The BEST Way to Learn Math as an Adult for FREE

Tyson Clark
1 Oct 202109:39
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe speaker shares their personal experience with learning math as an adult, emphasizing the importance of active engagement in the learning process. They discuss the limitations of platforms like Khan Academy, where understanding gaps can lead to frustration. The speaker recommends the 'School Yourself' program on edx.org for its interactive and comprehensive approach to teaching math fundamentals, including algebra and geometry. The courses offer instant feedback, hints, and the opportunity to work through problems with guidance, making them ideal for adults looking to fill knowledge gaps and build a strong foundation in mathematics.

Takeaways
  • 📚 The speaker emphasizes the importance of actively engaging with math problems to learn effectively, rather than just passively watching videos.
  • 🔍 They mention the limitations of online platforms like Khan Academy, where understanding can be hindered by the lack of instant feedback and the need to rewatch videos to catch missed concepts.
  • 👤 The value of in-person help is highlighted, as it provides immediate correction and guidance when mistakes are made.
  • 💡 The speaker recommends using the platform edx.org for learning math, which offers instant feedback and a structured approach to learning.
  • 🌟 They specifically endorse the 'School Yourself' courses on edx, which start from the basics and build up to more complex topics like algebra and geometry.
  • 📈 The courses on edx are designed to be interactive, with features like number line examples and the ability to speed up video lectures.
  • 🛠️ The platform provides tools for learners, such as a hint system and a calculator for practice, to aid understanding.
  • 🔁 The courses allow for repetition and review, ensuring that learners can reinforce their understanding before moving on to more complex topics.
  • 🏆 Challenge questions are included to test the integration of knowledge and to ensure a deep understanding of the subject matter.
  • 📈 The 'School Yourself' courses are praised for their comprehensive nature, covering everything from basic math to algebra and geometry.
  • 🎓 The speaker suggests that these courses are particularly beneficial for adults looking to fill gaps in their math knowledge or to learn math from the ground up.
Q & A

  • What is the speaker's main concern about learning math as an adult?

    -The speaker is concerned about the gaps in their math knowledge from elementary school and the difficulty in addressing these gaps due to the cumulative nature of math.

  • Why does the speaker recommend Khan Academy for learning math?

    -The speaker recommends Khan Academy because it provides a good balance of teaching and doing, allowing learners to apply what they've learned immediately.

  • What is the main issue the speaker has with Khan Academy?

    -The main issue is that there can be a lag between learning and applying knowledge, which can lead to learners having to rewatch videos to catch concepts they missed.

  • What is the advantage of having an in-person teacher when learning math, according to the speaker?

    -An in-person teacher can provide immediate feedback when a learner makes a mistake, which is beneficial for understanding and correcting errors on the spot.

  • What is the name of the platform the speaker suggests for learning math with instant feedback?

    -The speaker suggests using the platform called edX for learning math with instant feedback.

  • What is the name of the specific course the speaker recommends on edX for learning math from the ground up?

    -The speaker recommends the course called 'Introduction to Algebra' by School Yourself on edX.

  • How does the 'Introduction to Algebra' course ensure that learners understand the material?

    -The course ensures understanding by checking for comprehension after each section and providing hints and guidance when learners struggle with problems.

  • What feature of the course allows learners to interact with the material?

    -The course allows learners to interact with the material through features like a number line, a calculator, and the ability to draw and erase on the screen.

  • What is the benefit of the review questions after each section in the 'Introduction to Algebra' course?

    -The review questions help reinforce the concepts learned and provide challenge questions that integrate various knowledge points, testing the learner's ability to apply concepts.

  • Why does the speaker suggest the 'Introduction to Geometry' course by School Yourself on edX?

    -The speaker suggests the 'Introduction to Geometry' course because it provides a thorough introduction to geometry concepts and helps fill in knowledge gaps, especially for those who struggled with geometry in the past.

  • What is the speaker's overall opinion on the edX math courses by School Yourself?

    -The speaker believes that the School Yourself courses on edX are the best for adults trying to learn math, as they offer a structured approach with instant feedback and comprehensive reviews.

Outlines
00:00
📚 Adult Math Learning Challenges and Solutions

The speaker discusses the difficulties faced by adults when trying to learn math, particularly when there are gaps in their knowledge from earlier education. They mention their own experience of being easily distracted in school and the resulting need to fill in those gaps. The speaker criticizes traditional math education and suggests that actively doing math, rather than just watching videos, is crucial for learning. They highlight the usefulness of Khan Academy but also point out its limitations, such as the difficulty of revisiting missed concepts. The speaker then recommends a more interactive approach, such as having an in-person tutor, which provides immediate feedback. They introduce a program called edx, which offers instant feedback and a structured learning path from basic math to algebra, making it an ideal resource for adult learners.

05:02
📈 Learning Math through Interactive Online Courses

The speaker continues by detailing the edx platform's approach to teaching math, starting from the basics like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, and moving on to more complex topics like factoring. They describe the interactive features of the platform, such as the ability to use a calculator and draw on the screen, and the immediate feedback provided through hints and guidance from a virtual tutor. The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding concepts rather than just memorizing them. They also mention the option to earn a certificate for the course, which requires a fee, but highlight that the course can be taken for free. The speaker then discusses the structure of the course, which includes video lectures followed by review questions and challenge questions that integrate various concepts. They conclude by recommending edx as the best platform they've found for adults to learn math and fill in knowledge gaps.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Math Education
Math education refers to the process of teaching and learning mathematical concepts. In the video, the speaker discusses the challenges they faced with traditional math education during their school years, which led to gaps in their mathematical knowledge. The theme of the video revolves around finding effective ways to learn math as an adult, making math education a central concept.
💡Khan Academy
Khan Academy is a well-known online learning platform that offers lessons in various subjects, including math. The speaker mentions Khan Academy as a resource for learning math but points out the challenge of self-learning without immediate feedback, which can lead to gaps in understanding. The platform is used as an example to illustrate the need for more interactive and feedback-driven learning methods.
💡Instant Feedback
Instant feedback refers to the immediate response or guidance provided to a learner to help them understand and correct mistakes. The video emphasizes the importance of instant feedback in the learning process, especially for a subject like math where understanding concepts is crucial. It is highlighted as a feature of the edx platform's courses, which the speaker recommends.
💡EdX
EdX is an online learning platform that offers university-level courses in a wide range of disciplines. In the context of the video, edX is recommended for its interactive and feedback-oriented approach to teaching math. The speaker praises a specific course on edX called 'School Yourself' for its ability to provide instant feedback and help fill gaps in mathematical knowledge.
💡Algebra
Algebra is a branch of mathematics that deals with symbols and the rules governing their manipulation. The speaker mentions algebra as a higher-level math subject that they initially felt was too advanced for their foundational gaps. However, the 'Introduction to Algebra' course on edX is highlighted as starting from the basics, making it suitable for adults looking to build a strong foundation in math.
💡Geometry
Geometry is a branch of mathematics concerned with the properties and relationships of points, lines, surfaces, and higher-dimensional spaces. The speaker discusses their struggles with geometry during high school and how the 'Introduction to Geometry' course on edX helped them understand the subject better. Geometry is presented as another area where the speaker found edX's approach to be beneficial.
💡Number Line
A number line is a visual representation of numbers in which numbers are placed in a line following their order from smallest to largest. In the video, the number line is used as an example of a concept taught in the edX course, illustrating the platform's use of visual aids to help learners understand mathematical concepts.
💡Conceptual Learning
Conceptual learning involves understanding the underlying principles and ideas that form the basis of a subject, rather than just memorizing facts. The speaker appreciates the conceptual approach taken by the edX courses, which helps learners grasp the 'why' behind mathematical operations, making the learning process more meaningful and effective.
💡Interactive Learning
Interactive learning is a teaching method that involves active participation and engagement from the learner, often through the use of technology or other interactive tools. The video praises the interactive nature of the edX courses, which include features like hint systems and immediate feedback, making the learning experience more dynamic and effective.
💡Challenge Questions
Challenge questions are more difficult problems designed to test a learner's comprehensive understanding of a subject. In the context of the video, the speaker describes how, after answering a series of basic questions correctly, the edX courses present challenge questions that integrate various concepts, providing a deeper level of learning and assessment.
💡Gaps in Knowledge
Gaps in knowledge refer to areas where a learner lacks understanding or has not fully grasped a concept. The speaker discusses their personal experience with gaps in their math knowledge and how the edX courses helped them identify and fill these gaps, emphasizing the importance of addressing these areas for effective learning.
Highlights

The speaker discusses the challenges of learning math as an adult, especially when there are gaps in foundational knowledge.

Khan Academy is mentioned as a good resource for learning math, but it may not be ideal for practical application due to a lack of immediate feedback.

The importance of doing math problems rather than just watching videos is emphasized for effective learning.

The issue of lag in learning is described, where missing a concept in a video requires re-watching the entire lesson to understand.

The benefits of in-person help in math education are highlighted, particularly the immediate feedback when making a mistake.

The speaker recommends edx.org for its interactive and feedback-driven approach to learning math.

Introduction to Algebra course on edx is praised for starting from the basics and building up to algebra.

The course design allows for conceptual understanding and includes interactive elements like number lines and calculators.

The course provides instant feedback and hints to help learners when they struggle with a concept.

The speaker shares a personal experience of struggling with geometry and how the edx course helped fill in the gaps.

Introduction to Geometry course is recommended for those who need to strengthen their understanding of geometry.

The review sections in the edx courses are noted for their ability to integrate knowledge and challenge learners.

The speaker emphasizes the value of challenge questions in assessing and solidifying understanding of complex concepts.

Edx courses are described as the best option for adult learners looking to fill gaps in their math knowledge.

The courses are available for free, making them accessible to a wide range of learners.

The speaker encourages learners to utilize edx for a comprehensive and structured approach to learning math.

Transcripts

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Adult LearningMath EducationKhan AcademyOnline CoursesAlgebra BasicsGeometry FundamentalsInteractive LearningEducational GapsLearning StrategiesWeb-Based EducationPersonalized Feedback