At Mastering Mathematics (Bemeester Wiskunde) the emphasis is on interactive learning. What is interactive learning? If you just listen/see how I solve all the problems, you may think you understand, but if you do it yourself and get it right, you know you understand. Now you just need to practise/learn. Only then, you are ready for more difficult problems or new challenges that build on what you already know.
There are four (4) stages in problem-solving: explore, understand, learn and challenges. Sometimes you need to know/learn the rules first to understand, but to understand is not just waving a magic wand! It is a process! I am going to explain how it works by using an example of how you learn to ride a bicycle.
Mathematics is like riding a bicycle. You can not learn to ride a bicycle if you do not try it yourself!
First, you just stand and observe, and when you muster up enough courage, you try. This is the explore phase. You may fall and even get hurt, but you try again.
You get a feeling of how it works, and you think you know what to do. You instinctively understand more or less how it works. Now you ride with more confidence and know how the pedals, wheels and handlebar works together.
Now comes the next phase. You should continue riding so that you practise and learn how it works. Eventually it happens automatically, without thinking. Even if you stop riding for a while, you will be able to ride a bike again, provided you practised enough initially.
Since you can handle the basics of riding a bicycle, you have enough confidence to attempt new challenges, such as holding on with one hand, or riding over a big bump in the road. You may be falling again, but you get up and try again!
What should you bring to the virtual classroom?
You need a pen and paper and for an online-session, you also need a smartphone. It’s handy to have a tablet or a computer, but as long as you can set up your smartphone so that I can see how you tackle a problem, I can help you. You can build a structure to lift your phone so that that it “hangs” or lies high enough above your writing paper. Your camera should be able to take a video of what you do, while you work. Make sure that your phone battery is fully charged before a session. If you have Wifi at home it will also help to save data.
Where is the virtual classroom?
There are two (2) options. We can work through WhatsApp, or in ZOOM. You can download Zoom from the “Play Store” (for free) before you start your sessions. Play around with the ZOOM APP (application) so that you are comfortable working in it. You don’t have to do much, except to get into the virtual class.
How do I begin?
After you’ve made an appointment on the calendar, I’m going to send you a link (via WhatsApp) to get into the Zoom classroom for the specific time you booked. You just click on the link at the appropriate time.
It is important that I know beforehand what your problem is. It is also important that you attend the sessions regularly. I can’t teach you everything in one lesson or determine where your math building blocks are weak. If the online sessions are not satisfactory, you are welcome to book a face-to-face (contact) session.
How big is the class?
A maximum of 4 learners/students can be accommodated in one session. If you do not struggle with mathematics in general, but only struggle with a specific problem/concept/section of mathematics, you are welcome to book an individual session .
I must know beforehand what your problem is so that we use the time together optimally. It also enable me to prepare extra material for your session.
Remember! A bicycle ride around the world begins with a single pedal stroke. ~ Scott Stoll
Bicycle Quotes – https://theargonauts.com/bicycle-quotes/#number-1-bicycle-quote