How to Make the Most of your Online Maths Class

Gone are the days when attending a tutoring class meant you had to be present in a physical classroom, which presented numerous challenges for students with tight schedules and extracurricular commitments. Dymocks makes it easier than ever to access high quality tutoring, digital resources and support services, allowing students to learn whenever and from wherever they are, all while balancing their time for family, friends and other commitments.

On the other hand, if unprepared, online classes can introduce unique challenges. Read on to find out how to make the best use of your online Maths classes, with seamless integration of student interaction and tutor feedback, all from the comfort of your own home or sofa!

Our Philosophy for Online Learning

Our primary vision for Online Learning in Maths is that it will mirror the physical classroom environment, while complementing the learning experience with additional technological support. 

TECHNOLOGY

Minimum tech requirements for students

• Web Cameras to be turned on for all students throughout the lesson

• Students have working microphones.

• Students have access to a quiet space for study or headphones in order to allow focus on the lesson and avoid distractions in the home.

Recommended technology

• A touch screen device or touch compatible device  (e.g. an iPad, or touchscreen laptop)

• A stylus (digital pen)

These requirements enable everyone to better understand and monitor verbal and non verbal cues in the lesson, improving engagement both with other students and the tutor. 

Through interaction in real time via video call and interactive software systems like Jamboard (An interactive whiteboard), our Online Classes go beyond the functionality of a physical classroom, and boast a more meaningful learning experience. 

We also encourage social interaction through Google chat with our students, and encourage them to discuss content and ideas with classmates, building a cohesive classroom community.

In the Maths Classroom

In an online Maths classroom having access to the right tools can make the difference between a seamless learning experience and an un-engaging lesson where the students struggle to grasp even the most basic concepts. 

Working through questions is easiest with the right technology. At Dymocks Tutoring we recommend students have the following.

• A touch capable tablet or laptop (i.e. iPad, Surface Laptop)
• Stylus (i.e. Apple Pencil or )
• A Drawing board and stylus like a Wacom that can be plugged into your device
  (if your computer is not touchscreen)

Want to learn more – check out our buying guide HERE (Megan to create)

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS

In order to present Maths content to online students, our tutors make use of Google Jamboard (online whiteboard) and other interactive software kami. 

Real time answers:

The tutor uses the software to work through a Maths problem or diagram in real time – providing the written working. This is shared instantaneously to the student both through screen share on the Google Meet video call and a link that students have access to.

Real time student responses:

For the tutor to observe the student’s working out of problems and to provide effective feedback, it is necessary that students also have access to a stylus and touch input device to express their solution process on the Jamboard, through the shared link. 4

This way, the tutor is able to interact in real-time with the student and also track their problem-solving development in the content, just as they would in a physical environment with pen and paper.

Avoiding handwritten working and clunky scanning:

In addition to class interaction via Google Meet and Jamboard, tutors also make use of software integrated into the Google Classroom environment to track student progress on Homework or Extension activities, such as Kami. 

This software allows students to write directly into the pdf file containing homework exercises, allowing them to write their working out and solutions using the stylus input, which will save automatically in the cloud. In the following tutoring session or during Study Max, the tutor will be able to view the student’s work and provide further guidance and feedback on that same document, all without the hassle of having to use paper, pen, scanning, and uploading!

Active participation and class community:

Our tutors understand that online learning can be quite isolating for students, and that a student’s disconnectedness from their environment negatively affects their ability to learn. 

At Dymocks Tutoring, care for our students is integral to all that we do. Our tutors make sure to involve each and every student in class discussions. Tutors also circulate the virtual space regularly to monitor each student’s progress, and to provide comprehensive feedback on each student’s work – using the shared documents and Jamboard. In this way, our tutors ensure that students are actively engaged in their learning and in class discussion.  

We want our students to feel like they are part of their class community so we’ll often include ice breakers and a social element to our lessons. Learning online doesn’t mean you can’t make some new friends!