Tutors, Schools Drive HMC Hotline Success

Harvey Mudd College Homework Hotline tutors helped 2,478 students last fall, representing a 21 percent rise in the number of fourth- through 12th-graders successfully coached through the free, over-the-phone, math- and science-tutoring program.

Much of the program’s success can be traced to its tutors and local school district partners.

“Our tutors create a safe and welcoming learning environment where student callers feel comfortable tackling the challenge of solving difficult mathematics and science homework questions,” said Gabriela Gamiz-Gomez, HMC Homework Hotline director. “Our educators help us get our program information to students and families. They keep us in mind for upcoming events where program information can be provided.”

Launched in February 2010, the hotline was modeled after the successful Homework Hotline created at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. HMC partnered with RHIT to bring the program to the College’s local communities, sharing a common mission to enhance academic performance, reinforce classroom concepts and promote interest in mathematics and science. RHIT shared its system with HMC, provided technical advice for its implementation and continues to be a valued collaborator.

Hotline tutors are drawn from HMC’s high-achieving math and science undergraduates, who are trained in over-the-phone tutoring methods and have access to district-adopted mathematics textbooks and other resources. The current team of 36 tutors includes 11 seniors who have served as tutors since the hotline’s start: Eric Anderson, J Brill, Johnathan Chai, Moriah Gelder, Richard Hsieh, Matthew Kweon, Kevin Leyden, Laura Maguire, Carola Purser, Richard Sayanagi and Emma Van Burns.

“I thought the idea of tutoring over the phone would be a unique experience for both me and the student callers,” said tutor Johnathan Chai. “Although I have encountered several challenges—such as trying to visualize geometric diagrams without actually looking at them on paper—it has helped me strengthen and broaden my communication skills.”

This spring, all tutors received National Tutoring Association basic-level training, further boosting their skills. Their aim is to collaborate with callers on solving one homework question and then encouraging them to solve similar problems on their own, inviting them to call back if needed.

According to caller feedback, the hotline’s tutoring approach has proven fruitful.
“I like that the tutors can explain things to me without telling me the answer,” said a junior from Pomona Catholic High School.

A fifth-grader from Diamond Point Elementary said, “The tutor helped me understand how to find the main question instead of getting confused by all the extra details.”

Students in grades 4-12 can call the HMC Homework Hotline at 1.877.8ASK.HMC, Sunday through Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. HMC tutors will guide student callers to successfully solve their homework questions.

Visit the HMC Homework Hotline website