Harvey Mudd College Homework Hotline   February 2012 Newsletter

How does tutoring over the phone work?  

 

Many students and educators ask us, "How does tutoring over the phone work?" Tutoring over

the phone is not a traditional method of tutoring, yet by discussing problem-solving methods and concepts, lessons are reinforced. Also, Homework Hotline tutors guide students by asking lots of questions and by using available resources so the student can arrive at his/her own solution. Tutor Graham summarizes this process, "The student and tutor work in a parallel fashion, with the tutor checking in with the student to follow his/her progress and to help guide him/her in the right direction."

 

Tutor Madison says, "Tutoring over the phone is equally as helpful as tutoring face-to-face. You might think it's a barrier when the tutor can't see your paper, but it's not a barrier at all! Tutoring over the phone means that we, the tutors, will be extra careful to speak clearly and outline all the steps to solving a problem, because we rely solely on our voice to explain math and science. And just like any other tutoring, students will understand the concepts better after talking about their homework with us."

 

If a student, family member or teacher would like to see our homework hotline in action, please stop by and visit us between 6:00 and 10:00 p.m., Sunday-Thursday.

 

For more information, please email a program administrator or give us a call at 909.607.4015. 
   

January 2012 Statistics (Jan. 17-31)      

376 successful calls

 

87.9% of calls were for mathematics tutoring, with Algebra 1 tutoring at 20.6% and sixth-grade mathematics tutoring at 17.6%.

 

9.8% of calls were for science tutoring, with Chemistry at 48.4% and Physics at 29.0%.

 

19% of callers were 6th graders, 12.8% were 12th graders and 12.1% were 8th graders.

 

46.6% of our student callers were working out of a textbook.

 

45.5% of our student callers had called the Homework Hotline before.

 

Monday and Tuesday evenings had the highest call volume.

 

The Top 3 schools were: Claremont High School, San Jose Elementary and Garey High School. 

 

Homework Hotline tutor

Student Caller Feedback

"It's very helpful. Thank you! Keep it up! I love to be able to get help from you guys. All the tutors are so nice."  

(Returning caller, from unknown school)
"It was enjoyable. I liked it."
(Returning caller, Lorbeer Middle School,
7th grader)

 "He did an awesome job working me through this math equation." 

(First time caller, El Roble Intermediate School, 8th grader)

Popular Tutoring Topics
 

1. Long division

 

2. Model Method for multiplying fractions

 

3. Factoring using a rectangle of area

    ax^2+bx+c

 

4. Solving systems of equations

 

 

   

HMC Homework HotlineRecommended Websites     

 

"Browsing around online, I found a site which seems to have interesting lessons for each of a sizable list of algebra topics."  (Graham '15)

 

"I have heard good things about the Khan Academy--online videos on concepts and worked examples."  (Priya '15)


   

Important Dates for Homework Hotline    

 

HWHL will be closed on Sunday, Feb. 12, and Monday, Feb. 13, in observance of Lincoln's Birthday. HWHL will re-open on Tuesday, Feb. 14, at 6:00 p.m.

 

HWHL will be closed on Sunday, Feb. 19, and Monday, Feb. 20, in observance of Washington's Birthday (President's Day). HWHL will re-open on Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 6:00 p.m. 

 

www.AskHMC.org                                      877.8ASK.HMC  |  877.827.5462

 

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This e-newsletter is produced by the Harvey Mudd College Homework Hotline.
Send comments to
gabriela_gamiz-gomez@hmc.edu.