Frequently asked questions (or stuff you need to know)

What does a student need to get tutored Online by MathsEdu.uk?

MathsEdu UK takes a very professional approach to Mathematics Education in the UK.

The information below is important, so read it carefully.

Broadband connection. That’s obvious. I would not recommend using your mobile data, using your mobile as a hot-spot. There will be too much of lag and the lesson will be sluggish. Ensure you are as close to the router as possible. You really need a good broadband connection.
Devices:
- A laptop or desktop running Windows or Apple Mac
- An input device you will use to write on a whiteboard that I will be sharing with you:
  - iPad or Android tablet. I recommend not using your fingers to write - use a stylus instead. Search for “android stylus pen” on amazon. Prices vary from £9 to £20.
  - Digital pen tablet - these can connect to your existing computer on a USB port and provide a writing surface and a special pen that comes with it. Search for “digital drawing tablet with pen” on amazon. Prices vary from £35 to £90. Something around £40 will serve you well. This is the best solution and the one that is error-free.
- A mobile phone so I can call you (audio channel).
Software:
- Chrome (or Microsoft Edge) Browser (for the Whiteboard video channel)
Your own copy of the Mathematics textbook
- Buy the textbook appropriate for your level (Foundation/Higher) and for your Board. I will be setting homework mainly based on problems from this.
  Ask your class teacher if you have any doubts. Or email me.

Why must I have my own copy of a Mathematics text book?

Simple - I want you to get smarter than you are right now. Think of your Mathematics textbook as a tool that can help you get smarter fast.

If you are serious about Mathematics (which I assume is a fact since you are reading this), you will want to do as much practice in Mathematics as possible as often as possible. Owning your own textbook makes this happen. Learning is a 24 x 7 x 365 activity and not limited to just tutoring time. A tutor gives you the unfair advantage of assisting you when you are stuck.

All textbooks (AQA, Edexcel, Cambridge, OCR etc) have problems that are graded from easy to difficult. Challenge yourself - to achieve capability in Mathematics is a fantastic feeling.

The more you challenge yourself, the more will you understand. We will discuss strategies to solve tough problems during lessons - so you always have my help - and know you are not struggling alone.

All the homework I set for you will be based on your textbook, so it makes sense to own one.

Buy your textbook to get an unfair advantage over your classmates who may not own one.

Buying a textbook as not an expense - think of it as an investment in your Mathematical journey.

I’m quite OK using a mouse or my finger to write. I do that all the time. Do I still need to buy a stylus/pen tablet?

These devices are tools that increase your productivity. Lets say that I insist upon it because it gives you best value for my tutoring time. I tutor you in Mathematics. Mathematics requires precision writing. You may draw straight lines freehand, and it may look OK, but a ruler makes it precise, right?

If you want to go hard on yourself, reduce your productivity, increase the time you need to communicate and interact with me during a lesson and keep paying me to watch you as you struggle, don’t buy one. I do not tutor pupils who do not have a writing device.

Not buying a productivity-enhancing device is false economy. By my rough calculation, I reckon that, on an average, you will easily lose about 5-10 minutes per lesson each lesson, when using a mouse or your finger to write. That’s 5-10 minutes wasted every lesson. Its your call. Be sensible. Buy the appropriate device. The time you save each lesson is money you save directly.

Mathematics is hard enough to start with. Don’t make it harder. Using a mouse / your finger will make you frustrated. Trust me. And my teaching style requires a lot of writing on your part. Mathematics is not a spectator sport. I want to see you solve problems on the interactive Whiteboard in every lesson. Your homework will also be done on a Whiteboard that we will review together.

I give you advice that is best for you and in your best interest. Buy a stylus or a pen tablet. An iPad also works, but is very buggy sometimes.

Convince yourself - try writing the equation below using a mouse or your finger:

I’m using (other?) Operating system on a (?) computer/device. Is this compatible for getting tutored online?

If you can write directly using the computer/device (or add an input device for writing) and have a modern browser, there should potentially be no issues.

I recommend you test your setup. Multiple combinations are possible and each configuration needs to be tested.

In general, the following configurations should work:

First choice: Desktop or laptop with a USB digital pen tablet & stylus
Second choice: 2-in-1 Laptops with a touch screen you can write on. Add a stylus if it didn’t come with one
Last choice: iPad or Android tablet. Add a stylus and you are most probably good to go. This requires testing at your end.

Are other timings available for online tutoring? Like during weekends? Or late evenings?

Sure - just use the form on the Home page and I’ll get back to you.

Do you offer free trial lessons?

Simple and short answer - No. My time is valuable to me. Like yours is valuable to you. I teach about 150 - 180 pupils per year at Finchley Catholic High School, ranging from Year 7 to Year 13. I know what I do.

Book a paid lesson. If you are not happy with my teaching style within the first 20 minutes into the very first lesson, tell me. We’ll stop the lesson straight away and I’ll refund your money in full as per my Payments and Cancellation Policy. You won’t need more than 20 minutes to find out whether I provide value to you or not.

A refund as above is available only for the very first lesson. For all other lessons booked and paid for, the Cancellation Policy applies.

Please note that it is your responsibility to tell me that you are not happy to proceed within the first 20 minutes of the start of the first lesson. If you don’t, I’ll assume you are happy and want to continue on with the lesson.

It is your responsibility to make sure that

you have read the details of the services I provide before booking a paid lesson
you have the necessary device(s) at your end at the start of your first lesson

I’m always available to discuss any concerns or doubts you may have - call me on 07946413945.