Dr. Moppsie Responds to a Terrified Student
Susan Smith Nash, Ph.D.
Dear Dr. Moppsie,
I'm thrilled that you've started answering e-learning questions, and are willing to give excellent tips that will help me succeed. I appreciate it because I'm terrified. I have been avoiding math as long as I can, but, as they say, “You can run, but you can't hide.” I need to take and pass (this is the key consideration!)
Beginning Algebra.
Help! I have a math phobia. To make it worse, I've successfully avoided math for many years, and I've forgotten anything I ever knew. What can I do? I'm doubly afraid because I'm taking the course online. How will I ask questions? How can I get in a study group?
Signed,
Numbers Give Me Nightmares
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Dear Numbers,
Don't worry — you're in luck! Do you realize that by signing up for an online Beginning Algebra course, you'll have probably ten times the resources that you'd have in a traditional class?
Also, you'll have the opportunity to form a study group, or have a study buddy, and you'll be able to communicate with them 24-7. That's a lot better than meeting after class or trying to figure out everyone's schedules so you can meet, isn't it?
Real World Applications
Even the most basic math concepts begin with real-world applications. You'll automatically ask yourself questions: How do I solve this? How do I do this?
Teaching math has changed a great deal over the last few years. You're going to be introduced to concepts "where they live" so that the entire process makes sense. For example, you might be faced with a real estate problem. How do you figure out how much commission your real estate agent will make? How much will you have to bring to closing? Wouldn't it be nice to be able to check the numbers that you've been given by the title company? Chances are, you're already thinking about how you'd make the calculations.
If so, you're on your way. You're involved in what is called "situated learning" — the problem is located or situated in a specific time, place, and it's a comfortable, practical way to approach abstract concepts.
What happens if you get stuck? The nice thing about online learning is that you'll have a chance to work with other people, and you can share steps in the process.
Tag Team Algebra
Solve problems together. Each member of the team breaks problems into steps. Then, in the discussion board area, or in a special collaborative space online, each member of the team will post his or her part of the problem. You'll have a chance to comment on it, and to see how they arrived at their approach.
Videos with Step-by-Step Guide
You might have trouble getting started, and would like someone to lead you through the process, step by step. You're embarrassed to ask your professor, and you don't quite understand the explanations that your fellow students provide. Plus, you may not have a lot of confidence in them. After all, they're learning, too!
This is where videos in which a professor explains each step are great. Usually,
the professor works with a whiteboard or a computer tablet that records his or
her moves, but sometimes the professor is even writing on a chalkboard and someone is filming
while as he or she works the problems out on the board, and he explains each step. The nice thing about video is that you can replay it as many times as you need, and you can practice alongside him
or her — just take out a piece of paper and a pen/pencil and get to work.
Write down the problem. Start to solve it. Then play the video and see if you're doing the same thing. Then stop the video, and continue solving the problem. Play the video again and check. You'll be amazed at how it feels just like having a mentor. The nice thing is that your mentor or tutor is infinitely patient, will repeat things a thousand times if necessary, and is utterly free. :)
Collaborative Learning
Answer questions collectively. Teams and study buddies are great. If your instructor does not have a thread in the discussion board where you can ask questions, and then respond to each other, please ask her to add one right away. Also, the "virtual student lounge" concept can be great for facilitating team learning.
Online Quizzes and Practice Problems
Your online course will come with a number of resources. They may be a part of your textbook. Alternatively, there may be links to online resources — quizzes, review, and interactive practice items. They help you practice solving the problems in a way that will help you prepare for a testing situation.
Taking online quizzes and solving practice problems in a format similar to your tests will help you gain confidence, and will help you conquer performance anxiety.
Online Mentors and Tutoring Services
Do you need a live person to guide you through the problems? There are many online tutoring services — you can find them online and even in multi-user virtual worlds such as Second Life. Here's a cautionary note, though — you may find yourself deviating a bit from your course textbook, course problems, and even the material you'll be assessed on. You'll learn a lot, but it may not be what you'll be tested over. So it may better to focus on your course, your course outcomes and the learning objectives, along with the specific texts, practices, and more.