Parents often ask us how we are different from other online tutoring/learning systems.
Our answer to that question is simple.
Feature |
IMO |
Aleks |
Kumon |
Sylvan |
Focused Only
on Mathematics |
YES |
NO |
NO |
NO |
Online system,
Available 24/7. |
YES |
YES |
NO. Onsite tutoring. |
NO. Onsite tutoring.
|
| Is the learning system designed for Parents as well as children? |
Yes
Designed specifically to empower parents to help their children with math. |
No
Designed for math teachers to use in schools to supplement textbooks. |
NO. Onsite tutoring. |
NO. Onsite tutoring. |
| Do the assessment tests show parents how their child is progressing? |
Yes
Parents receive a report after each assessment. |
No
The reports are designed for professional educators to interpret. |
Yes |
No - Typical
reports are paper based |
| Can parents view problems that their child answers incorrectly? |
Yes
IMO allows parents see
every answer. |
No
The system does not provide access to individual problems. |
|
|
| Practice problems and assessments online? |
Yes
Entirely accessible on the web from any PC or Mac. |
Yes
Assessments |
No
Most of the math is done with paper and pencil. |
NA |
| Problems checked and graded automatically? |
Yes
IMO automatically grades every problem set. |
No |
No
Paper worksheets must be hand checked. |
No
Paper worksheets must be hand checked. |
| Are the reports to parents
easy to understand
and useful? |
Yes
Parents receive an easy to understand diagnostic report showing areas of strength and weakness. |
No
Confusing pie charts are shown, but no clear diagnostic reports. |
No
Parents do not receive results online. |
|
| Do children
enjoy working with the tutorial program? |
Yes
Children like working practice problems and assessments at their own pace on the computer. |
No
Many children find the system confusing and somewhat intimidating. |
No
Many children
find doing paper problems to be tedious and boring. |
NA |
| Can parents' track their child's progress online? |
Yes
Parents can see all assessments and practice problems results online at any time. |
No |
No
There are no online progress reports available. |
No |
| Is the cost reasonable? |
Yes - unlimited use!
See subscriptions.
First 7 days free! |
No
$200/year/child
or $19.95 /month/child. |
No
Tution per child can be as high as $1,320 per year in some areas. |
Typical cost
is $20 - $30 per hour. |
