control programs available that will allow you to restrict your child’s online choices, even if only for certain time frames. Helping them to set and understand the importance of parameters with respect to their study time now might help them develop healthier online decision making in the long run.

Otherwise you might find that by the time you’ve spent a small fortune on K-12 tuition for the best education around the only thing you’re left with is a child with a Master’s degree in Likes. Take time to make sure that they understand the vast resources of the internet for help with their school work. If ever there has been a place to find actual interesting teaching tools the modern internet is it!

Don’t get me wrong: Facebook has many great features. It’s a great way to connect with long lost school friends, it really is a pretty good way to keep up with current events (believe it or not!), its strength as a marketing tool is ever-expanding, and it can be a great way to vent the small but humorous happenings of your life to others. Much like you shouldn’t let alcoholism or other addictions take over your life, however, it’s important that you pay the same close attention to your Facebook time.

Because contrary to the belief of teenagers everywhere, Facebook is NOT the internet.
 

For centuries the game has remained the same: Teachers have struggled to find new and interesting ways to engage their otherwise bored-of-stimuli students. In today’s classrooms, however, there are a number of new and interesting tools available to teachers that can hold the attention of even the most cool-for-school. So in keeping with further introducing the power of the internet to the classroom is it now time that we try using social media platforms as a teaching aid?

The Pros

Nothing holds a young adults attention quite like Facebook. Ask any teenager and you’ll probably find that they spend some 20-50% of their free time on Facebook, Twitter or some other manner of social media. So how about it we try this out for size: that it stands to reason that if you could find a way to implement your instruction to a social media platform you might find their attention is more easily swayed than by the trees blowing in the wind outside the classroom window. Secondly, one of Facebook’s greatest features is that it allows users from across the globe to connect with each other. Particularly in foreign language or cultural studies this could prove a very engaging and useful tool. It could be useful to pair students in class with other’s across the country for SAT test prep sessions. Lastly, statistics have shown that young adults are learning something on Facebook: 2011 Facebook statistics released by www.onlineschools.org shows that 48% of young adults say they find out about news through Facebook. So people who would otherwise be uninterested in current events are absorbing it using social media platforms.

The Cons

In particularly when using social media I think it would be difficult to keep students on track without constant observation and monitoring. For instance, if you were to give them each their own computer and allow them time to chat with a peer from another country you’d probably want to monitor each chat to make sure they’re not deviating from the subject matter, if you will. After all, as a teacher it’s unlikely that you would want to be the cupid in charge of spurring a romantic online relationship between your student in Ohio and a nice boy in India. How would you keep them from discreetly ditching their task for a chat with a friend? Perhaps the best way to utilize social media for educational purposes would be by holding the controls yourself, teaching from a large monitor or projection screen. Another important thing to watch out for, especially in using Facebook, is the occasional hacking spree with leaves your account spewing out pornographic invitations to everyone on your friends list. More than one parent might object to their K-12 tuition dollars being used to subject their child to any form of pornographic material while at school, no matter how brief or accidental that encounter. The mere unpredictability of social media in this manner and others might be a serious hindrance to any good that might come for using it as an educational tool.

Social media has a definite place online. It’s a great marketing tool, a way for friends and family spread across the globe to stay in touch and it can offer some educational components in it’s own right. For cultural studies it could be a groundbreaking tool. But using it as an educational supplement will require some definite attention to monitoring and controls that I haven’t seen available as of yet. Until you can ensure that your students stay on task and that online predators and hackers won’t present objectionable material to young minds under your supervision it might be best to leave social media to the after school hours.

Writing doesn’t always come naturally, and even the best writers can learn to hone their skills. For any level of writing help from kindergarten through adult, there are tutors available to help the student master the art of writing. Tutors can also assist students who are learning English as a second language. The writing tutor can help with homework assignments, writing papers, preparing for exams and general knowledge. They are also helpful for students with learning disabilities.

A Qualified Writing Tutor to Help You

The tutors with Stepping Stone Tutors can meet with the student at a convenient time and place, such as the student’s home, office or the local public library. These students have college degrees and have attained at least three years teaching experience. All the tutors have also passed background checks, so you can meet with them in absolute comfort. To get the writing tutor who can help you, visit the Stepping Stone Tutors website to get started.

Many smart people need reading help. Some of them struggle with dyslexia or another learning disability and others have just never been taught how to read. There are, however, tutors that specialize in helping both children and adults learn to read or learn to read better. These tutors have experience teaching and are familiar with learning disabilities that often hinder a person’s ability to read well. This help is available through the service at Stepping Stone Tutors.

Reading Help from Qualified and Experienced Tutors

Reading help is not a mystery. These tutors have already helped many struggling students read better to do better in school or at work and to pass tests and exams that require reading. If English is your second language, these tutors can help you, too. Visit the Stepping Stone Tutors website to be matched with your tutor. These tutors have been thoroughly background checked, have attained a college or university degree and have at least three years teaching experience.

If you need help with any level of algebra, geometry, trigonometry or calculus, there are math tutors in Las Vegas to help you. For high school or college level, these tutors can help you if you are struggling with math, or can help an average student become above average to qualify for the best colleges and universities. These tutors have experience in education, and many are familiar with learning disabilities that prevent students from excelling in school.

The Math Tutor in Las Vegas Can Meet You Almost Anywhere

The math tutor in Las Vegas that meets with you has already passed a background check, and their credentials have been verified by the tutoring organization. The tutor can meet with you in your home, at your parents’ office or at the local library. They will meet with you anywhere that is safe, convenient and conducive to a good learning environment. Visit the Stepping Stone Tutors website to get started!

There are many reasons why students are not able to stay in school to complete their diploma. But eventually, many students decide that it is worth going back and getting it later in life. If you have found yourself in this position, be proud and be glad, because the help that you need to succeed is available. A GED tutor can meet with you at the time and place that is convenient for you to study and learn.

Get Matched With the Perfect GED Tutor in Your Area

The GED tutor you find through Stepping Stone Tutors has passed a background check and has at least three years of experience helping people pass their GED exam. They are able to help you through each and every section of the exam and give you the confidence you need to pass the test. Many students are able to pass on their very first try. With the help at Stepping Stone Tutors, one of these students can be you. Visit the Stepping Stone Tutors website to get your perfect tutoring match today.

Many students need algebra help. It is a complicated subject, but with the proper instructor, you can understand it. Sometimes students just need the information presented in a different way in order for it to make sense. The tutors at Stepping Stone Tutors have experience in helping students conquer algebra, and they can also help even if the student struggles with a learning disability that makes it difficult for them to learn algebra and other subjects.

Algebra Help from Qualified, Experienced Tutors

To get the algebra help you need, contact Stepping Stone Tutors. They will match the student with a qualified tutor that has proven experience and has passed a background check. The tutor can meet you in your home after school, at your parents’ office in the evenings or in a local libaray. Wherever is convenient for you and an appropriate place to learn. Visit the Stepping Stone Tutors website to get started on your way to algebra success.

In Home Tutoring You Can Trust

It can be scary trying to hire someone for in home tutoring. You want someone who is knowledgeable in the subject, but you also need someone with a clean background who you can trust in your home, around your kids and with your belongings. That is why Stepping Stone Tutoring came into existence. It is their job to place qualified, background checked tutors with people in need of these services. When you need a tutor, it is the safest, surest way to find one.

In Home Tutoring from Experienced Tutors

In home tutoring can be done when it is best for you. These tutors have teaching backgrounds and many also have training and experience with special education, making them familiar with learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, dyslexia and many other conditions that make it difficult for students to learn. Whether you are struggling in a subject or just want the best chance to succeed in your education, trust Stepping Stone Tutors to find the right match for you.

A French Tutor Who Makes the Grade

It does you very little good if your French tutor knows not much more than the other students in your class. When you are in need of tutoring, turn to the source of native French speakers or those who have University degrees in the language. These tutors know French and English well enough to get virtually any native English speaker through their high school, advanced high school or college level French classes.

Professional French Tutor Referrals

The French tutor you need to succeed can be found at Stepping Stone Tutors. Before hiring their tutors, all of the tutors are screened and background checked. These tutors make the grade, and are ready to meet with you in your home, at your office, at your parents’ office or even at the local library. Any time and place that is convenient for you, your tutor can meet with you and work with you. To start learning better French today, contact Stepping Stone Tutors to be matched with your perfect tutor.

Knowledgeable and Safe Biology Tutor

Some students want a leg up on their education and others are struggling to learn a new subject. There are many reasons people may need a biology tutor, but it is sometimes hard to find a teacher that is both qualified to teach the subject and proven to be a safe person to meet with in your home. When you are hiring a tutor to work with one of your children, both of these factors become very important. For this reason, Stepping Stone Tutors hires only tutors with a proven background in the field of study and does background checks to insure this person is safe with your kids and in your home.

Biology Tutor for Any Level

A biology tutor from Stepping Stone Tutors is able to help any student on any level of study. Many of their students are high school students or are in advanced placement high school classes. Other students are already in college. Whatever level of tutoring you may need in biology, science, math, foreign languages or other subjects, depend on the tried and true tutors at Stepping Stone Tutors to help.

Get the Biology Help You Need

When you need biology help on any level from high school (including advanced classes) through college, trust the tutors at Stepping Stone Tutors to get you through. These tutors are screened and checked before they are hired to insure you are getting the highest quality of tutoring from a safe and reliable souce. The tutoring help is available when and where it is most convenient for you to study and learn. The tutor can come to your home or can meet you at the office or in the public libarary.

Biology Help You Can Trust

Biology help is available for students needing help in this difficult subject. Many of these tutors have a background in education or special education and they are familiar with common learning disabilities that make learning difficult for many students. When you need help in science, math, studying for the ACT or any other academic achievement you strive for, depend on the tutors at Stepping Stone Tutors to get you through and on your way!

ASVAB Tutoring for Every Part of the Exam

Joining the military is a brave and honorable commitment, and the professionals at Stepping Stone Tutors are honored to be a part of your decision to serve our country. ASVAB tutoring is available to help you through all parts of the exam, including General Science, Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, and Mathematics knowledge. Our tutors have at least three years experience in helping students prepare for the ASVAB.

ASVAB Tutoring When and Where You Need It

ASVAB tutoring is available in your home, at your office or anywhere else that is comfortable and convenient for you to study. Many students prefer to meet their tutor at the local library. Tutors are screened including a background check, so you have no worries about meeting with them to study. Visit Stepping Stone Tutors website to get a jump start on your military career today!

The term dumb jock has often been used when speaking of student athletes. While the term may have once had some merit in social circles and science clubs, research shows that it is far from accurate. In fact, recent studies indicate that students who participate in activities tend to have higher GPA’s, better attendance records, lower dropout rates, and fewer discipline problems than non-active students.

Studies of various high schools across the nation conducted by the National Federation of State High School Associations conclude that activities are inherently educational and foster success later in life. Through participating in sports students learn teamwork, winning and losing, sportsmanship, build self-confidence, the rewards of hard work, self-discipline, and cultivate skills to handle competitive situations. Also, sports participants generally take average or above average classes.

A poll of individuals in executive level positions at Fortune 500 companies revealed that 95% of the corporate executives participated in sports in high school. Often, participation in activities is a predictor of later success as athletes are more involved in school activities and typically remain involved in their community after graduation. Sports encourage students to be more independent and self-sustained, and teens that are active with sports and other activities (i.e. employment or productive hobbies) are more likely to succeed. It has also been show that minority athletes specifically are more socially involved than there non-active counterparts.

A survey of high school principals in all fifty states indicates 95% believe participation in activities teaches valuable life lessons. Participation in sports simply helps students have a better attitude. There is a positive correlation between athletic participation, academic performance, and self-esteem (Braddock, Jomills H., II. “Race, Athletics, and Educational Attainment – Dispelling the Myths,” Youth and Society, Volume 12, Number 3, March 1981, 335-349). Lack of participation in sports is associated with a greater propensity to be involved in delinquent behavior. Aspirations of African-American youth appear to be positively affected by participation in athletic activities (Picou, J. Steven and E.W. Curry. “Athletic Success as a Facilitator of Adolescents’ Mobility Orientations – A Black and White Comparison.” 1974, Atlanta).

Committing to having your student involved in a sport or school related activity will prove to have far reaching benefits. Your student will improve academically, socially, be more involved in the community, and have a higher predisposition for succeed later in life.

So, is dumb jock an accurate assessment, or are might athletes be the better students after all?

The ASVAB, which stands for the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, is a test that can be taken as early as your sophomore year in high school if you are interested in joining a branch of the military. The ASVAB consists of nine sections including general science, arithmetic reasoning, word knowledge, paragraph comprehension, and mathematics knowledge. A Stepping Stone ASVAB test prep tutor can help prepare you for the above mentioned sections, which are most important for Armed Forces Qualifying Test score, or AFQT score. The AFQT score that results from the ASVAB will determine if you qualify to enlist in the military.  Each military branch has a required minimum score. Stepping Stone Tutors offer in-home tutors for ASVAB test prep as well as online tutors for the math and science portions of the exam. If you are planning to take the ASVAB and are interested in an in-home tutor, please visit www.steppingstonetutors.com.