Technology: Making Your Holiday Gifts Smart

Think of it as something like substituting prune puree for butter in your favorite brownie recipe. These high-tech toys may look and act like your everyday gadgets and gizmos – but secretly, they have the power to inspire learning under the guise of fun and convenience.

More Expensive (but very cool)

Amazon Kindle

This wireless hand-held reading device allows you to download the most recent books, magazines and newspapers with the push of a button. Weighing in at 10.3 ounces, your library just became portable. Price: $259.00

The Pulse

This digital smartpen “records everything you hear, say and write, and links your audio recordings to your notes.” A great gift for students (and adults!) of all ages. Price: $169.95

Dragon Naturally Speaking

Voice recognition software enables the busy body to take notes, write emails (to private SAT tutors!), and access their desktop – all by the power of the spoken word! Also available as a FREE iPhone application! Price: $99.99-$199.99

Less Expensive

Big Brain Academy (for Wii)

Earn a Wii Degree! Challenge yourself or a friend to a game that tests your aptitude in five areas: analysis, memory, visual recognition, number crunching, and quick thinking. Price: $29.99

M2Match2 (for your iPhone)

Practice your route memory and hand-eye coordination in short blasts. This iPhone application will strengthen your recognition and speed with catchy pictures and the touch of your fingertips! Price: $0.99

Vocabulary Cartoons Lite (for your iPhone)

It’s always a perfect time to improve your vocabulary repertoire. This FREE iPhone application implements cartoons and rhymes to help you remember even the most insipid of words. Price: Free!

Test Day Tips for Standardized Tests

Standardized tests are a fact of every student’s life. Whether applying to private school, college, or graduate school, standardized tests pop up again and again – whether students like it or not.

Succeeding on these exams is as much about a student’s mind being in the right place on test day as anything else. I remember tossing and turning the night before a standardized test with anxiety about all the things that could go wrong on test day that were outside of my control: the power would go out while I was sleeping and my alarm clock wouldn’t go off, all of my pencils would break in my backpack, or worse yet … I feared that I forgot to register for the exam! After months of hard work and preparation, we shouldn’t let these self-defeating thoughts take us hostage on test day. We should approach test day with confidence knowing that our hard work and preparation will pay off.

Here are a few reminders and tips to help optimize your performance on test day:

1. Review your registration information to make certain you know where to arrive and when.

2. Bring a valid student ID, bottle of water, watch, tissues, and a snack with you to the exam.

3. Bring at least three semi-dull number 2 pencils with erasers to use on the exam. Sharpened pencils break easily and mechanical pencils involve too much clicking (dull pencils are also better for shading in circles).

4. Bring erasable pens with you to the exam to use on the essay section (if there is one). It is better to erase your mistakes than to cross them out, and erasable pens will enable you to do this.

5. Wear comfortable shoes so that you can easily move your toes. Wiggling your toes during the exam will help you to stay focused and keep your blood flowing!

6. Eat a balanced breakfast that is satiating but not so filling that you feel sleepy. You can eat snacks during your break periods, so don’t over eat at the breakfast table, but also don’t skip out on the most important meal of the day! I have listed some of my favorite breakfast and snack suggestions below:

• A piece of whole grain toast with nut butter (I prefer almond butter) and a glass of fresh juice. Cut up a granny smith apple to bring as a snack.
• 2 scrambled eggs, a piece of whole grain toast, and a glass of fresh juice. Bring a handful of almonds and a banana or apple slices for a snack.
• 1 cup of oatmeal or other hot, whole grain cereal with almonds and raisins sprinkled on top. Bring a hardboiled egg and a piece of fruit as a snack.

7. Bring something enjoyable to read with you to the exam. After you have finished and reviewed the section of the exam you are working on, you may have time leftover before the start of the next section. Rather than twiddling your thumbs, read something entertaining and relaxing. Don’t read anything that would compromise your sense of confidence or focus.

8. Dress for success, but wear something comfortable. The better you look and feel, the more confident you will perform! My mother told me to wear my favorite pair of socks on test day and to think of this hidden joy as my secret weapon. Think of something that will work for you to calm your nerves and give you something to smile about on test day.

9. Relax, Breathe, and Succeed! We are all rooting for you!

Planning the SAT Timeline (continued)

PART 2: Making a Timeline

(Haven't read Part 1 yet? Catch up here)

First, let’s address a topic that we’re asked about all the time: The SAT vs. the ACT.

So here’s the deal: All colleges and universities accept both the SAT and the ACT. Some students opt to take both exams to figure out which one they prefer—however, we recommend that students focus their study time on one exam instead of dividing their energy between two exams (that are used for the same purpose!).

Another question we hear: When do I start studying?

For the SAT or ACT, students should begin studying no later than three months prior to their test date. Many students then opt for the SAT in March, or the ACT in February or April, and again in the fall (October or September, respectively). So juniors planning on taking the March 2010 SAT should get started soon. Students who want to be extra prepared for spring tests often begin with a light study load as early as September.

And how about the SAT Subject Tests (AKA the SAT II’s)?

Most students prefer 4-6 weeks of preparation before a SAT Subject Test. Since material on SAT Subject Tests aligns so closely with content taught in academic subjects, we recommend that students take the SAT II in May or June. As for which test to take, students are typically best served by taking the SAT II's that match their best subjects in school.

When planning out a timeline, remember to take into account all vacations (if studying will be on hold during them), and begin preparation earlier to accommodate the missed weeks. Consider also the schedules of sports and other activities that may hamper a student’s energy level and ability to devote time to test prep when planning things out. Finally, students often find it difficult to dedicate time to test prep while studying for final exams, so standardized tests should only coincide with final exams in the case of a Subject Test in the same subject as an exam being taken.

Here is a step-by-step guide to determining test dates:

1. Look at SAT and ACT schedules
2. Consider the schedules of vacations, extra-curricular activities, and final exams
3. Choose test dates
a. Count weeks backwards from the test dates to account for the time needed to prepare
b. Circle preparation start-dates
4. Begin exploring options for assistance (classes, SAT tutoring, self-study, etc!)

Good luck!

Planning the SAT Timeline (Start Now!)

Part 1: Winter Break- A Perfect Time for SAT Planning

Recently conquering the planning and execution of the infamous Thanksgiving Dinner has given me a deepened appreciation for today’s students. Not only do they have to juggle school work, extra-curricular activities, and family time on a daily basis—but the demands are year-round!

It is no wonder that many of our private SAT tutors spend significant time with their students practicing the habits of the How of school—skills that relate to organization, time management, and scheduling out adequate time for exam preparation. Not only are these fundamental practices are the necessary in order to be successful in school, students will use these skills for the rest of their lives.

Planning ahead is even more important when students begin taking standardized tests. Since most tests happen in the spring, winter break is an ideal time for parents to sit down with their student and figure out the test-taking timeline.

Before you sit down for this discussion, parents and students should have the following calendars at their disposal:

• The 2010 SAT Schedule: offered in January, March, May, June, October, November, and December (exact dates here)

• The 2010 ACT Schedule: offered in February, April, June, September, October, and December (exact dates here)

• The student’s Final Exam Schedule

• Vacation Dates

• Sports/Extra-Curricular Activities Schedules

And don’t forget to take a deep breath. Remember, even junior year is manageable if you plan ahead and pace yourself!

What Makes An Effective Tutor?

Part 4: Working Toward Independence

What can seem like a great student-tutor match may actually be detrimental to a student in the long run if the tutor is functioning as a crutch. We often think about the old proverb, “Feed a man a fish and he will eat for a night; teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime” – a good tutor or private SAT tutor is always trying to teach the student to fish and leave the student independently successful. A tutor should be a mentor and a coach, but never an assistant.

Tutoring should be about building skills for life success as much as student success. In Part 3 below, we discussed our view of student achievement through the three-layered prism of the What, How, and Why. We believe that independence must be built in all three of these areas.

In the What layer (subject matter understanding), students must not simply learn to memorize formulas or methods needed to succeed on one test or assignment, but rather, they need to be taught to grasp the underlying concepts at hand. That level of depth of understanding will stick with a student and forms the foundation for future independent understanding.

When it comes to the How layer (fundamental student skills), a tutor must work with the student to build long-lasting skills relating to organization, time management, studying, writing, problem-solving, presenting, student-teacher interaction, etc., etc. These skills, if truly ingrained in a student’s habits and understanding, will provide the bedrock for success in college, graduate school, and an eventual career – all well beyond the tutor’s time with the student.

It is often true foundational strides in the above areas that leads to real changes in a student’s confidence, motivation, and attitude, or what we call the Why of school. A student that succeeds but feels that he or she did so mainly because of a tutor’s help is not going to have gained any inner confidence from tutoring, and any increase in motivation will likely be short-lived. But when a student really begins to believe in his or herself, it can result in a whole new attitude, and the results can be staggering. This is why we come to work every day!

What Makes An Effective Tutor?

Part 3: Addressing the Whole Story – the WHAT, HOW, and WHY of School

The struggles of nearly every one of our students can be broken down into three layers – what we at Launch Education Group call the What, How, and Why of school.

What – The What refers to the subject matter itself—the concepts being taught in school and a student’s understanding of that material. A tutor should look for gaps in a student’s knowledge that may plague the student again and again, stay attentive to the ways in which each particular student learns best, and adjust his or her teaching approach to best fit each student.

How – Beneath the What is what we call the How of school – all of the fundamental skills and study habits a student needs in order to succeed, from study strategies to binder organization to paper-outlining to time management. Often what seems like a struggle with subject matter is really a deficiency in basic student skills. In these situations, addressing subject matter only will not lead to sufficient improvement.

Why – At the core of every student’s success is his or her inner motivation and confidence. Students who don’t feel positive about themselves as students and feel less-than-hopeful about their chances of succeeding will begin to put in less effort. On the surface, this usually comes across as laziness or a bad attitude, but both work ethic and attitude can shift dramatically when a student’s confidence is enhanced. A tutor must keep a close eye out for confidence problems and work over time to build a positive attitude and optimistic outlook in the student.

Not all students are struggling in all three of these layers – but a good tutor needs to be skilled in recognizing all potential reasons that a student may be underachieving, especially when it comes to SAT test prep.

What Makes An Effective Tutor?

Part 2: The Right Match

Matching is a key skill of a great tutoring company. An effective tutoring director has a knack for making the right student-tutor matches (usually based on years of experiences making successful matches and, yes, some bad matches along the way). A skilled director will always consider the following when making a match:

1. Aside from the obvious need to match the student’s subject need with the tutor’s subject-teaching ability, the teaching style must be matched correctly. Some tutors are great verbally, others are excellent visual demonstrators; some are fast-paced teachers, others move slowly and deliberately; some are high energy and talkative, others are…well, you get the point.


2. The student’s personality must be matched to the right tutor personality. For this reason, social intelligence and understanding the pre-adult psyche is a critical skill of a tutoring company director. True improvement almost always goes hand-in-hand with the a terrific student-tutor relationship—the student has to respect the tutor as a mentor and role model while also being able to connect with the tutor based on common interests and humor. If the student isn’t looking forward to the tutor coming over for a session, academic improvement will be difficult to achieve, especially something as delicate as SAT tutoring.

What Makes An Effective Tutor?

Part 1: Hiring the Right People

What makes an effective tutor?

For the past five years, we have obsessed over that question. Through our work with hundreds of students, tutors of all sorts, and private SAT tutors, we feel pretty confident now that we’ve got it figured out. Though every student’s struggle and road to improvement is unique, our success has been drawn from adhering to a few basic principles of how student improvement really happens.

Let’s begin with hiring. What are the qualities that any tutor must have to be effective?

1. Freshness with and experience teaching the subject or subjects they will be working with – it doesn’t matter how good you were at chemistry in high school, if you haven’t done it in the last year, you will be rusty.


2. The natural ability to teach – some people have it, and some people just don’t. A good tutor can get inside the head of a student, view the material from the student’s perspective, and adjust his or her teaching accordingly.


3. A personality to connect with at least one type of student and the passion to do so – if you’re in the student’s home purely to pay your bills, the student can usually tell.

A tutor who does not possess all three of these qualities should never be hired.

Welcome!

Welcome to the Launch Education blog!

Launch Education is an academic tutoring company in Los Angeles and New York that began in 2005. Since then, we have worked with hundreds of students, tutors of all sorts, and private SAT tutors with a singular mission – to help our students achieve their full potential, both as students and as future young adults.

The Launch Education team consists of its two founders, Tim Urban and Andrew Finn, its two directors, Ashley Feinstein M.A. and Sallie Oto, and a number of closely affiliated professionals, including renowned educational therapist, Carolyn McWilliams M.A. We love what we do, and this blog is an opportunity for us to share our thoughts and insights, both with our clients and those not working with us.

We hope you’ll enjoy our blog, learn something from it, and pass it on. If you’d like to know more about our company or have questions about tutoring, contact us anytime or visit our website. We also encourage you to share your thoughts by commenting on our posts.

Thanks for visiting!

The Launch Education Team