Education in 2024 has changed so much since our team started teaching in Ontario. Budgets and governments are among many hurdles we have all jumped, often resulting in loss of school services and larger classes. As well, with the overwhelming upheaval students’ learning suffered during COVID, there will always be remnants of loss. After-school tutoring is needed more now than ever. The only good thing that has come of COVID is seeing the entire world pushed to its computers for learning and work. This has allowed remote/on-line learning to occupy a more established place in our lives if we so wish. That is what Stepien Learning allows: to provide excellent learning support without students having to leave their homes, even the little ones. If 3 yr olds can make videos on their mom’s phone, primary students can learn on line, one-to-one.

 

Communication (tutor to parent, parent to tutor, student to tutor , etc.) is critical for a student’s growth and progress. Computers make this component of learning so much easier and students can only benefit from it. Constant updating of situations can help avoid issues before they arise. 

 

Another way Stepien Learning ensures success is that we believe learning is a team effort. The team is made up of the student, the tutor  and the parent (for children). The parent knows the child best, provides an enormous source of information for the tutor and we at Stepien Learning fully respect and appreciate this. As team members we each have jobs: 

• tutor: to provide the best instruction possible and to connect with the student to ensure relationships are positive and up lifting.

• parent: to support/encourage their child, setting them up for success at home and to do their best to communicate with the tutor.

• student: to understand why/commit to the tutoring program, putting forth their best effort and to express their feelings/concerns about their work so the tutor can modify accordingly.

 

Learning on-line lends itself well to doing assignments and making review so easy - no mislaid paper activities to search for, no need to print assignments…..save paper!!!!. Every student of Stepien Learning has access to their own web-based whiteboard where all their written work, their review videos, their Quizlet drills (with voiced answers) and much more is stored for them. We use whiteboard resources during lessons. As well, students can go to their whiteboard on their own whenever they need to finish homework, check worksheets for test prep, watch videos to hear pronunciation, study drills for new vocabulary, etc. Tutors check assignments and aid students between sessions as well. Stepien Learning  students are encouraged to use their iPads where they always have quick access to all their learning and to save to the cloud so they can find their work on any device, even their phones,