Posted on: 04-12-06 11:36:45
Hi Everybody,
I'm trying to get feedback from parents who have sent their kids to Kumon or Learna. How is the quality of these two institutions compared to each other. Pros / Cons etc. would be much appreciated.
Thanks
DT
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Microsoft - Which end of the stick do you want today?
A question at the outset are you looking at for your children if so what grade level ?
OR
You are looking at it for buying a Franchise ?
My answer is based on the first question without the grade level known based on a small study I performed on these educational support(tuition) methods. I think Learna is a local method developed by a Sri Lankan Tamil Ph.D. While Kumon is more international. Both are of help to get better marks in school but does NOT help in intellectual growth.
As Canada also has become like India with marks being the sole criterion for University admission, as there is no standardised testing like SAT or SOP or any special benefits for students out of special/gifted/tech programs(it is a very open ended statement, but people who have actually being through this process will conclude my statement is right) both the systems will help. If I would suggest then Kumon has an edge over Learna as it slightly older. Both methods involves computerized revision/learning/testing of the chapters.
Nothing beats the old fashion method of borrowing the class text book from the library and the parents running through important stuff over the week end.
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Speech by Thomas Friedman of The New York Times....
"When we were young kids growing up in America, we were told to eat our
vegetables at dinner and not leave them. Mothers said, 'think of the
starving children in India and finish the dinner.' And now I tell my
children: 'Finish your maths homework. Think of the children in India
who would make you starve, if you don't.'"
Hi,
My children were going to Kumon in Bahrain ! It is effective but I think with little effort and very less money you can pursue the similar kind of study by signing in at http://www.edhelper.com." rel="nofollow">LINK It takes just $19 !
try it !
Arvind
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AK
Quote:
Nothing beats the old fashion method of borrowing the class text book from the library and the parents running through important stuff over the week end.
Yes,I agree too;and personlised attention( if parents are too too busy or totally unable to assist) of a tutor is essential for all-round development.
Learna and Kumon does help but they have become mass tutoring services.The way learna is opening,it looks as if it is just cashing Indian mentality of providing tuition.
I have a question:
It is said that IB and gifted channels are again based on marks obtained, then these channel are more risky if your child slips up, which is possible since studies are more tough and distractions for teenage kids are more.
Is it really worth pushing your child for these streams where they have to devote more time and really get nothing or less in the end?
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trying to find real persons
I know couple of kids who go to kumon. Based on my observations, the kids parents can be devided into 4 categories:
1. No interest in kids education-school is there which is free. So get the kids to the building. Get them out of home for few hours. When kids complain, get them to tutoring called kumon (mass tutoring is the right phrase).
2. Not educated-no idea abt maths, etc. So have to depend on mass tutoring.
3. Highly insecure and in the rat race - because other desi kids are going there, our kids must go there, whether they like it or not. Its a super ego stuff. What will other parents think if our kids dont go to kumon? (that's a discussion topic in the parties)
4. Parents are working, dont want to spend time with the kids during the weekends as there are parties to attend (gossip, laugh loudly, compare each other, etc.). Immature parents.
As pointed out, the old way of spending time, try to understand what the issue is, etc works well. I have gone thru some of the kumon stuff. A 6th grader was doing a 2nd grader math, as homework from kumon. I dont get it, but could care less.
Looking forwad to the rebuttal from the hardcore kumon supporters.
DIO
Not a hardcore supporter, but from a category of parents, which you have missed to mention apparently.
Working full time and helping your kids in acing (not just surviving the grade math) in mathematics, is challanging, cosidering commuting in GTA & other factors (No Parties!!). Kumon concept has been good for my children, given their basics and repetitive practice. This gives them sense of some committment to learning (after school), as the schools do not seem to give any extra work for home. Learna is totally computerized concept, I am yet to adapt ...Cheers.
Learna is a Canadian owned and operated company and has developed a tutoring program based on the curriculum followed by the school boards in Canada.
Kumon is a "speed math" or "brain math " concept and does not follow a set curriculum.
The decision depends on what the parents are focussing on, if it is Grade improvement and understanding of different concepts, Learna is the answer, if it is development of speed in calculation, then Kumon is the answer
