The longer you read this blog the more you will know just how important I believe the use of technology is to the successful advancement of our education system. I was so excited the other day when I wrote about TutorVista that I did some more looking to see what others have to say about the fantastic tutoring program. Let’s see what others are saying:

• Reviews for tutorvista – They recommend TutorVista and though they point out the price as being high, they also note that the price is for an entire month of tutoring vs the average cost being around $25 an hour for a one on one private tutor.
• Reviews for tutorvista – This review done by teachers, for teachers recommend TutorVista as a powerful online tutoring took and a better and more cost effective solution (especially in small towns) then other learning centers.
• Reviews for tutorvista – Wikipedia shows that though the company initially struggled to gain acceptance given that it was founded by an unknown Indian company, they have now received backing from noted educational materials companies as American Book Company and Pearson.

For a company just out of the start-up phase TutorVista is rapidly gained acceptance in Education community. Their combination of technologies is what I think gives them the edge. Making use of internet phone for one on one conversations; online collaborative whiteboard software; and internet chat technology is a giant leap in the right direction for our education system. I believe that the more we embrace the possibilities presented to us by technology the more we can dramatically advance the education system in America. But that’s just my opinion – do some looking then let me know what you think.

I know this will shock you but I am a big geek! I LOVE technology especially internet technology. I think it is incredible when people find practical internet applications for things we do everyday. The exciting new company I have found today that you HAVE to try is TutorVista. Say you are a college student and you need Statistics Help or Calculus Help. Or maybe you are a high school student needing help with Algebra Help or Geometry Help. There are a ton of aids online where you can read and do problems in these subjects but TutorVista has used the brilliant idea of using internet interactivity to truly tutor a person where they are.

The concept is so simple and yet so brilliant. Say you need Math Homework Help. You interact live with a tutor via chat as well as an interactive whiteboard. Your tutor can see the work you are doing (as in the specific problem you are working on and how you are getting (or not getting) your answers). They can also write on the shared whiteboard and show you where you made your mistakes. All the things a tutor can do with you in person, right on your computer screen. The tutors have curriculum that meet the highest standard or they can help with the assignments you are needing help with. Not only is it convenient and easy to use but your TutorVista tutors are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. So when you need help you can get it. You can get access to all subjects any time day or night for only $99. Heck as parents we could easily spend more money then that in a month just driving our kids back and forth to the tutor.

So let’s review. A regular tutor you have to schedule time and you have to go to them. With TutorVista the tutor is available 24/7 right there in your home whenever you need it. They provide a free demo for first time users so you can try it out for free and see just how amazing it is. What could be better then that. I think once you try this service you will be glad you did.

As schools around the country get ready to start many parents are worried about the expense of back to school shopping.  I have one thing to say to you.  SALES.  As a teacher I became at expert at scouring school supply sales.  I think it is actually a requirement that you be addicted to school and office supplies to become a teacher.  I’ve found that the two best times to get crazy bargains are the month before schools open and the month after. 

Before school opens all of the stores have amazing bargains on a few things.  These are the things you want to purchase.  Go to the school your child will be in and get a list of everything he or she will need. Then watch the sales papers for all the stores in town and grab their loss leaders as you find items that are on your list.  I recently saw five packs of mechanical pencils for only .o5.  The same for sharpies and notebook paper. The stores do this so you’ll come in and then see the pretty, shiny, full priced items and drop a ton of cash on those.  Your goal is to get in and out of the store with only those super cheap items. 

Don’t worry if you don’t find everything you need on sale right away.  Usually students are fine for the first week or so with only paper and something to write with.  It is after the first few weeks of school that the truly amazing sales take place.  I’ve seen lunch boxes for 80% off and they will practically give away paper, notebooks, crayons, markers, pencils, and colored pencils.  If you can hold off till these sales you will spend only a fraction of what everyone else is spending on school supplies.  Even if you do give in and buy a lot of your items before the sales, consider stocking up once the sales hit.  This will save you last minute runs to the store later in the school year and you now eventually you will use the product!

Do you have any great tips for saving money on your back to school supplies?  Share so we can all save money together

Here is an excellent site for teachers, students, and parents.  It is a great way to get the news streamlined into something students can more easily understand. 

Student News is something I’ll be using not only for my students but for myself as well.  I hope you enjoy it as well  

I bet that got your attention.  You are probably either really for it or really against it.  Either way here is an interesting little story from across the pond for you.  This story talks about children who after a lesson on Islam were asked to pray to Allah.  Ummm what?  That would soooo never happen here.  Additionally, they were punished when the refused.  Can you believe that a school actually disciplined children for not wanting to recite something that was showing allegiance to a god they did not worship (never you mind that Allah and the Christian God are the same, from a historical and theological stand point anyway)?

I bet you’re wondering where I’m going…well I’m almost there   American schools do this ALL the time.  It is called the Pledge of Allegiance.  Does the phrase “one nation under God” sound familiar?  Hmmm??? Whose God do you think that little bit of wording is referring to?  The Christian God.  That isn’t mandatory, you say?  Oh really?? Every principal I’ve ever worked for told me to make the students say it through example or intimidation or whatnot.  Of course, I didn’t do it.  As a matter of fact I’d stand and be respectfully silent every morning as it was said.  The students finally got around to asking me why I didn’t say it and I said I had a variety of reasons.  The one I usually gave was that I once had a student from another country (in this case Canada) who at the end of one school year asked me what the pledge meant and why we said it every day.  I asked her why she’d done it all year long if she didn’t know and she said she’d been afraid not to because she thought it was mandatory.  She thought it was mandatory because in practice it is even if it isn’t in law.  Peer pressure at its best, people.  I explained what it was etc and told her she didn’t have to say it if she didn’t want to (boy would I get chewed out about that if it got back to our superintendent).  From that moment on I refused to be a part in the brainwashing/peer pressure culture of our school. 

All rambling aside, for those of you who were outraged that a child would be ‘forced’ to pray to Allah please take a moment to reflect on the Pledge of Allegiance.  How would you feel if it said “one nation under Allah” (Allah just means God, folks)  Would you be comfortable with your child being pressured to stand and say the pledge if it was rewritten to say Allah?  No?  Then why is it ok to pressure students to say the pledge now??