Some people would not see how Mathematics play a vital role in our studies as well as daily lives. However, Mathematics is an essential component of both logic and reasoning. Moreover, believe it or not, it is also crucial in the human’s effort to comprehend the universe and ourselves. Mathematics is a great approach to develop a level of mental fortitude while also encouraging logical reasoning and creativity. Furthermore, understanding the topics of other educational courses such as sciences and even the arts is dependent on mathematical concepts.
Why is Mathematics an Important Part of the Curriculum?
Mathematics is an important aspect of our collective human history and culture, and we must work to preserve it. Since the earliest times, people are developing means related to Mathematics. Our ancestors were counting their cattle using knots on vines or long grasses, which later gave birth to the abacus. Even the magnificent pyramid is concrete proof of the early people’s attempt to explore and apply mathematical concepts.
When we consider the history of education in general, we can see that mathematics, specifically algebra and geometry, were two of the 7 liberal arts considered in ancient Greece and the medieval era. The role of mathematics in the history of education is a testament to the idea that the subject has given the mental fortitude that other disciplines require.
It is an attribute of individuals who live as proactive, attentive, and participative citizens to be mathematically literate. Basic capabilities in numerical computations, logical reasoning, spatial awareness, and other aspects of mathematical literacy are proven to be very essential in our daily lives more than just a classroom matter.
Mathematical concepts and processes are utilized to address issues in science, engineering, and economics, among other fields and disciplines. When compared to the mathematical literacy mentioned above, the intricacy of those problems typically necessitates the use of more advanced mathematical concepts and processes.
Because mathematics provides foundational information and abilities for other school topics such as physics, art, and economics, the question of how mathematics is connected with other school topics is one that needs to be addressed. Mathematics is given as an auxiliary topic in some educational system to support the study of other academic topics while others offer it as a supplementary subject, integrating it into other disciplines for more in-depth discussions.
The Singapore Mathematics Curriculum
The framework for Singapore Mathematics Curriculum promotes the development of students’ mathematical ability, with a focus on problem-solving and critical thinking, at all grade levels from primary to Junior College education. Theories, techniques, processes, abstract thinking, and discipline are five linked components that enable the development of problem-solving abilities as focused on the framework. This framework is used by schools as guidelines for instructions.
The mathematics curriculum in Singapore is made up of different syllabuses that need to be taken in 12 years of schooling, from elementary to Junior College. Higher knowledge and skills are built atop basic ones in mathematics, following a hierarchy of concepts. Thus, they must be mastered in proper order. The curriculum is organized in a cycle, with each level revisiting and building on previous concepts and skills in order to reach greater depth and knowledge.
Teachers use age-based and level-based approach for appropriate teaching methods to assist their pupils to understand these concepts and abilities. The Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract (C-P-A) method is at the heart of various teaching techniques in the primary and lower secondary levels. Teachers guide students through exercises that help them understand abstract mathematical topics using physical and graphic representations, based on everyday experiences and meaningful circumstances.
As integrated as our educational system is, Singapore Mathematics Curriculum also encourages students who are academically inclined to strive harder in their respective fields of interest. Thus, various examinations to determine the level of mathematics a student can master is given. Should a student show great potential in mathematics subject, he/she can take up the A-level Maths Tuition to help him/her in his future studies.
Why do some students are having difficulty in Mathematics?
Mathematics is sometimes regarded as one of the most complex subjects in school. If you’re asking why you are having such a hard time with math, there could be a variety of reasons, ranging from concentration issues to learning gaps from previous math classes to simply a lack of practice. Here are some of the most frequent reasons students struggle with mathematics, as well as how to get the aid you need to succeed.
- Math is progressive – As mentioned earlier, math is based on the concept of progressive learning. If a student didn’t fully grasp a subject in a previous lesson, they’re prone to struggle with future concepts. Many students who are having difficulty with mathematics feel hesitant or ashamed to ask questions in class for fear of humiliation. Since math principles are similar to building blocks, the foundation must always be set before progressing. The kid will struggle in class if the foundation is not in place.
- Math is complex – Complex problems are common in math, and students must be able to complete numerous steps in a row to discover a solution. This necessitates maintaining a keen focus on the task at hand. When learning complex math techniques, pupils frequently lose focus and become distracted during the lecture.
- Math is considered impractical by many – Students frequently struggle to connect mathematics to reality and see how it is used in everyday life. For example, a student who problems with multiplication might have difficulty seeing that 25 x 4 equals 100. The same pupil, on the other hand, has no trouble knowing that four 25 cents are equivalent to 1 dollar when it is even more complex than the equation.
- Too many distractions – Other times, the culprit behind a student’s poor performance in Mathematics is the number of distractions present in his learning environment. Inside the classroom, the noises of his classmates’ chatter, the idea that he will probably not get called in a recitation anyway, and the crowded place itself can serve as distractions that will hinder him from giving his full attention to the lessons being discussed.
Difficulty in understanding the mathematics subject might be subjective. Students do not have the same learning capabilities. However, it is important to note that even the students who can confidently pass the A-level tests sometimes need supplementary learnings.
About A-level Maths
Advanced Level Mathematics or A-Level Maths in Singapore, as the name suggests, is an advanced and further education qualification. Students who plan to pursue a mathematics degree at a university frequently take A-level Maths for advanced and more in-depth learning.
A-level Maths, like other A-level subjects, encourages candidates to take multiple modules to prepare for the exam. The majority of students will complete three modules in a year, earning an AS-level certification before continuing on to the A-level course the following year, finishing the rest of the modules.
Students have an easier time learning mathematics before moving on to junior college, where they will take their A-Level Math exams. It is because the topics used for the secondary level do not demand extensive computation and memorization of formulas. However, by the time they reach junior college level and begin taking their A-level Maths, they are typically having difficulty understanding mathematics because the classes are more intricate and require more calculations.
It is crucial to understand that A-level Maths are very difficult. Even those who seemed gifted in the subject might find some of the topics challenging and arduous. Thus, getting an A-level Maths Tuition is necessary to help the student cope with the many complex topics at this level.
The Need for an A-level Maths Tutor
In the last few decades, there has been a lot of interests with regards to private tutoring. It is referred to as private tutoring in certain nations, while supplemental tutoring is preferred in others. In Singapore, it is referred to as private tuition or just tuition. Private tuition is not a new phenomenon in Singapore, and the number of students who participate in private tuition is growing.
Private tuition is even more popular in subject areas such as Sciences and Mathematics. The system comes with different levels corresponding to the various levels in a school setup. Thus, you can find an O-level, JC H2 level, and of course A-level Maths Tuition in many tuition centres in the country.
So is A-level Maths Tuition important even if your child is gifted? Definitely.
Self-confidence is one of the most significant hurdles to learning. When children believe they can succeed, they will. As much as believing in their potentials can aid their success, lacking in self-confidence can deter their performance. Their enthusiasm erodes when they don’t understand the topic well enough. This scenario is typical to learners even for the brilliant ones. Even though we are capable of assisting our children at home, we will not be able to learn whether they are succeeding or failing their classes until the report card arrives.
Math tutoring can provide a new and experienced perspective that can benefit your learner’s development. An H2 maths tutor, unlike a school instructor, can pay close attention to your child and even identify any special learning requirements or difficulties that might have gone missing in a crowded classroom.
What Can A Maths Tuition Do to Improve Your Study?
Whether you are preparing for your A-level examination or simply want advanced knowledge for the coming Junior College level, A Maths Tuition can help you improve your studies. Here are some of the benefits of A Maths Tuition:
- One-on-one Approach – It is extremely difficult for a single teacher to attend to each student’s individual needs in a typical classroom setting. With a difficult subject like mathematics, there is a high chance that some students may fall behind. An A Maths tutor who can intensively assess the student’s abilities, identify the areas in which they are struggling and devise a sensible teaching strategy to help the student achieve better scores in his A-level Maths.
- Feedback – Student may not know how well they comprehend the material until they complete a test or finish an exercise. The discussion may have moved on to a different topic by then, and it may be too late to discover areas where improvement is needed. This is a prevalent issue among A Maths subject. The learner can get a comprehension of the content, apply it in context, and receive quick feedback on how well they have acquired the concepts with the help of an A Maths tutor. This method allows the child to go over the topic again and gain a better comprehension of it before moving on.
- It boosts confidence – Learning A Maths topics in a crowded classroom often leads to hesitation when there is a need to clarify things or grey areas. In an A Maths Tuition, the student will be able to ask questions to the tutor without feeling ashamed. This boost in confidence can help him perform better in class.
- An A Maths Tutor Often Use Different Approach – Unlike school teachers who are bound to use the teaching strategies suggested for a group of learners, an A Maths tutor has more freedom with the teaching strategy he wants to utilise. Thus, he can create a lively and interactive learning environment to pique the interest of the tutees and make the lessons more interesting.
Does your child want to pursue a career in the field of Mathematics? Or are you worried that his learnings might not be sufficient enough to let him have a passing score on his A-level exams? If you find yourself in this situation, enrolling your child in an A Maths Tuition can give him the leverage he needs to fulfil his dreams. Finding the best math tuition centre in Singapore that can help your child in his studies is a crucial task for parents. Support your child today by giving him the quality education he needs in the subject that he enjoys.