Techniques Used By College Tutors To Help You Learn Math
Math is a subject you can learn to enjoy with the right learning techniques. Math tutors are experts in helping students overcome their math difficulties and develop their mathematical thinking skills. There are several ways math tutors can help you learn math effectively so you can succeed in college.
Using the Concrete Representational Abstract (CRA) Approach
The CRA approach teaches math, making the learning process clear and meaningful for students. It involves three steps: concrete, representational, and abstract. Concrete consists of the use of real objects to understand concepts. Representational is the use of images. Abstract refers to the use of numbers and symbols.
The CRA approach helps students make connections and supports students with different learning styles.
Using Visuals and Images
Visuals and images are powerful tools for teaching math because they can help students see patterns, relationships, and structures in math. Visuals and images can also help students remember math facts and procedures. Some examples of visuals and images that can be used in math teaching are:
- Graphs and charts to help students organize and interpret data, compare quantities and show trends
- Diagrams and models to illustrate problems involving geometry, fractions, ratios, proportions, and more
- Number lines and grids to allow students to understand number concepts such as place value, decimals, fractions, integers, and operations
- Manipulatives and tools to let students explore math concepts such as shapes, measurement, symmetry, and transformations
Visuals are also important because students have many different learning styles, and some are visual learners.
Asking Students to Explain Their Ideas
Asking students to explain their ideas is a great way to check their understanding, promote their reasoning skills and foster their communication skills. When students explain their ideas, they must clarify their thinking, justify their methods and evaluate their solutions. This can help them identify their strengths and weaknesses, correct their errors and feel more confident.
Some ways to ask students to explain their ideas include asking probing questions that challenge students to go deeper into their thinking and asking reflective questions to encourage students to connect their learning to other contexts. For example, the tutor might ask the student to consider how they might use these skills.
Incorporating Storytelling to Make Connections to Real-World Scenarios
Storytelling can help students develop their problem-solving, creativity, and critical-thinking skills. Some ways to incorporate storytelling in math teaching are:
- Using stories or scenarios related to the math topic
- Using characters in stories that students can relate to
- Using stories that spark students' curiosity, interest, or emotion
Tutors should use stories with a mystery, a challenge, or a twist.
Because of all the advanced methods that college math tutors use to teach students math, you are more likely to master this subject, and you may even develop a passion for math.
For more info, contact a company like The Integral Factor.