Finding a way to master math can lead to long-term success
For families
Many students struggle with math, believe they’re “not good at math,” or think it’s boring. But math skills aren't just important to academic performance; they’re also a crucial skill that students will need in their personal and professional lives, no matter what they plan to do later.
Research shows that when it comes to math, a positive, confident attitude is key. Improving attitudes toward math through practice and mastery is necessary for learners to achieve their goals—not only in class, but beyond.
No two students are exactly alike, and there are a number of reasons why they might struggle with math.
Some learners may lack a strong foundation in basic concepts like operations, which makes advanced concepts even more difficult. Others might be overwhelmed by the number and complexity of higher level math classes. Then there are the students who discover that math just doesn’t click with them the way that other subjects do.
When this happens, parents and caregivers may be wondering why it’s so important to get help for math. After all, math is just one subject, and it isn’t always relevant to daily life.
However, the reality is that math skills are important in a number of ways, including as a fundamental building block for other subjects.
If a child struggles with math, for example, they may find it difficult to take measurements in science class. Failure across subjects can lead a child to believe they are not good at school. When this happens, the child’s confidence, and grades, will suffer in all subjects, beyond math.
Working with numbers also plays a significant part in daily life and in many careers. Being able to do basic math, such as adding, subtracting, and multiplying, is essential for managing finances, cooking, and planning trips. In STEM jobs, more complex, higher level math skills are a must.
With this in mind, it’s important for students to gain confidence in their math skills—not just for their grades, but for future success. For many students, a math tutoring program can provide the support they need to overcome the “math block.”
Quality math tutoring includes instruction on the concepts students need to learn for class, foundational topics they may have not fully mastered, and/or enrichment topics that go beyond their classroom curriculum.
In addition to math, tutors teach other essential ideas and skills that contribute to a child’s ongoing development. These skills support academic outcomes, but also provide tools that can be used outside of school and throughout a lifetime.
Online tutoring has grown as students and their families become more familiar with online tools and their effectiveness. While some may worry it’s not as personalized as in-person instruction, this isn’t always the case.
Students benefit from personalized and flexible learning experiences. Online math tutoring programs provide students with both of these. First, online math tutoring programs are designed to meet the individual needs of each student. This means that the program can be adjusted to fit the student's learning style, pace, and level of understanding.
Second, online math tutoring programs are more flexible than traditional classroom instruction. Students can log in and receive help at any time of day or night, from anywhere in the world. This flexibility is essential for busy students who have other commitments outside of school.
Along with making it easier to find a qualified tutor, online tutoring makes scheduling and attending tutoring sessions much more convenient. Students can schedule sessions with their tutors based on their own availability, and they can also attend tutoring sessions from anywhere—which may be especially important for students who live in rural areas or don’t have regular access to after-school transportation.
Because online tutoring doesn’t include the costs of travel or maintaining a physical space, it’s often less costly than in-person tutoring services. For students who struggle with math and may need more intensive tutoring, this may make getting the help they need more affordable.
Online math tutoring programs also frequently provide a more personalized learning experience than many in-person tutoring options, like after-school programs or classes at a local tutoring center. Instead of assigning one teacher for a class of students, online tutoring programs usually pair each student with a dedicated tutor who gets to know the student and how they learn, allowing them to tailor tutoring sessions to be as valuable as possible.
Just because online tutoring is virtual doesn’t mean that students won’t get hands-on learning opportunities. Online tutoring programs often incorporate technology that allows students and tutors to work on problems together, like interactive whiteboards. This allows tutors to demonstrate problem-solving approaches, for example, and provides students with a way to work through problems on their own while getting real-time feedback and instruction.
With all of these options available, parents and caregivers may wonder whether online math tutoring or in-person tutoring is better. The answer to this question really depends on the child’s needs.
Some children learn best when they are able to interact with their tutor face-to-face. Other children, however, might feel more comfortable learning in an online environment.
However, online math tutoring programs today are designed to provide a highly interactive experience. This means they are convenient, with tutors available at your schedule, and as engaging as an in person tutoring session.
Choosing an online tutoring program does not mean trading quality for convenience.
When looking for an online math tutor, there are a few things that parents and caregivers should keep in mind.
At Remind, our goal is to provide quality, convenient online tutoring services that help students succeed in school and in life. Our communications platform is the top education app in the U.S. and we are leveraging our expertise to provide students everywhere with quality, dependable tutoring services.
We believe strong math skills pave the road to lifetime success, which is why our online math tutoring program is designed to help students of all levels improve their skills. Parents and caregivers can rely on our tutoring services to provide their kids with the confidence and skills needed to excel in math class now and reach their goals later.
Just like you, we at Remind want the best for your kids’ short- and long-term learning. We are committed to pairing each student with the best fit tutor to build a relationship that leads to learning content and skills for a lifetime of success. Find out more about how we can help your kids succeed in school in math and in other subjects.
