How to become a great online math tutor

Posted by Robert Wilson on December 8th, 2020

Math tuition has always been of high demand because the nature of the subject is as such: complex, unrelatable at times, and the questions in examinations are insane with its difficulty level! This is precisely the reason why math tuition has always been like a necessity and online math tuition these days have gained even more popularity as its absolutely convenient since classes can be conducted from the convenience of home.

Math tuition teachers have had to roll with the punches and adapt to the changes of the way of teaching so many are turning towards online teaching. However, many are unsure if how the transition can be made smoothly. So, here are some ways one can become a great online math tutor!

Firstly, a good tuition tutor must be able to assess the students’ needs and adapt their teaching style and syllabus based on it. Simply reciting a set number of topics in a set way is not an effective way to teach and this is a mistake made by many tutors. Trying to apply a standard method of teaching to all types of students is useless since the learning style of each student is unique.

The benefit of having a tutor is to allow a more personal and one to one learning experience and it will be a waste if this is not capitalised on. However, for this to happen, the tutor must take time and effort to analyse the student’s level. A good tutor would then be able to correct these gaps in the student’s learning.

Secondly, as mentioned previously, a good tutor should also be flexible in accepting the style of the student in answering problems. Different students can have different methods of solving the same problems. It is very important not to discourage a student from using a certain method.

The most that a tutor should do is to expose the student to the other possible methods and let the student choose which method they are comfortable with. Forcing a student to use a method which they are not familiar with may make their problem-solving skills less efficient and may also demotivate them for being creative while solving a problem. Tutors should also not control how students take notes, no matter how disorganised or messy it looks as it is their own personal style.

Thirdly, a good tutor should set aside some time to allow the student to explain their thinking instead of just explaining how to do everything immediately.  Tutors will not be able to fix the problems in the student’s thinking process without even knowing what it is. When a student gets a problem wrong (sometimes even when they get it right), tutors should ask students to explain what they were thinking while solving the problem.

This may feel like a stressful thing for some students and tutors should try to assure them that it is for their own good. By learning how the student thinks, the tutor will be able to change his or her teaching style.

Fourthly, a good tutor must not only be knowledgeable in Mathematics but must also be enthusiastic and passionate about the subject and teaching it. Many people may have the qualification to teach (a degree in Maths for example) but this does not automatically make them a good tutor.

A tutor who despises teaching the subject that they teach will almost never be able to motivate a student to do well in the subject. Any work will have frustrations and when they arise, someone who is not passionate in what they do will have a much harder time dealing with it which is also true for tutoring. There is a big difference between a tutor being strict and being grumpy and unmotivated.

BOTTOM LINE

Adapting to the changes may not be an easy task but in this day and age, this can become a necessity. As more and more students shift towards online tuition, this may become the main mode of tuition in future, so tutors need to ensure that they equip themselves to adapt and adjust!