How to Choose the Best Online Maths Teacher for Students in Secondary School?

Secondary school (Years 7-10) is the time when students work on their understanding, reasoning, problem-solving and fluency in mathematics. The three major mathematical topics they work on are:

• Number and Algebra,
• Measurement and Geometry, and
• Statistics and Probability.

In schools, teachers have limited time to give each student the individual attention they need to understand the concepts being taught. Since they have to complete their curriculum in a limited time, there’s a limitation to how much time and energy they can devote to an individual child in their class.

This is where online maths tutoring comes in. Online teachers have the leisure to teach one student at a time or teach in small groups. They can devote as much time as necessary to help their students understand the concepts.

Also, read – How To Make Online Maths Classes Effective For Secondary School Students?

What does an effective online Maths teacher offer to students?

• Contextual Learning: Studies reveal that a curriculum embedded with elements from histories and cultures to which students belong seems more relevant to students and engages them better. For example, the Australian Maths curriculum enriched with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and value systems may better engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

It is a good idea to find an online Math tutor who not only understands how math works but can also use examples from day-to-day life situations and from different cultures to explain the concepts.

• The Right Platform: There are now many online tutoring platforms where you can find a Maths tutor. The popular ones are Zoom, Skype, Google Meet, etc. You need to check if your child is comfortable using any of these platforms. Some children feel more comfortable communicating face-to-face, while others are more comfortable using the written word.

Some platforms allow the use of interactive games and simulations to make the learning process more fun and effective while some use artificial intelligence for real-time performance analytics. You need to check which platform would be the best for your child.

• Flexibility: One big reason for hiring a Maths teacher online is to allow students to learn at their own pace. Some students may want to spend more time on a particular concept, while others may want to move on to something else. A good online Maths teacher will be able to offer a flexible approach to cater to the needs of each individual student.
• Interactive Learning Space: Online teaching should involve two-way communication between the teacher and the student to be effective. The teacher must pay attention to the needs of each individual student to provide targeted help.

Ideally, the batch size of an online class should not be more than 5 students to ensure that each student gets the individual attention they need. For larger groups, one-on-one doubt-solving sessions should be offered regularly.

Also, read – 5 Reasons Why Maths Online Tutoring is Necessary for Clearing Doubts

• Enthusiasm: Students in secondary school usually do well under teachers who are passionate and enthusiastic about the subject they are teaching. A good online Maths teacher will be able to motivate and inspire their students to do well in Maths. The teacher’s love for the subject may transcend the way your child looks at mathematics.
• Appropriate Use of Latest Digital Technologies: Online Math teaching offers a wide number of opportunities to make this dreaded subject more interesting and interactive. Along with whiteboards and video lessons, online teachers can also use simulations, animations, infographics and more to make their lessons more engaging.

A good online Maths teacher will be able to use these technologies to their advantage to make the learning process more fun and effective for their students. You should check out the website of the online Maths teacher to see the kind of resources they use for their classes.

and more.

Also, read – 5 Ways to Fight Off Math Anxiety

How to choose the best online Maths teacher for 12 to 16-year-olds?

Here are 10 questions to help you choose the best online Maths teacher for your 12 to 16-year-olds:

1. What are the qualifications of the online Maths teacher?
2. How much experience does the Maths teacher have in teaching this age group?
3. What is the teacher’s approach to teaching Maths?
4. Does the online Maths teacher use any interactive games or simulations in their classes?
5. How flexible is the online teacher in catering to the needs of each student?
6. What is the size of the average online class?
7. How often are one-on-one doubt-solving sessions offered?
8. How does the teacher keep the 12 to 16-year-olds engaged in the online class?
9. How can the student reach the teacher before or after the scheduled session?
10. How many free demo classes does the online Maths teacher offer?

You don’t need to enrol in a semester-long or year-long online Math tutoring course at once. You could seek the help of an online teacher for specific concepts your child is struggling with. This can help you judge if the teacher’s style of teaching is a good fit for your child. You can also ask the online Maths teacher to tailor their classes according to the needs of your child.

When looking for an online Maths teacher, you must take into consideration your child’s learning style and pace. Each child is different and what works for one may not work for another. You know your child best and you should choose an online Maths teacher who can offer a flexible approach to cater to the needs of your child.

Do you know some other criteria to keep in mind when choosing an online Maths teacher for 12 to 16-year-olds? Do share them with us in the comments section below.