El Paso tutor sees an increase in students needing extra help during pandemic
EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14) — A study shows that children are having a difficult time adjusting to online learning.
The study was conducted by the Northwest Evaluation Association, a nonprofit that administers “map growth” assessments to thousands of students.
Students in third, fourth, and fifth grade are scoring the lowest in Math, compared to 2019, according to NWEA.
A tutor with Mathmobile Tutorials LLC in El Paso said the proficiency rate was already low in local school children even before the pandemic hit.
Online learning has made things harder for the student.
"Even in the classroom, kids don’t ask questions because they don’t want to look silly in front of their friends. Teachers would take their facial feedback and know they need to elaborate more. That has been eliminated with online learning," Luke Smith, Academic Director, Mathmobile Tutorials LLC said.
Some El Paso school districts require students to have their device cameras on to ensure attendance.
Smith said Mathmobile Tutorials LLC has seen a spike in school kids and college students looking for extra help.
He adds that the main problem with teaching math virtually is the lack of communication and personal engagement that you would typically find in the classroom.
“In these Zoom meetings, it's really difficult for these students to get the teachers attention like they would in the classroom. The teacher doesn’t have the ability to see all the kid’s faces as easily. Right now, I can see your face, we’re one-on-one, your listening and engaging. When it’s all small screens, teachers can’t see every child’s face. To make sure they are all following along,” Smith said.
Smith advises parents to reach out if their children are struggling with remote learning.
