Category: GCSE

Reference Resources:

1. Oxford Dictionary of English

One of the most useful applications to have in your pocket is the Oxford Dictionary of English. No classroom is without one and thanks to this app, no student’s pocket need be without one! Carrying the physical version around is just simply impractical.

Accomplishing Tasks:

2. Microsoft Office

Now part of Microsoft 365, a subscription-based service, software stalwarts like Word, Excel and Powerpoint are available in App format. This makes creating, editing and finishing documents on the go very easy. Collaboration functions mean that multiple people can contribute to the same document, perfect for group projects.

 

3. Evernote

All smartphones will come equipped with a note taking app but they are generally limited in their ability to sync with other devices and in the case of Evernote, the ability to scan handwritten notes straight into the app.

 

4. Mathway

Struggling with equations? Mathway is here to help! It will help solve any mathematical problem for you, but will also guide you through the solution to help you better understand it. Mathway is a math tutor in your pocket. A scanning ability lets you photograph your working and Mathway will recognise it.

 

Organisation:

5. Google Drive

If you’ve got a Gmail account or any other type of Google login then you’ll be able to utilise their Drive system. Upload documents, images, videos and more. The free version includes up to 15 gigabytes of storage space, which will be more than enough for most students. For those studying multimedia courses you can upgrade to 100GB for £1.59/month or 200GB for £2.49/month.

 

6. Class Timetable

Keep track of you classes or lectures in a simple, visual way with Class Timetable. This app shows your day at a glance and, tilt your phone sideways, shows your week in an instant. Tasks lists can keep track of assignments and paid features include notifications and export functionality.

Student Life (University):

7. Circle of Six

Circle of Six helps to keep you safe. Two taps within the app lets your chosen six people know where you are and how they can help. Stranded after a last bus, stuck in an awkward date or in any situation where you don’t feel comfortable, Circle of Six is there to help. More than 300,000 users in 36 countries use it and the United States Air Force advises all its cadets to download the app.

Optimising Apps with Private Tutors and Academic Mentors

At Think Tutors we are at the cutting edge of education and technology, utilising a wide variety and apps and resources to maximize our interactions with clients and students. We have found that scheduling and organisation are two key skills that our tutors have helped students to develop, which is essential for their success both now and at university. If you are interested in discussing how our tutors, mentors, and educational directors can assist your child with improving their skills in these areas be sure to get in touch.

Introduction to Learning Styles

There are three different categories that student learning styles fall into. These are Visual Learners, Auditory Learners and Kinaesthetic Learners. These learning styles were pioneered by educational theorist Nick Fleming, who formulated a VARK model of Student Learning.

 

Keep reading to learn more about the different learning styles you should know about.

Different Learning Styles

According to Nick Fleming’s VARK Model of Student Learning, the four types of learning styles are Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing Preference and Kinesthetic (these four combine to make VARK). This model acknowledges that all students have different ways of processing information (‘preferred learning modes’). These learning modes have a big influence on a student’s behaviour and learning and can benefit the student’s learning experience when matched up with strategies to help the student learn.

 

You may be wondering, what is my child’s learning style? You can find out more about the different learning styles, as well as the different methods of learning below.

Visual Learners

Visual learners are those who prefer to see things in order to process and learn them. They may remember and subsequently be able to recall information through sight. They may benefit from the use of visual methods such as images, maps or graphics to understand the information presented to them.

 

Learning methods:

 

• Highlighting information on a page
• Using graphics such as charts, graphs and diagrams

Auditory Learners

Auditory learners are those who prefer to hear and listen to things in order to process and learn them. They would benefit from listening and speaking to understand information which is being presented to them.

 

Learning methods:

 

• Repetition
• Mnemonic devices
• Recording and listening to your notes

Kinaesthetic Learning Style

Kinaesthetic learners are those who prefer to experience things in order to process and learn them. They are ‘tactile’ learners and may benefit from figuring things out by actively handling them. They work best through touch, motion and movement.

 

Learning methods:

 

• Using real life case studies to help understand concepts
• Using photographs that illustrate the concept

Different Methods of Learning: Conclusion

We all have different ways we learn and it’s important to cater to the different methods of learning and to understand which of the  four learning styles your child works best under. The different methods of learning are based on each individual’s cognitive and environmental strategy as well as experiences they have had. Understanding your learning style takes into account all these factors.

 

The VARK model for learning styles is the most accepted understanding for the different ways we learn as it acknowledges that we all have different approaches to processing information.

 

We adapt our teaching and work with our students in a way that they learn best, in order to help them achieve their full potential. Contact us to find out more about our bespoke tutoring.

 

We offer tutoring for a range of different subjects and can also provide  mentoring, online tutoring and residential placements. If you want to discuss the advantages of homeschooling please contact us.