by Wes Carroll | Aug 24, 2020 | bespoke, Blog, college admissions, continuing education, distance learning, education advocacy, general update, SAT prep, teaching style, test prep, the value of education, Why should I care?
Learning.
Education.
At first glance, the two might seem interchangeable. We certainly use them that way. After all, both relate to gaining knowledge and skills, don’t they?
What’s the first thing on your mind when you hear ‘Education’? You think classrooms, textbooks, strict curriculums. Learning, on the other hand, provokes a broader, more organic sense of discovery.
Learning vs. education isn’t a debate about which is superior but understanding their unique roles in our society instead. It’s about recognizing that while they overlap, they serve different core purposes and can impact our lives in varied ways.
Today Seth Godin posted:
Education is the hustle for a credential. It exchanges compliance for certification. An institution can educate you.
Learning can’t be done to you. It is a choice and it requires active participation, not simple adherence to metrics.
Learning is the only place to find resilience, possibility and contribution, because learning is a lifelong skill that isn’t domain dependent.
Most of the learning moments in our lives are accidental or random. A situation presents itself and if we’re lucky, we learn something from it.
But You Can Learn and Be Educated at The Same Time…
I agree that learning is where it’s at. While education undeniably provides a foundation, it’s the continuous journey of learning that you should aspire to. That is why we’re introducing a few new offerings in the coming weeks, designed, as always, to address diverse learning needs. If you’re on our mailing list, you’ll be among the first to get a glimpse of these offerings. If not, just let me know, and I’ll be happy to add you.
But while I push this, we must also recognize the benefits that formal education and credentials offer. Educational qualifications make the corporate world go round, and they serve as a benchmark of competence and expertise. Without them, you’ll find fewer doors to opportunities in your career of choice.
Thus, if you can get the educational credentials that lend you legitimacy in the adult world as part of the learning process, don’t miss out on it.
In Line With This…
We also continue to support students who are preparing for various academic challenges, whether standardized tests, math competitions, or regular class work. Our aim is to make sure that while students discover and nurture the joy of learning, they also equip themselves with the tools and credentials to succeed and be relevant in the traditional education system and their future careers.
It’s a balance, really, one we’ve perfected with thousands of students over several years of coaching. On the one hand, we want to foster a genuine love of learning, curiosity, and the ability to adapt in this ever-changing world. On the other, we understand the importance of formal education and the doors it can open.
In the end, we’re not about choosing between learning and education. We integrate both to create a comprehensive approach to personal and professional development.
So in the Case of Learning vs. Education, What’s the Verdict?
The ideal scenario is where learning and education converge.
Imagine a system where the pursuit of credentials merges with genuine, passion-driven learning. Where students are not just chasing grades but have an actual investment in understanding and applying their knowledge. That is the vision that we’re working towards, and we’ve seen great success so far.
If you decide to join us because you want the awesome STEM grades and test scores we can help you achieve, that’s great! But let me tell you, once you’re here, it’s the learning that’ll really blow your doors off!
While grades are a tangible measure, the real magic happens when passion meets knowledge.
So… let’s get to it.
by Wes Carroll | Mar 30, 2020 | Blog, covid-19, distance learning, parents, teaching style, tutoring
We are all being called on to do more than we are used to.
- Schools are suddenly closed, and they are scrambling to figure out distance learning.
- Parents are figuring out how to juggle their own work and their kids’ education (to say nothing of their own self-care).
- Some students are trying to keep up with the new work. Some are struggling to make meaning from the new assignments. Almost no one yet knows how much they are learning.
For tutors, the job has always been understanding the student, and clearing away barriers to learning. It’s just that now, the barriers come in many more varieties besides just misunderstanding the material. Now students have more challenges:
- Teachers struggling with new tools
- Students’ need to manage their time more than they feel ready for
- Students trouble owning their own learning in the face of reduced testing and other checkins
For all of us, the challenge is figuring things out fast, and changing things fast as we figure out what works.
That’s how tutors can step up, because: the fastest learning team is a motivated student and an expert.
by Wes Carroll | Mar 13, 2020 | Blog, covid-19, distance learning, quality, teaching style, tutoring
COVID-19 has undeniably reshaped the way we live, work, and interact. As countries grappled with rising case numbers and healthcare challenges, individuals and communities were thrust into a whirlwind of change. From remote work and online education to social distancing and mask mandates, the very fabric of our daily routines have changed.
It’s Had a Tremendous Impact on Education
For countless students worldwide, this pandemic has led to one significant consequence: schools are closing. The initial closures, which many hoped would be temporary, are now stretching into months. This unforeseen extension has thrust both educational institutions and their students into the deep end, forcing the shift to distance learning. The transition is happening in real-time, regardless of whether schools and students are prepared for it.
Distance Learning is More Than Just Video Calls
Effective online tutoring is not as straightforward as you might think. It’s not just about hopping onto a video chat or spending a few hours getting the hang of Google Classroom or Zoom. It’s about creating an environment where learning can thrive, even in the absence of physical presence.
We began virtual education well before the pandemic. For several years now, we’ve been teaching most of our students via face-to-face video sessions, improving our approach over time to provide an enriching and interactive learning experience. Our online classes connect students from all over the world, including those living in the same country as us.
Some of our students live very close to our office but still choose our online classes. They prefer the smooth and user-friendly experience we provide with our online tutoring platform, which often feels as good as, if not better than, regular classroom lessons. No kidding: the experience can be so seamless that even a five-minute walk seems wasteful.
This didn’t happen overnight. Our success results from relentless practice, year in and year out. We’ve honed our skills, adapted to various challenges, and refined our methods to provide top-notch education remotely.
How Do You Take the Most Advantage of Video Tutoring?
Online video classes are becoming more common. However, not all teachers are familiar with this method. For newcomers to online teaching, it can be challenging.
To help, here are some ideas for getting the most out of an educator unaccustomed to working over video, based on our real-world experience. We’ve tried different methods, talked with other educators, and learned from our mistakes to offer practical advice.
If you have questions, please schedule a chat. We’re here to help with no hidden fees. Just set up a chat, and we can discuss online education together.
