Debate over what this forum is for

Tutoring | Bookmark Us | FREE to Join! New User? Sign Up | Sign In | Help

Students Ask Questions--Tutors Answer
TutorAnswer.com

ask.

answer.

discover.

My Profile

Home > Math & Algebra > Open Questions

math_fanatic

Open Questions

Debate over what this forum is for

I saw a thread where a couple of people were talking about what this board is for.
Some of the tutors ask questions because they honestly don't know how to solve
certain problems and some of the students answer other students' questions who
are at a lower level of mathematics. And apparently, some of the tutors are asking
questions to challenge students to answer them. This is a good idea but the kids
are generally here to have their own questions answered not answer other questions.
If you post a brain teaser and you don't want a "tutor" to answer it, you should say so
but tutors are probably the most likely to be able to answer because they find it
challenging and have developed the critical thinking skills required to do so.

But math is a huge subject. I am a tutor and there are questions here I haven't
been able to answer. I still consider myself a student of mathematics and will
continue to be until the day I die. Matherapist, I did just post an answer to your
Super Bee question but i

Posted 212 day ago

Report Abuse

Find Interesting

Email to Friends

Bookmark

Subscribe to Answer Alert

Answers (3)

jdrew39

It is my experience in the teaching field that tutors and teachers are supposed to help students come to the right conclusion, whether it is in math, science, literature,etc. I believe sometimes you can give a direct answer. However, I think that the best way to help a student to learn and remember is to give understanding to the student. The best way to do this, in my opinion, is to first of all state the question, second, give information leading to the correct answer by illustrations and leading questions. This is helping the student to come to the correct answer which is the best way for a student to learn and also to remember. A simple example for a beginning math student is......."Travis, what is your favorite kind of candy?" (Chocolate Kisses). "Oh I like those, too. Let us imagine that you have four chocolate kisses, and you want to share some of them with me. How many would you give me?" (Two) "Very nice, Travis! And how many would you have left?" (Two)." WOW, Travis what a nice job you have done! Two is correct. And that is 1/2 of all of your kisses." This may seem somewhat over simplified, but it can be applied to many subjects. First of all you find out what the student already knows. Then you find out what you are changing about what he knows, and that leads to the conclusion. I would like to add, though, that the best way to help a student is to respect him as an indvidual, always accord him dignity, and let him know that you really do love him and want to help him.

Posted 198 day ago

( 0 )

Report Abuse

YummyCookies

ur saying that we should ask the student what they have tried first and if they dont understand it then we help them?

Posted 211 day ago

( 0 )

Report Abuse

Doctor Bob

I have taught since 1963. I know the difference between a student who is asking for help and a student who is asking someone else to do his/her work for them and then turning in someone else's work for a grade.
There is a huge difference between HELPING (which is what tutoring is all about) and CHEATING ENDORSEMENT which is not the goal of any tutor web site.
A student who merely dumps problem after problem on the site without showing any work or effort on his/her own part is not someone I wish to help. For tutoring to have any INTEGRITY, students must meet tutors halfway.
Cheating is a major issue across the country. I don't think this web site ought to give the appearance that it endorses such.
Thanks for listening.
Dr. Bob

Posted 212 day ago

( 0 )

Report Abuse

Other Open Questions in Math & Algebra

» ABSOLUTE VALUE INEQUALITIES

» How does the square of numbers relate to the product of numbers?

» What number contains an integral factor whose sum of two numbers are identical?

» Using the Commutative rule of algebra, write a formula that generalizes the product of numbers

» How to generalize from the product of numbers?

Edit your answer. Click save, when done.
Question Title	Debate over what this forum is for
Your Answer	Character Count ( Max. - 5000 ) : 1028