Math Strategies for Distance Learning
Most students have learned math their entire lives through in-person instruction. In this setting, students have the benefit of listening to their teacher introduce new topics, watching as she/he demonstrates step-by-step solutions, asking questions if her/his explanation isn’t clear enough.
With the transition to distance learning, the collaborative teaching process has changed. You might participate in virtual classes via webcam, review pre-recorded lessons sent asynchronously, or even teach yourself new topics via scanned book chapters or PDFs.
So the question is How can you ensure you’re getting the most out of your math classes?
Strategies for Success
Keep Asking Questions. No matter how your class material is delivered, it is more important than ever to ask questions if you have them. If you have virtual interactions with your teacher or classmates, be vocal. If you don’t, or don’t feel comfortable asking in front of the class, send your teacher an email. They’ll be glad to support you further, or else point you toward helpful resources.
Seek Out Alternative Explanations. The same explanation doesn’t always make sense to everyone – and that’s okay! There are many different ways to unpack common math topics, and every math teacher, math textbook, or math tutor might do it a little differently. If a certain topic isn’t “clicking” the way your teacher or textbook explains it, look for outside help. Khan Academy is an excellent resource for video explanations, and many websites (like Paul's Online Math Notes and Math is Fun) provide written explanations as well as easy-to-follow examples.
Follow the Steps. The toughest phase in learning new math material is going from seeing examples to actually solving problems on your own. If you’re struggling to start problems or achieve correct answers, go back to your textbook, notes, or online tutorial where the steps to solving the problem were outlined and review each step (e.g., not distributing a negative, skipping a process, mis-applying a rule). If you still have trouble identifying where you’re going wrong, reach out for help!
Practice, Practice, Practice. The best way to master any subject, whether Pre-algebra or Precalculus, is to keep practicing! Even if you feel you understand the explanation given to you and have successfully completed a few problems on your own, repeating that process several times will help you remember when it comes to test time. Be sure to complete all problem sets given to you by your teacher, even if they are not graded. If you are looking for further practice problems, Math Worksheets 4 Kids and Math Drills are useful sources for hundreds of free printable worksheets (with solutions).
It’s important to remember that the transition to distance learning has been challenging for everyone! In many cases, students and teachers alike are navigating the same uncharted territory. Realizing these obstacles, schools are pursuing more lenient deadlines and grading standards. So try not to worry too much about grades – focus instead on understanding and demonstrating concrete skills.
Math is cumulative: to succeed in future math coursework, it’s key that you maintain and expand your math knowledge. Taking a five-month break won’t do you any favors! Keep up with the assignments and schedules outlined by your teachers, and seek help when you need it.
If the transition to distance learning has proven difficult for math in particular, get in touch. Our math tutors are experienced in a variety of online platforms and skilled at helping struggling students unlock valuable skills.
