Last Updated on July 26, 2023 by user
When it comes to improving math skills and achieving academic success, there are several options available for students and parents. Traditionally, hiring a private tutor has been a popular choice, but with the rise of online education, specialized math programs like Kumon, Mathnasium, Thinkster Math, and others have gained popularity.
In this article, we will compare hiring a private math tutor found on Care.com to the math program Thinkster Math, examining their target audiences, features, and costs to help parents determine what option would work best for their child.
Care.com is a marketplace that helps families connect with potential caregivers. Families can find child care, senior care, special needs care, pet care, housekeeping, and tutors.
For tutoring, parents can select either online or in-person tutoring. Tutoring is available for all grades – from elementary school to high school and beyond. This model allows for personalized attention and can adapt to the student’s unique learning styles and pace.
Thinkster Math is an online math tutoring program used globally in over 30 countries and by thousands of students from grades K-12.
The platform helps students who look to become more confident in math and have the desire to enhance their math skills through personalized, AI-driven learning. With its customized learning paths, the platform caters to the individual needs of each student, making it suitable for struggling learners and those seeking to excel in math.
Thinkster Math focuses on building a strong foundation in math concepts and gradually advancing to more complex topics.
Hiring a private tutor offers a wide range of benefits. The tutor can customize lessons according to the student’s strengths and weaknesses, provide one-on-one attention, and address specific areas that need improvement. Private tutors can also assist with homework, exam preparation, and overall academic guidance.
If exploring hiring a private tutor, be sure to check their familiarity with your child’s math curriculum. After all, you don’t want your child growing more confused if learning different strategies!
Thinkster utilizes a different approach by providing an online platform with a hyper-personalized math learning plan and worksheets. The program combines traditional math learning with modern technology, offering interactive exercises and video tutorials. Thinkster Math uses artificial intelligence to analyze a student’s progress and adapt the curriculum accordingly, creating a personalized learning experience.
Here are some additional specific features:
The cost of hiring a private tutor varies significantly depending on factors like location, the tutor’s qualifications, and the number of sessions required. Private tutors typically charge hourly rates, which can range from moderate to expensive, making it a considerable financial investment.
Thinkster Math offers various subscription plans, which can be billed monthly, quarterly, or annually. The cost may depend on the grade level and the level of support required (e.g., AI-driven learning plan via app only or including one-on-one private tutoring).
Plans start as low as $18/month for the AI-driven Guided Learning Plan.
Tutor-led coaching plans with live sessions start at $114/month. Pricing depends on the type of coaching support and student grade level. There are also different billing cycles, which offer fantastic savings! (Plus, there’s a 100% money-back performance guarantee!)
The coach-driven tutoring plans come with a 7-day free trial, which is an excellent opportunity to see how Thinkster can help deliver awesome learning results. Registration starts with the creation of a free parent membership.
1. Personalization: Private tutors on Care.com can tailor their teaching methods to match the student’s learning style, pace, and preferences, offering a highly personalized learning experience. In contrast, Thinkster Math’s AI-driven platform adapts the curriculum based on the student’s performance. During 1:1 private tutoring sessions, a dedicated tutor teacher math strategies and coaches students through problem-solving methods.
2. Flexibility: Private tutors offer flexibility in terms of scheduling sessions according to the student’s availability. On the other hand, Thinkster Math’s online platform allows students to access materials and complete assignments at their convenience, promoting self-paced learning. The 1:1 tutoring sessions are scheduled regularly. For example, students in the PlatinumA+ plan would have their 60-minute tutoring session on the same day and time four times a month. Parents can give 24-hour advanced notice to their tutor if they need to reschedule the session to another day or time.
3. Technology: Thinkster Math utilizes technology to engage students with interactive exercises and video tutorials, catering to tech-savvy learners. Private tutors, while using technology to some extent, mainly rely on face-to-face or online video interactions, which may not be as engaging for some students.
Hiring a private tutor from Care.com and enrolling in Thinkster Math have their advantages and cater to different learning preferences.
Ultimately, deciding between a private tutor and Thinkster Math depends on the student’s needs, learning style, and budget. Parents should carefully consider their child’s specific goals and needs and evaluate each model’s strengths to make an informed choice that fosters their child’s mathematical growth and success.
Note: Features and support are constantly changing. This analysis was accurate to the best of our knowledge as of July 2023.
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