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Online Publication (Source: msn.ca)
Struggling students, there's always Tutorgiant.com
by Marc Saltzman
Whether you're pulling your hair out over algebra or struggling with science, a new Canadian website, Tutorgiant.com, is trying to help students with on-demand instructional videos and accompanying printable worksheets.
Sympatico / MSN's Tech & Gadgets caught up with Stuart Ackerman, the Toronto-based founder, writer and host for Tutorgiant.com, about what's available at the site, how it works, and the costs involved.
Sympatico / MSN: What's the idea behind Tutorgiant.com?
Ackerman: Tutorgiant.com is a website that allows users to watch and participate in video-based classroom lessons. Each video lesson contains instructions by a certified teacher, and worksheets that are taken up at the end of the video. Videos are available 24/7, on demand, and we have combined educational curricula from 3 American States, 2 Canadian Provinces, India and Europe. We presently have every math lesson from grades 1 through 8, and a huge database of grammar and reading lessons. We are currently releasing high school math and science.
Sympatico / MSN: Can you watch the videos as often as you like?
Ackerman: Yes, absolutely. Classroom lessons are only taught once in school but they are available any time on demand at Tutorgiant.com. Tutorgiant.com is perfect for tutoring, homework help, homeschooling, and busy families.
Sympatico / MSN: What's your background?
Ackerman: I'm a certified teacher in both Canada and the United States. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from York University in Toronto and a Master's of Science in Education degree from Canisius College in New York State. I have more than 12 years of classroom teaching experience in the public school system and I'm a specialist in Reading and Mathematics for primary, junior, intermediate, and senior students. I've also taught and/or tutored every subject from grade 1 to 12.
Sympatico / MSN: Speaking of which, how many grades, subjects and lessons do you offer? How many do you have planned?
Ackerman: Tutorgiant.com presently has every math concept from grades 1-8 and some in grade 9. Tutorgiant has most reading and grammar skills from grades 1 through 8. I expect to have about 1,000 video lessons, including high school math, by the end of 2009.
Sympatico / MSN: How is this better than an instructional DVD?
Ackerman: You just need an Internet connection for Tutorgiant, but you need a DVD player and TV for a DVD. Lessons are always being updated and new lessons are always being added. Plus, I don't think there are any DVDs out there that have video lessons remotely similar to mine. Another benefit to Tutorgiant is users can become members for two weeks if they just need it for a test or exam.
Sympatico MSN: Is this more economical than a tutor? Please explain or compare.
Ackerman: Private tutors cost an average of $40 to $50 per hour. Online tutoring costs an average of a few dollars per minute (see tutor.com, they charge something like $25 for 50 minutes). With Onlinetutor.com, users can watch the free sample videos on the homepage and if interested, they can sign up for a two week trial for $49, which is the same price as a one hour session with a private tutor.
Sympatico / MSN: The site offers printable worksheets related to the lesson but how does a student know if the answer (or process to figuring out the answer) is correct?
Ackerman: I have a PowerPoint presentation at the end of each video, so you can see the correct answers, plus I review the process of figuring out the answers in the powerpoint presentation.
Sympatico / MSN: How easy is this site to navigate if you're not tech savvy?
Ackerman: Users sign up and receive a password in their email. They simply login by typing in their email address and password. Then, members can watch videos by clicking on "Search videos by grade" or "Search videos by subject," or just "Search videos."
Sympatico / MSN: Any success stories yet on struggling students doing well with these lessons?
Ackerman: Yes, I've had a student with a "working memory disability" who benefited a great deal with the videos. I have had a family that home school their children and have benefitted from the math videos. I often get positive feedback from parents who like the fact that Tutorgiant is a very economical alternative to private and online tutoring. Parents have told me that they sit and watch the videos with their children. The videos help the parents understand the concepts so they are better able to help their children.
Sympatico / MSN: Finally, what's next for TutorGiant?
Ackerman: I'm presently working on high school math and physics. I am starting an educational blog very soon. I will have most of high school math up for the September '09 school year. I am also presently working on high school physics.
(Source: msn.ca)
by Marc Saltzman
Whether you're pulling your hair out over algebra or struggling with science, a new Canadian website, Tutorgiant.com, is trying to help students with on-demand instructional videos and accompanying printable worksheets.
Sympatico / MSN's Tech & Gadgets caught up with Stuart Ackerman, the Toronto-based founder, writer and host for Tutorgiant.com, about what's available at the site, how it works, and the costs involved.
Sympatico / MSN: What's the idea behind Tutorgiant.com?
Ackerman: Tutorgiant.com is a website that allows users to watch and participate in video-based classroom lessons. Each video lesson contains instructions by a certified teacher, and worksheets that are taken up at the end of the video. Videos are available 24/7, on demand, and we have combined educational curricula from 3 American States, 2 Canadian Provinces, India and Europe. We presently have every math lesson from grades 1 through 8, and a huge database of grammar and reading lessons. We are currently releasing high school math and science.
Sympatico / MSN: Can you watch the videos as often as you like?
Ackerman: Yes, absolutely. Classroom lessons are only taught once in school but they are available any time on demand at Tutorgiant.com. Tutorgiant.com is perfect for tutoring, homework help, homeschooling, and busy families.
Sympatico / MSN: What's your background?
Ackerman: I'm a certified teacher in both Canada and the United States. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from York University in Toronto and a Master's of Science in Education degree from Canisius College in New York State. I have more than 12 years of classroom teaching experience in the public school system and I'm a specialist in Reading and Mathematics for primary, junior, intermediate, and senior students. I've also taught and/or tutored every subject from grade 1 to 12.
Sympatico / MSN: Speaking of which, how many grades, subjects and lessons do you offer? How many do you have planned?
Ackerman: Tutorgiant.com presently has every math concept from grades 1-8 and some in grade 9. Tutorgiant has most reading and grammar skills from grades 1 through 8. I expect to have about 1,000 video lessons, including high school math, by the end of 2009.
Sympatico / MSN: How is this better than an instructional DVD?
Ackerman: You just need an Internet connection for Tutorgiant, but you need a DVD player and TV for a DVD. Lessons are always being updated and new lessons are always being added. Plus, I don't think there are any DVDs out there that have video lessons remotely similar to mine. Another benefit to Tutorgiant is users can become members for two weeks if they just need it for a test or exam.
Sympatico MSN: Is this more economical than a tutor? Please explain or compare.
Ackerman: Private tutors cost an average of $40 to $50 per hour. Online tutoring costs an average of a few dollars per minute (see tutor.com, they charge something like $25 for 50 minutes). With Onlinetutor.com, users can watch the free sample videos on the homepage and if interested, they can sign up for a two week trial for $49, which is the same price as a one hour session with a private tutor.
Sympatico / MSN: The site offers printable worksheets related to the lesson but how does a student know if the answer (or process to figuring out the answer) is correct?
Ackerman: I have a PowerPoint presentation at the end of each video, so you can see the correct answers, plus I review the process of figuring out the answers in the powerpoint presentation.
Sympatico / MSN: How easy is this site to navigate if you're not tech savvy?
Ackerman: Users sign up and receive a password in their email. They simply login by typing in their email address and password. Then, members can watch videos by clicking on "Search videos by grade" or "Search videos by subject," or just "Search videos."
Sympatico / MSN: Any success stories yet on struggling students doing well with these lessons?
Ackerman: Yes, I've had a student with a "working memory disability" who benefited a great deal with the videos. I have had a family that home school their children and have benefitted from the math videos. I often get positive feedback from parents who like the fact that Tutorgiant is a very economical alternative to private and online tutoring. Parents have told me that they sit and watch the videos with their children. The videos help the parents understand the concepts so they are better able to help their children.
Sympatico / MSN: Finally, what's next for TutorGiant?
Ackerman: I'm presently working on high school math and physics. I am starting an educational blog very soon. I will have most of high school math up for the September '09 school year. I am also presently working on high school physics.
(Source: msn.ca)