Today The New York Times featured Thinkster Math (previously Tabtor Math) in their STEM column which covers developments in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The article titled A Math App that Offers an Unusual Human Touch, was written by their columnist, Kenneth Chang who is also a Thinkster member.
Kenneth doesn’t shy away from the truth about Thinkster:
“I have been a paying customer of Thinkster since October, for two of my children: Kelvin, a fifth grader, and Rosalind, a third grader. It is not a panacea. “I hate Thinkster,” Kelvin will say when frustrated by a problem”
We’ve all had that feeling of hating a task that has frustrated us, and that’s where using a coach becomes a great way of working through the frustrations. Read this blog from a Thinkster member whose son developed the love of math with Thinkster. We all learn best when challenged to the right level, where the task at hand is not so easy that it is boring and is also not so challenging that you never hope to solve it. Targeting the learning at that “just right” level, at the edge of our comfort zone, does lead to a certain level of discomfort, so it’s our role as coaches to help students rise to the challenge.
Kenneth does go on to say in his New York Times column:
“But I still have found it much better than other options, including websites that offer plenty of practice problems but no feedback or guidance.”
Thinkster coaches support students through the tricky, frustrating patches. In addition to the built-in video tutorials, coaches can provide corrections or worked solutions, introduce easier worksheets and encourage students through face to face Skype or FaceTime conferences. Since students come to Thinkster with different learning styles, different learning gaps and work at different paces, our coaches are constantly personalizing each student’s learning plan.
