DUO Education:  The Path to a Brighter Future
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What is Online Tutoring, Who Can it Help, How Can You Use it, and Why Choose DUO Education?

9/24/2014

2 Comments

 
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     Hello everyone.  I often promote my online tutoring page.  Yet, it has occurred to me that some of you may not know much about online tutoring.  I know that there wasn't such a thing when I was going through school.
     Online tutoring or distance learning is becoming more and more prevalent.  People are finding that learning from the comfort of their own home at a time that works for them is much easier than going to a school, library, or tutoring center to learn.  It cuts down the need to get childcare or to use the car and waste gas unnecessarily.
     There are quite a few online learning establishments.  If you want to learn online, there are a variety of places to check out.  Some of them are big, established places with many tutors.  Why consider DUO Education instead of those places?  Most of the bigger places give tutors a percentage of the tutoring fee. So, in order to make the program worth it to both the company and the tutors, the fee has to be more expensive.  I am a one woman show.  I only have to make it worth it for myself.  So, my prices are apt to be less expensive.
     How does online tutoring actually work?  What is involved?  For me, it would be a case by case basis.  It depends on what is needed and what technology the learner may have to use.  It could be any where from emailing or chatting back and forth to Skyping or using Google Hangouts to have more of a face to face feel.  There is technology where a learner and tutor can share use of an online white board or chalkboard, so that you can work on problems together.  Sometimes tutoring involves gathering resources and learning activities for learners to practice in between sessions.  With DUO Education, it may also creating custom activities individualized for optimum results for each learner.
     That leads me to my next point to consider, while considering online tutoring… or any tutoring for that matter.  What is the educational philosophy of the tutor?  Does he or she have a variety of strategies in teaching?  Is he or she willing to cater to your learning style and abilities?  Is the tutor encouraging and understanding?
     There is another plus to online tutoring.  It is safe.  You or your child is not side by side of someone you don't know.  Yes, there is a "side by side" feel on the computer.  But…there isn't any rubbing shoulders in a home, center, library, or school.
     What are some ways you can use DUO Education's online tutoring?
*Your child is struggling for understanding and the grades you want in specific academic skills
*Your child has difficulty being motivated to WANT to learn
*Your child has special needs and falls behind with what he or she receives during the school day
*Your child sometimes has homework questions and you have a difficult time getting answers for him or her and you would like to sign up for a "homework help program"
*Your child has difficulty with study skills in general and staying organized with school work
*Your child enjoys writing and you want to help him or her hone the skill to the point where he or she can some day get a book published
     I know what you are wondering.  You are wondering with all this mention of children, if I only work with children. No, I work with people of all ages.  I am happy to work with people of all ages and abilities.
     If there is a specific subject or skill that you are wanting to learn, please let me know.  We can talk about it.  If I can't help, I will try to point you in a direction that will be helpful.
     Are you ready to check out DUO Education's Online Tutoring Services? Do you know anyone who may benefit from online tutoring services?  You can check out the services here.  And, if you have any questions or are ready to start your online tutoring journey, please feel free to contact me.  It is free to contact me.  It is free to discuss your needs.  Try it, today!


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5 Helpful Strategies to Make Transitions Between Activities Smoother

2/26/2014

1 Comment

 
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     Hello everyone!  Today, I want to offer teaching tips on making smoother transitions.  I know that transitions can be the most difficult time of the day for teachers and students.  Along with recess time, it is one of the times when students seem to get bullied.  It can also be loud and unruly.  But… there is good news.  It doesn't have to be that way!  There are tips for making smoother transitions between activities.  
     I have provided a poster of "5 Helpful Strategies to Make Transitions Between Activities Smoother."  Most of them will work better for the elementary grades.  However, a couple of the tips will work for classrooms of any age group.

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     I just want to let everyone know that DUO Education has met an exciting milestone!  It got more than 1,000 page views in one day!  And, to make the news even more exciting, it happened twice in the last week!  I want to thank everyone who made it possible!  Thank you!

1 Comment

An Old Time Reading Activity

10/30/2013

2 Comments

 
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     Hi everyone!  Today I decided to recreate an activity page that I did for my brother years ago, when I was first teaching him how to read and spell.  I was only like seven or eight at the time.
     This is a simple match the word to the picture activity.  It can be used as part of a spelling or reading lesson.  Here I drew simple pictures.  And, I mixed up the labels for the pictures on the right hand side.
     Why did I choose to show you this activity?  I did it for a few different reasons.  
     First of all, I did it to give you some insight as to the type of activities I used to teach my brother reading and spelling when I was a young child.  Apparently a teacher gave me similar activity at one time.  I enjoyed it, so I thought my brother would enjoy it as well.  What a wonderful way to tell that it is an effective tool... have a child spontaneously give the same activity to her brother in "playing school."
     Secondly, this activity is fairly easy to do.  And, you don't have to be an artist in order to do it.  When I was little, sometimes I would give blank squares and have my brother even draw the pictures.  And, today, there is clipart that can be easily used at home.  I did this in Photoshop, but back then I did it with pencil and paper.  Sometimes, I would turn it into a coloring activity as well and have my brother color the pictures after he was done the matching.
     Finally, this activity in an example of something that can be done together with your child.  I had a homeschooling mom tell me once that she wanted to wait until she could buy a curriculum until she taught her children.  But... there are things you can do without a curriculum.  Learning doesn't always need a curriculum.  Learning can be a spontaneous, spur of the moment sort of thing.
     The point is... the most effective teaching is when you make the subject fun.  It isn't the curriculum you choose.  It isn't something that has to be complicated.  Sometimes the motivation to learn is to spend some quality time with a loved one.  You don't have to be perfect at teaching, just willing to try.

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     Please remember that you still have a chance to get a copy of Clarinda Cloud donated to your favorite elementary school, library, daycare, or children's counselor.  I have already given the hint that this photo was taken in Franklin County, Vermont.  Yes, "Clarinda Cloud" is on a tractor.  The tractor is at a place that sells many pumpkins.  Any idea where it might be?  That is okay... even if you don't, please comment with the name of the elementary school, library, daycare, or children's counselor you would like to receive the book.  (Please, U.S. addresses only at this time.)  I will donate one, even if nobody knows the answer.  Good luck!  Thank you!

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A "Be Great" Teacher and an Inspiring Story

8/21/2013

4 Comments

 
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     I first revealed this poster not too long ago.  Education is a passion of mine and I like to promote great teaching and the awe of learning whenever I can.  
     In the midst of all the controversy in education lately, it is inspiring to see that there are still great teachers out there.  I came across a video of a great teacher!  This teacher inspires his students to learn... and inspires me.  I think it is thought-provoking and a testament to some good in the world.  
     I would like to share it with you here.  What makes this teacher a great teacher?  How can you tell?  What can you do to improve your teaching or the teaching of others?  What can be learned from this video?

     I hope you took the 12 minutes to watch the video!  This is inspiring!  It is what great teachers are all about!
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The Difference Between Teaching People What to Think and Teaching People How to Think

4/3/2013

1 Comment

 
"And what is a good citizen?  Simply one who never says, does or thinks anything that is unusual.  Schools are maintained in order to bring this uniformity up to the highest possible point.  A school is a hopper into which children are heaved while they are still young and tender; therein they are pressed into certain standard shapes and covered from head to heels with official rubber-stamps."  ~H.L. Mencken
"Nature made us individuals, as she did the flowers and the pebbles; but we are afraid to be peculiar, and so our society resembles a bag of marbles, or a string of mold candles.  Why should we all dress after the same fashion?  The frost never paints my windows twice alike."  ~Lydia Maria Child
"I respect faith, but doubt is what gets you an education."  ~Wilson Mizner
"Those who stand for nothing fall for anything."  ~Alexander Hamilton
     Today, I have been thinking about the difference between teaching people what to think and teaching people how to think.  I hope that the quotes above help to get you in the mood for thinking about that also.  

     Consider this:  There are two students.  One does everything he is told.  He doesn't question authority in any way, gets wonderful grades, and is a pleasant student.  The other student gets okay grades but not so good and is always asking questions.  The teacher is constantly telling him to quiet down and focus.  Which is the better student?  Most people might think that the first student was the best student.  He had better grades and didn't challenge authority.  Yet, that is not the definition of student here.  Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/student?s=t defines "student" as 1. a person formally engaged in learning, especially one enrolledin a school or college; pupil: a student at Yale.  2.any person who studies, investigates, or examines thoughtfully:a student of human nature.  The answer might be that we can't tell based on the limited information.  Or, it could be... the second, because he is the one who asks questions and seems to have the desire to think for himself.  The second student "investigates" whereas the first does not.
     Do you remember getting the "because I said so" response when you asked "why?"  I think we all have got that response at one time or another.  It is quick and easy and meant to end conversation.  It also teaches us not to ask questions and not to think for ourselves.
     I can remember that and other "think this way instead of for yourself" answers.  How about, "Well, it is in the textbook, so it has to be right."  We weren't taught that textbooks were made by humans and humans can make mistakes.  I am not saying that all textbooks are wrong or should not be trusted.  I am just saying that if you believe something else, you may not be wrong.  Look into it further.  You could be right.  Explore and learn.  You don't have to put all your faith into the textbook.  It is good to think and learn for yourself.  You don't need to be a conformist.   
     Gwen Dewar wrote a thoughtful and thought-provoking article for Parenting Science on the subject of teaching children to think or dumbing them down.  Follow this link http://www.parentingscience.com/critical-thinking-in-children.html to read the article.  It was written a few years ago, but is not out dated.  Her thoughts still ring true today.  

     Let's consider this old Chinese proverb:  “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” ― Chinese Proverb   The same is true for thinking and learning.  See how it looks if you change the words a bit.  Give a man 'what to think' and you will teach him for a day.  Teach a man 'how to think' and you teach him for a lifetime.  What do you think?  
     So, now that we want to teach people how to think for themselves instead of what to think... how do we do it?  Well, there are books that answer this question.  I haven't read it and can't attest to the effectiveness but this one titled "Teach Your Kids to Think: Simple Tools You Can Use Every Day" http://www.thinkparenting.com/teach-your-kids-to-think.html by Maria Chesley Fisk might help.
     Here is an example of a teacher that seems to teach students how to think instead of what to think.  http://www.deccanherald.com/content/299567/teaching-kids-think-creatively.html  I hope you will check out the link and ponder the ways of this teacher.
     Questioning is a large part of the answer!  Consider how we are squelched from wanting to learn or for thinking from ourselves when we are told, "because I said so." We are first disappointed to hear the answer.  We want to learn.  That is why we asked the question.  So, if questioning was the answer back then that showed we wanted to learn... questioning can be the answer again.  Facilitate questioning... encourage it!  That is how students learn to think.
  What are your thoughts?  What are your questions?  I would like to know.  I would like to learn!  Thank you.
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    Jodi Desautels

         Jodi Desautels is a wife and mother.  She is a life-long learner, educator, author, illustrator, crafter, creator, and photographer.  She lives by two rules:  "The Golden Rule" and "Live. Laugh. Love."

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