Using Math at Home to Learn

Using Math at Home to LearnIn the wake of the popular appeal of online tutoring, there is an increased interest in integrating math into the curriculum in secondary schools. While some schools use tutoring programs as a means of supplementing math instruction, others use math tutoring to help students learn by doing and making connections between concepts in the classroom. Some parents would like to see more students take math at home, but they are wary of the practice because they worry that math instruction will be diminished if there is less of a need for personalized attention.The use of math tutoring has increased in recent years. This trend has begun even before the popularity of the online math tutoring industry. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average age at which first-time high schoolers take math has risen steadily, from 27 in 1992 to 35 in 1998. As well, when compared to two decades ago, the average college student takes fewer math courses.M ath, especially algebra, is the most difficult subject to teach students and the subject that carries the highest degree of emotional impact on students. Math classes, whether in the classroom or an online math tutoring program, can instill in students a feeling of pride and achievement that a lot of students could not achieve if it weren't for math.Many teachers, especially those who are still getting familiar with the principles of mathematics, have trouble introducing math concepts to their students. While some students may be predisposed to mathematics, others may need additional instruction. In addition, many students who do not appear to be inclined toward math may need a different kind of math instruction.For some students, math is not just a matter of memorizing facts; it's more about understanding the theories behind the information. When you give them work that they can put their hands on and experiment with, they are more likely to learn the material. When they don't have that ability, they are unlikely to learn.The Internet provides the perfect venue for learning, especially for students who would otherwise have difficulty learning math in a traditional setting. The challenge of finding an appropriate website for learning math online is one that has been made much easier by companies such as TutorPlus. In addition, tutors who offer math tutoring for a fee to make the job of finding an appropriate site much easier.Students who use math at home have a greater capacity to grasp concepts in a shorter period of time than students who take math in the classroom. It is these students who tend to benefit the most from math tutoring. Math should not be seen as something that is out of reach. Rather, it should be seen as a requirement for success.Although math is not the most popular subject in most classrooms, it is an essential aspect of education. With the continuing growth of the Internet, along with the growing numbers of people who use it, there is an increasing demand for programs that can effectively integrate math into a student's life. Using math online or in person can help students learn math in a very natural and interactive way.