Does anyone know or use the Mathemagic Computer Tutor for helping kids with maths ?

I have had some of the selling technique and have backed off because I don't like my kids education being sold to me in that way, but on the other hand I don't want them to struggle because I don't want to sit though a sales pitch.

I think I really want to go down the private tutor route if the girls need it, just wondered if anyone else has any experience with it.

I've had exactly the same thoughts. We've had them calling at the house and by telephone. I have to say that after listening to the ads which basically say that as a parent I wouldn't know how to help them with fractions, I felt that it might be all a waste of money.

One of the girls went to Kumon in the UK and there was no hard sell and that works slightly differently in that the kids go to a classroom environment but work at their own level and then do more at home which is constantly checked by the teacher.

I want the info on this, but without the selling - I don't think it's possible and that puts me off. It seems to be more of a money making business (Kumon is obviously a business but seems to me to be more child based)

Agghhhhhhhh

My hubby spoke to them about it and he said it sounds like they put too much pressure on the kids. I'm in the same mind as you, if they need any extra help then I'll get a tutor in. But I would expect the school to provide extra work/help in the first instance.

The lady that he spoke to was amazed that we passed up a 'FREE' consultation.

I'm so fed up with their annoying radio ads, that I wouldn't have anything to do with them. Sorry in advance to my son if he fails maths

If there are three words I hate, it's Mathemagic Computer Tutor.

Mathemagic? How are they going to teach maths if they can't even use proper words? Get a human being if they need help.

That is one of the other things I don't like about them. Would love to know who uses it though. Everyone I have spoken to has heard of them but not used them

People in the lower socio economic suburbs who think it's a good idea because they were crap at maths at school and who have a high disposable income because they're unemployed.

Sorry if that's offensive to anyone who's bought one, but I've spent enough time in marketing to know exactly who they're marketing this thing to and it's not intelligent people like yourself, Moneypen.

I think I have just been complemented No. To be honest, I'm not even sure they need any help. One is doing the lazy teenage routine and the other is being kept an eye on by the school. Just looking into any alternatives if needed.

Pen
I have looked into extra help with Maths for my youngest and to be honest I do not think that these computer based programs are much good. I felt that I could go to Office Works and buy a disk for around $30.

I am now investigating home tutoring by REAL people that are qualified teachers but at $40 a throw it is quite pricey. Someone told me that you can get 4th year uni students who will tutor a lot cheaper.

Hadn't thought of uni students - that's an idea

I have a fourth year uni student for my son in year 12 - he passed his HSC maths at the school my son goes to, so he has been a great help in setting the exam scene etc for what it expected.

As debsy said you can decent maths help from disks and the internet but my little buggers didn't like the GCSE ones and SATS one I got. I did A level maths and quite capable of supporting my son and still do so but I find the input from a uni student works for my son as well.

I pay $30 an hour, fully qualified maths tutors in this area can be up to $100 an hour.

Cheers

I've never been convinced by these things for the teaching of maths. Successful maths can only really be taught by explanation, example and repetition - little of which you can get from a computer. Most of all, it doesn't give kids the chance to ask questions about how a process works, which can lead to bad habits if they get into the wrong way of doing things.

I would have said that one of the most important things kids need to learn is how to re-arrange simple formulae, and as a teacher, it never ceased to amaze me how kids had no comprehension of how to arrange distance and time to get speed for a journey etc.

Mind you I can't talk, I forgot to carry a 1 when I was working out my darts score at the weekend. Diddled myself out of 10 points!

S

Just did a google search - pretty much everyone slates not only the product but the advert too!

my next door neighbour has this for her girls - cost about $5000. and only works if you 'make' your children sit at the computer and complete each stage then you have to email off that part for marking before you can go on to the next part. You apparently start from whatever year you are on at school and go from there but you can't cheat if you get stuff wrong - it won't let you continue until you get it right but their is a telephone help line with a tutor at the other end! Frankly think you can get better disks from Dorling Kindersley online at amazon maybe, or just go to Officeworks.