GETTING STARTED

There are five simple requisites to success with the following caveat: I do not "farm out" my work to others,
thus I have placed a limit on the number of students I can accept. I will always endeavor to assist you whenever I can
and still maintain a life away from the Internet. My fees reflect the levels of topic difficulty, the technical upgrading and investment,
and my required flexibility to assist you when you need me.

You may click on the link for an example "Problem Solving Webcam Video" or I can make one available to you,
as an e-mail attachment, at your request.

Why I Do NOT Use Voice IM With Mouse Drawings:

Many computer tutoring services use interactive tutoring with the aid of a mouse to write out equations and word problems
on a split white-board screen (which I have used). Although this works well for discrete problems that are at the level of Algebra 1
and basic Geometry, even at this level nearly 30% of the interaction time is waiting for the problem to be done by the student or corrected.
Furthermore, I noticed that 20% of the problems are mis-written or interpreted incorrectly - leading to incorrect answers by the tutor.
Unfortunately, the student pays for these errors and lost time. For word problems and more advanced forms of math and sciences,
the chances for error or mis-interpretation are enormous. If you want to work this way (with a common voice and IM carrier) -
WE CAN, but I guarantee it will be more expensive and frustrating for you, in the long run.

The Process:

Unlike other agencies and corporations, my services are very personal and very unique. I do NOT expect you to fit into
some pre-designed education plan, you will NOT have to go through a series of personnel to get your answers, you will NOT get
different tutors at different days or times, you will NOT have to subscribe to a monthly fee, you will NOT have to be limited to
odd numbered problems, you will NOT be limited to non-applied math, you will NOT be excluded from word problems, you will NOT be
committed to any contract (unless you want one), you will NOT be limited to a certain number of hours or days, you will NOT have
to take out a loan to commence tutoring, and you will NOT have to inconvenience yourself by fitting into a time slot that just doesn't work.

You WILL get the same tutor who knows your educational history, your areas of weakness and strengths, your frustrations,
and WILL be able to adjust to your needs, already knowing what does and does not work for you.
With DoctaJ's, you have real freedom, choices, and options.

The Technology:

A computer is (of course) necessary, along with either a scanner, a digital camera or webcam (even a cell-phone camera
may work), or a word processing program that can easily handle technical fonts. You may also use a mouse with a drawing program,
if you wish and attach that to your e-mail question. A fax will also work but you need to let me know the approximate time you will be faxing
your problem set so I can keep the fax line open for you. If you want to utilize a video feed of your problems being solved, you'll need
an Internet connection that is DSL or faster, as well as an e-mail address that can handle the size of a 3-5 minute low resolution color
video file (most ISP accounts will have no problem - about 30-50 meg). If you want video and audio IM,
it is available but please read my concerns above.

The Problems:

You don't have to be taking a class to get tutoring but it helps. Some students utilize my assistance in-between semesters
and during the summer, especially if they failed a class or barely passed a pre-requisite for a class they will have to take.
I've also had students "jump start" a class when they are taking a unit overload and want to get a head start
(by the way, it's a great idea during semester "breaks").
In any case, tutoring goes smoother if you have a book or set of problems that you need help with. If you want, I can send you
assessment problems to determine where you're weak.

The Attitude:

Be ready and willing to be guided and have the courage to say, "I don't get it" if something doesn't make sense,
as well as have the wisdom to get in touch with me BEFORE you're horribly desperate or completely lost.
If you're feeling hopeless - you're in luck; I never met a student who wanted to learn, that I couldn't help.
If you're getting an F or low D, you are in deep trouble - contact me IMMEDIATELY!
If you're getting a C or high D, and your grade has been dropping - contact me IMMEDIATELY!
If you have a physical disability, I need you to tell me what it is so I can adjust my style to your access. I know braille but it
doesn't do much in this arena.

Payment:

If you're getting economic help from your parents, it might be a good idea to discuss tutoring with them and have them
contact me directly. All payment is billed or credited in advance and can be made via Credit Card, Check, or Money Order.
Personal checks require time for clearance before tutoring is available. Students may also wire funds directly into an escrow account.
Cash payments are not preferred but, due to the nature of student's lives, are accepted if sent certified mail.
They will be opened with a video confirmation of the amount enclosed.

Time Zones:

I must know your Time Zone so I can put all correspondence relative to YOUR Zone. I will calculate the corresponding times
to my Zone; I do NOT want you making that calculation or it can lead to confusion.

A note for the visually and hearing impaired:

For visually impaired students, I can also make a short audio file of the problem being solved,
to accompany a solutions sheet that is e-mailed to you. Please specify if you would like it sent as a wav file
or as an MP3. MP3 files are much smaller and easier to send but you
must have a device that can play an MP3 file.

For hearing impaired students, I can assist with the use of Sign Language Fingerspelling and Basic Sign Language
which can be a part of any short video files sent to you.

International Students:

Since the Internet allows us a fantastic opportunity to work together world wide - I welcome students that need tutoring
assistance from any and all nations. However, since I am not multi-lingual, most interactions will have to be in English.
I have studied several "foreign" languages and would be willing to assist using a bit of that, but it can't be depended upon because
I am not fluent (due to disuse). Since you also may be residing in a very polar opposite Time Zone to California (USA),
the time that you may need me may be the time of my normal sleep. This is rarely a problem that cannot be surmounted or negotiated
but I have to know well in advance.
Also, I do not fax materials TO students outside California, unless they have a toll free number attached to their fax.

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