Additional Math Related Web Sites that are great for students

www.math.com

Math.com is a great option for struggling students in subjects ranging from Basic Math to Calculus, and beyond.  As part of this, the site offers a revolutionary approach to the subject matter.  Overall, the site offers students 24/7 access to a tutor that can assist them immediately.  Additionally, the site offers assessments that are easy to use, on-demand courses that target key concepts, and expert answers to specific questions.

Like most math websites, designed for students, math.com offers games and other interactive learning tools that present the subject matter in a "friendly, fun" way.  However, one of the wonderful features of the website is the calculator option.  The feature gives students access to calculators that are helpful with any level of math.  Overall, given the fact that most students do not have access to math calculators at home, this option is beneficial to students and teachers alike.  For instance, the use of this site, will allow teachers to assign homework problems that require graphing and other higher level calculations.

In reality, this website can be used by teachers in a couple ways.  First, as mentioned above, the calculator option allows teachers to assign homework that requires a graphing calculator.  At the same time, it allows students to practice their skills at home.  At present, most students only have access to a calculator at school.

Additionally, the site is quite useful for struggling students.  Given the fact that students have access to a tutor 24/7, teachers can use the site as a resource when assigning homework.  Further, struggling students can be directed to the site to work through the on-demand courses.  Since many math problems can be solved in a variety of ways, it is always beneficial to allow students to see another way of doing things.

www.mathpower.com

Mathpower.com is an award winning website that offers a variety of services to students struggling in Basic Math and Algebra.  In reality, the site is very different from most math web pages for several reasons.  First, the site offers students with study skills and ways to overcome math anxiety during assessments.  Further, it offers students a way to find their own learning style, along with the teaching style of the instructor.  Overall, this is done in a humorous way and the ideas presented are beneficial to students and teachers.

While the site is very different from most math websites, it is important to mention that the site does offer instructional options for struggling students.  As part of this, the site is full of tutorials, assignments, and math videos that can be accessed 24/7.  In addition, the websites offers a forum for discussing questions with a professor on a variety of math topics.

Overall, this site has a specific use that would be great for students and teachers.  For teachers, this site could be used as a means to reveal the ways students learn.  For instance, early in the year, the teacher could require the students to complete an assessment on their learning style and turn it in as homework.  As part of this, the teacher could find their teaching style on the site.  Knowing this information would be beneficial since a teacher could make adjustments to their teaching style to accommodate specific students.  Hopefully, in the long run this will increase student achievement.

Further, the site could be used as a resource for any teacher when dealing with struggling students.  For students experiencing math anxiety, the teacher could present ideas from the website to alleviate this problem. At the same time, the teacher can use ideas from the site to improve study skills.  Ultimately, this site can be used to increase confidence in all students.