Teaching Maths During a Pandemic

The current pandemic that we are experiencing has impacted schools, school their staff and families with school age children, requiring parents to be more involved in their children's education. Tutors are also beginning to play a larger part, and many families have found themselves searching for a reliable Maths tutor in Melbourne. The National Council of Mathematics Supervisors believes that it is essential to change the way mathematics is taught in schools. Maths instructions should be more consistent, so teachers and tutors must plan what math classes should be like during these times.

Educators must also recognise the emotional, social, and academic differences of students because these factors will have a great impact on their learning. While the future is still uncertain, educators must now take action and determine what needs more attention. They must focus on flexibility so students can learn maths at varying speeds and levels.

Why is planning key?
Educators must focus on three critical areas, namely, advocacy, structural considerations, and teaching practices. These factors should be in the conversation of district leaders and schools. They must know what supports are needed and what is lacking in their area moving forward.

The critical areas in a mathematics program

• Structural considerations

These factors will include strategies for students, especially after a quarantine period. Teachers must know what support these students need and think out interventions. They could even rework school schedules so students will focus more on their maths subjects.

Schools should also require teachers to work together to determine the most appropriate priorities before teaching maths in the new school year.

• Teaching practices

Educators must use new and improved strategies that focus on formative assessment to gauge and know how well the students are learning maths. It is also essential to adjust if necessary, so being flexible is critical. This means that teachers must know their students' current learning pace and help them improve their learning methods.

For this to be successful, teachers and tutors must ask questions and analyse the activities and assignments of their students.

• Setting maths goals that focus on learning

Implement various tasks that promote problem solving and reason. When you are teaching maths online, always facilitate a meaningful problem-solving class. Teachers should also ask questions with a purpose.

Advocacy
The purpose of advocacy is to make the student realise that maths is everywhere, from gadgets to finance and politics. Therefore, educators should not limit mathematical reasoning to the classroom.
Overall, students should be given the same learning opportunities, so families and the community need to get involved. We still do not know the final outcome of this pandemic and how long it will last, but one thing is certain – we are already in the new normal.