One of the most significant benefits of the modern digital age is that it gives people choices. For some, that choice might be where to order their dinner or how to read the newspaper. But for high-school-aged students, the choice is more consequential; the digital age lets you choose how you approach education.
Students at traditional brick-and-mortar schools might find that they are better suited for online education – at least for some subjects. In this article, we make the case for taking math courses online. Why should you consider it? What are its benefits? And how can online courses help students who conventionally struggle with mathematical concepts? Let’s take a closer look.
Remote Courses Can Alleviate Math Anxiety
“Math anxiety” is a genuine concern in pedagogical circles. Defined as a disruptive aversion to classroom-based mathematics, math anxiety can seriously set students back in their education. Students who suffer from math anxiety might clam up during tests, avoid attending math class or tune out during lectures for fear of failure.
If you (or your kid) might struggle with math anxiety, consider online education. In many cases, math anxiety is a by-product of social or peer-related anxiety. Students don’t want to appear incapable in front of peers, so they stress out about their math performance. Challenging online math courses like MHF4U Advanced Functions let students learn through the material in a safe, comfortable, remote setting removed from peer sentiment.
Self-Paced Studies Can Help Students Catch Up – or Get Ahead
The best online schools follow a self-paced model; students work through a course at their own pace, learning as quickly or slowly as they want. If a certain unit on polynomials is giving them grief, they can slow the pace and take time to digest the material. Conversely, if they feel confident in their trigonometry unit, they can speed up and finish sooner.
This model benefits everyone. It benefits students who require more time to tackle challenging math concepts. It benefits students who need to “catch up” in their math education by covering lost ground. And it helps students eager to work ahead to the next grade’s math courses by allowing them to complete their courses faster.
Online Education Mirrors Modern Math-Focused Workplaces
For some students, math is more than a class – it’s career preparation. They might look forward to engineering careers, computer programming jobs, accounting, banking, investing, etc. And they want a math education that prepares them for the job market ahead.
Modern workplaces are inordinately digital; they use online communication, software, digital tools, etc. Therefore, learning math in a digital environment can help students prepare for the professional application of those mathematical concepts and practices.
Quality Online Schools Offer Layers of Support
Finally, quality online schools aren’t entirely remote – at least not in the sense that students are left alone to fend for themselves. The best online high schools offer layers of student support, like one-on-one videoconferencing with teachers, 24/7 tutor services (for those late-night study sessions) and career planning. These support structures aid students who might otherwise struggle with math and need extra attention.
Online education isn’t for everyone. However, it can be a fantastic alternative for students who struggle with math, want to work ahead in their courses, plan on entering a math-adjacent profession or thrive in a robust support system.
