Internet Math Tutoring

	INTRODUCTION COST REQUIREMENTS HOW IT WORKS HOW IT DIFFERS DEMO VIDEO PAYMENT MORE INFORMATION EMAIL HOW TO CHOOSE A GOOD MATH TUTOR
	Introduction This is an online face-to-face math service which provides a student with personal math support, using a web site that provides 2-way video, 2-way voice, and a shared drawing pad, for an experience that closely resembles face-to-face math help.  This is not just a homework-problem-solving service, but rather a credentialed math teacher with a doctorate in education working with the student in a supportive manner, acting as a "math nanny." Through decades of experience in face-to-face tutoring, Dr. Sonya Sokolow has learned that certain principles of teaching are essential for successful math support: A continuing relationship between a student and the same math support person throughout the tutoring experience. The math nanny must do much more than help the student solve particular homework problems. The math support person figures out what is confusing the student. The math support person helps student use available learning tools. When necessary, the math support person communicates with the student's class teacher, school administrators, or parent(s). The math support person helps student learn how to solve problems, not just how to solve a particular homework assignment. Good online records must be kept by the math nanny so that there is continuity and follow through from one session to the next. Progress notes help the math support person, student, and parent. Notes are available online for review anytime by those individuals given access. Dr. Sokolow's approach is explained here.   Read her resume (curriculum vitae) here.
	Cost For local appointments at Dr. Sokolow's home office email sonyasokolow@gmail.com. For online appointments, to get started, create your free account at www.Vyew.com, then contact sonyasokolow@gmail.com by email and explain what help you need in math. Rate is $60/hour for math help by Dr. Sokolow, charged by 15-minute increments at $15/increment. If an associate math help person is available, rate reduces to $40/hour. Associates (who are not credentialed math teachers but can provide math) are monitored by Dr. Sokolow. You will need to provide Dr. Sokolow with a copy of the student's text book if Dr. Sokolow doesn't already have that book in her library.   This can be done either by sending an actual paper book, or by sending a pdf file (or eBook) of the actual text being used, or by paying to Dr. Sokolow the cost of purchasing the book.  Please provide Dr. Sokolow with the exact title, authors' names, edition number, publisher name, and ISBN number of the book, all of which should be on the book itself.
	Requirements Access to Dr. Sokolow's home office OR Access to high-speed Internet. Computer with browser running the free Adobe FlashPlayer (almost all computers work except very old ones, and 98% of computers already have it installed from the factory).  You can verify that Adobe FlashPlayer is installed by going to this link: About Adobe FlashPlayer.   It is recommended that you install the most recent version of Adobe FlashPlayer from Adobe's download site. A web cam, speakers, and microphone (or headphone-microphone) on student's computer.  (You can test that they work in your FlashPlayer by bringing up the FlashPlayer settings manager.   Click here for instructions on the settings manager.). A credit or debit card to make secure payments online through PayPal, or payment by money order or cashier's check through the mail. Create your free account at www.vyew.com (click here then "Sign-Up Free"), a free Internet interactive whiteboard with video, voice, and text chatting. Optional registration with Skype (instructions), a free online voice-over-Internet phone service for speaking with math nanny if necessary outside of a tutoring session. Optional free Google account (instructions) to access online progress notes and schedules. Optional digital input tablet with stylus, such as the Wacom Bamboo.
	How it works Make appointment with Dr. Sokolow for a home office visit OR Once you are registered and have an appointment with the the math help person, you will go online to www.vyew.com at the appointed time, login with your username and password, and click on your name in the list of "vyewbooks".   This will connect you with the screen through which you communicate with your math help person.  The screenshot below shows that page for a hypothetical student. Your math support person will join the same vyewbook and will display her video picture and start her microphone so she can greet you.  You will click on the buttons to start your video and microphone.   Then both of you can talk and see each other as well as seeing the whiteboard drawing frame. You and the math support person will be able to draw and type on the whiteboard, where both of you see the same images.   Pictures from textbooks or web pages can be embedded in the whiteboard pages, too.  Drawing is done with the mouse or optional tablet with stylus. Using your browser, you may also be instructed where to find an online textbook and other instructional materials, which may be used during your tutoring session without disconnecting from your vyewbook communication with your math support person. At the end of your session, you and your math support person will schedule your next session appointment.    Your account will be charged for your session time.   Accounting information and progress notes will be accessible online in a GoogleDocs spreadsheet. Screenshot (click picture to enlarge):         Demonstration video, click here
	How it differs from other online tutoring sites Some sites only provide interaction between student and a computer program, not a teacher. Some are 24/7 sites that connect student with any random tutor employed by the service somewhere in the world, with no continuity from day to day. Most don't provide video and voice -- they are not like being there with the tutor at your side. Many online tutors have little experience in teaching and are not credentialed teachers, nor do they have a PhD in education. Some only answer specific math questions rather than helping the student to help him- or herself. Most do not provide online progress notes and never attempt to consult with class teacher or supportive family.
	For a demonstration video, click here. Click here for more information about the founder. Contact us:  sonyasokolow@gmail.com To send a payment by mail, send a money order, cashier's check, or similar official check for at least $60 as deposit OR follow the instructions concerning Paypal in the next column. Dr. Sonya Sokolow 301 Highview Ct. Santa Cruz, CA 95060 Send a $60 payment through PayPal.  (A service charge of 3% will be included in your payment amount.) Student's name