It's back to school time and while most of us are quietly cheering at the thought of having our days back to ourselves, returning to school also brings with it different stresses.

The routines associated with getting the kids to school, to co curricula activities as well as completing homework correctly, on time and without tears and tantrums can sometimes be a daunting task.

It is not unusual at this time of year for parents to investigate and employ a tutor to support their children's learning. There are a myriad of computer programs, coaching colleges, tutors with various levels of expertise and you can now even go online for help with your homework through a business. For example, we launched The Online Tutor late last year (www.theonlinetutor.com.au). These options cater for a wide range of budgets.

So what should you look for in a tutor?

1. Ask your friends - Nothing beats advertising by word of mouth. If you know someone who has a tutor that they are happy with, chances are you'll be happy too.
2. Experience counts - teachers have been trained to communicate and explain. They do it everyday in their jobs and turn it into an art form. They usually have a vast array of resources including books, worksheets and concrete materials at their fingertips. Better still if you can get an experienced SC or HSC marker as they know the secrets of simple things that will achieve marks when it counts. If you can afford it spend the extra money - it is well worth it.
3. Flexible, student orientated tutorials. The tutorial should be somewhat flexible, student directed and material covered should be similar to what has been studied in class the previous week. Tutors should not be teaching new concepts to your child. They are there to revise or re-teach work not understood in class. If your child is feeling confident with classwork, tutors can always help prepare for major exams or give harder problem solving type questions. After all, if your child was confident with their schoolwork all the time, you wouldn't be employing a tutor in the first place!
4. Your child should feel confident and happy with the tutor. While I wouldn't be expecting them to be jumping for joy at the prospect of going to tutoring, you shouldn't be dragging them there kicking and screaming either. If they're refusing to complete homework for the tutor and school and are generally disinterested in the help you are offering then you may as well throw money down the toilet - it's far less frustrating! If this is the case then you need to look at other options, such as having school work simplified in Years K - 8, changing courses in Years 9 - 12, discontinuing maths or even school in Years 11 & 12, being assessed for learning difficulties, changing tutors, the list is endless.

Tutors can be an integral and beneficial resource to have. Not only can they help improve marks but self confidence as well.

Author: Kathryn Darcy, Principal - The Online Tutor

The Online Tutor offers help and support to students with difficulties in mathematics. Packages are available for unlimited email/chat as well as for appointments (regular or one-off) with an experienced maths teacher and SC marker. Check us out at www.theonlinetutor.com.au.

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