Math Tutor DVDs to the Rescue: A Review

 

"I'd love to homeschool, but I'm scared to teach my kids math," is a cry of despair I have heard through the years. Why is math so intimidating for homeschooling moms?  I really don't have the answer to that question, but I just might be able to help homeschooling moms whose nemesis is math. Yes, you can have your child dual-enroll at a nearby community college, but that probably won't work for the elementary years! 

There is a solution for those who would rather have someone else teach their children math, but don't want to take them to one more outside activity! If we need help, we really need daily help because math is a subject that our children should do everyday. I received two DVDs, The Algebra 2 Tutor and The Basic Math Word Problem Tutor, to review and was very impressed with the teacher and his style of teaching. Jason is a very calm and easy-to-understand teacher. We often only see his back because he is working problems out on the board.  In fact, that's what I loved about the DVD--it is full of practical help! All of the teaching is done through example problems. That's how I like to learn math! 

I watched segments of the videos with my own children and their friends. Afterward, we talked about what we had watched. Here are some of the comments.

"He made everything really simple. I could understand it." (age 11, pre-algebra student)

"I liked how many problems he did. That's where I get confused with my math book." (age 16, algebra II student)

"I've already learned what he was teaching on the video, but I wish I could have learned it from him first. It would have made my life easier." (This was said with dramatic flourish!) (age 16, pre-calculus student)

"It was a little boring....but math is just boring to me. I would want to watch him, though, to learn how to do math problems. He's easy to understand." (age 16, geometry student)

Jason Gibson is the math teacher on the two DVDs I received. His education includes a bachelors and master's degree in electrical engineering, along with a master's degree in physics. His work history is fascinating, including research and engineering in various areas, including space technology. Right now Jason works for NASA!  

He is the father of two young children, ages two and four, that he and his wife hope to homeschool when they are ready for formal schooling, though they agree that education begins at birth! They are integrating learning into their daily life already with violin lessons and having the children help out in the kitchen, measuring and "cooking."  As Jason said, "I believe in learning by immersion so that is what we are doing!"  He had an article on integrating math into everyday life in the 2008 winter issue of The Old Schoolhouse magazine. The article will give you a glimpse into Jason's philosophy of education, learning by immersion. This philosophy is evident in his DVDs because he immerses the child in math by doing problem after problem. Your child will feel that he truly has been taught how to apply the mathematical principles covered in each lesson. 

The two DVDs I received were The Basic Math Word Problem Tutor (eight hours of instruction) and The Algebra 2 Tutor (six hours of instruction).  There are no bells and whistles in Jason's teaching...just straightforward, easy-to-understand math instruction. Don't expect jokes, cute little cartoon characters, or funny skits. This is straightforward math!  The Algebra 2 Tutor 2 DVD set is sold on their website, Math Tutor DVD for $26.99 (list price = $34.99). The Basic Math Word Problem Tutor 2 DVD set is also sold for $26.99 on their website (list price = $34.99).

"When He (Jesus) saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." (Matthew 9:36 NIV)

It seems that Jason has had compassion on the moms who feel helpless and harassed when they think about teaching math! Maybe Jason will have compassion on moms who don't like to do science experiments or dissections. Could there be a DVD tutor for those subjects too?

The Great thing about Math Tutor DVDs is that you can learn, by watching Jason, how to teach math. And this extra help may be just what you need to boost your confidence in teaching math and other subjects.

Math Tutor DVDs website has sample video clips to watch on-line. If you would like to see Jason in action, please check these out.  I recommend watching them with your kids and see what everybody thinks. You can also find Math Tutor on facebook. Some of you may be wishing that you could hire a private math tutor for your children. This may be the help that you are looking for in your home school for the dreaded subject of math! Jason Gibson is a new face in the homeschooling community and I sure hope we see more of him!

Comments

[Karen J Levy]

I am 56 years old but I have been a customer buying Jason Gibson's Math Tutor DVDs for the last three years when I first learned that he existed by reading science magazines. He has his add for his Math Tutor DVD in science magazines. I don't need the math for anything but when I discovered his add I just wanted to pursue it. I like learning. I believe learning is a life-long process. If you don't continue to learn you stagnate.

Jason Gibson is wonderful! He seems to understand the problems and confusion of people who are struggling in math. I struggled in higher math when I was in High School is probably at least one good reason why I became a customer for his DVDs. Since I discovered just one of Jason Gibson's Math Tutor DVDs, I have had my nose in Cliffs Notes math books ever since. Cliffs Notes is also another excellent source for the study of math if you need a self-teaching guide and tutor. It takes you step by step. You don't really need any pre-existing knowledge in the subject to understand it.

Yes, I agree as it was stated above that Jason Gibson acts like it says in the bible that the shepherd looks after the sheep. I can tell that he has a heart is what it takes to teach as well as having the actual skills to go with it. It comes in the form of the constant repetition that he uses in his DVDs. So, he comes across as a man with a lot of patience as well as possessing a superior intellect in the subject. He used to work for NASA and has two Masters, one in Engineering and the other in Math. I'm looking forward to the day when he will decide to create his own math and science school.