Varsity Tutors can help your student maximize their study efforts in any International Baccalaureate (IB) math course with IB Math tutoring.
The IB is an international academic foundation with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The organization offers four different educational programs of study; the IB Career-related Programme, the IB Diploma Programme, the IB Middle Years Programme, and the IB Primary Years Programme. To offer these programs, a school must be authorized by the organization.
The IB organization prides itself on creating curriculum which helps students learn critical thinking, to challenge assumptions, develop independently of national and governmental systems, incorporate high-quality research methodology, to think of local and global consequences, and to become better global citizens.
What is IB Math?
When people talk about IB Math courses, they are usually referring to the mathematical courses available as part of the IB Diploma Programme. There are four types of IB Math courses your student may enroll in when pursuing an IB diploma:
- Analysis and Approaches SL
- Analysis and Approaches HL
- Applications and Interpretation SL
- Applications and Interpretation HL
IB curriculum is reviewed and updated in seven-year cycles to ensure the content reflects the latest scientific, research, historical, and educational developments.
All IB Math courses accommodate the variety of interests, needs, and abilities of a diverse student population. They are designed to meet the requirements of many different educational and career aspirations.
The purposes of IB Math classes are to empower students to:
- Develop their mathematical knowledge, principles, and concepts.
- Develop their critical, creative, and logical thinking skills.
- Develop and refine their abilities of generalization and abstraction.
IB Math students are also encouraged to recognize and appreciate the varying international dimensions of mathematics, including the large variety of historical and cultural perspectives.
Working with IB Math tutors can help your student as they make their way through the curriculum found in any of the IB Math classes.
What are some of the skills an IB Math tutor can help my student learn?
IB Math courses focus on developing a student's abilities of abstraction, analysis, generalization, statistical literacy, risk awareness, modeling, algorithmic thinking, and inquiry. IB Math tutors can help your student, whether they choose to pursue one of the Analysis and Approaches courses or one of the Applications and Interpretation courses. Both options are offered as a Standard Level and a Higher Level.
In the Analysis and Approaches courses, students will work to develop their skills in mathematical thinking and to become fluent in constructing mathematical arguments. As part of this course, students will work on mathematical problem solving, generalization, and exploring real and abstract applications with and without the use of technology.
In the Applications and Interpretation courses, students will work with mathematics in a practical context. They will work to develop their ability to solve practical problems with the use of technology and improve their ability to use mathematics to describe the world around them.
When you sign your student up to study alongside an IB Math tutor, your private instructor can cover the curriculum of any of these courses. Your academic mentor will be a math expert with the ability to understand what's expected of your student in the course and on exams, and they can make sure to cover all of the concepts your student needs to know.
How can an IB Math tutor help my student prepare for assessments?
Your student's personal IB Math instructor can help them prepare for assessments in a few different ways. An instructor can help your student develop their test-taking strategies for the various types of assessments they will face as part of their IB Math course. While it is important to have a solid understanding of the subject area content, testing skills are also crucial if students are to demonstrate their knowledge level effectively.
IB Math classes have several ways of assessing student development. Different types are used to test different abilities and skills. Depending on the type of assessment your student is preparing for, they can work with their personal instructor to develop strategies to quickly move through questions in the most efficient and effective way possible.
Some of the assessments impose time limits, which can offer an added layer of testing complexity. If your student needs to prepare for a timed test, they can work with their private instructor to develop time management strategies that will help them work to answer as many questions as possible during the time they are given.
The two primary types of assessments in IB Math classes are External Assessments and Internal Assessments. Historically, External Assessments have been 80 percent of a student's grade, and the remaining 20 percent is based on the Internal Assessment. External Assessments are similar to exams in other academic programs. The Internal Assessment tends to be more like a research paper. Working with a private IB Math instructor can make the process of preparing for these assessments less stressful while allowing your student to maximize their study efforts.
How is IB Math tutoring different from taking a class?
When your student is in an IB Math classroom, their teacher will likely be very focused on delivering the required content within the time limitations of the class. This usually doesn't leave much time for reviewing, answering specific student questions, or providing the content so that it appeals to a variety of different learning styles. The opposite is true when your student works with an IB Math tutor. A private instructor is able to take time to get to know each of their students. They can discover your student's personal learning style as well as their academic strengths and weaknesses, educational goals, and interests outside of school. This information can then be utilized to develop a personal plan of study as unique as your student.
Working with a personal IB Math instructor means that every session is personalized to suit your student's learning style and educational needs. As they progress in their knowledge of the subject, their lessons can evolve and be adjusted to match their current academic needs.
The primary difference between taking an IB Math class and working with IB Math tutors is that the individualized instruction your student receives during their private session exceeds what is typically available in an IB Math class.
How can I get my student started with IB Math tutoring?
Varsity Tutors makes it easy to connect with highly qualified IB Math tutors who can meet with your student in person or in a digital learning environment. Either option gives your student the educational support described previously. The key difference between the two options is in how much scheduling flexibility is offered by each.
When parents first enroll their student into an IB program, they recognize that the content will be challenging and it will help prepare their child for future academic and career opportunities. However, the reality of the rigorous nature of the curriculum can quickly become overwhelming for some students. When this happens, it is natural to begin looking for professional academic support in order to allow your student to maximize the learning opportunities available to them within the IB program.
When parents begin thinking of tutoring as an option for their student, they often think it is something that must be done in person. This leads to time spent reading ads, talking to other parents, and perhaps even speaking to teachers at the school as they look for a local instructor who can work with their student. However, IB courses require knowledge of the mathematical principles covered within the various IB Math classes, but also a familiarity with the format of the individual IB courses and their assessment practices. It can be remarkably challenging to find someone who is qualified in all of these areas when searching through applicants on one's own. Varsity Tutors can make the process easier by connecting you with highly qualified IB Math tutors.
However, it can be easier to locate someone who can work with your student remotely. Opening the pool of candidates to include those who work remotely gives you more options from which to choose. Your student still meets with their instructor face-to-face, but instead of it being at a local coffee shop, it is online using our secure Live Learning Platform.
During your student's private sessions, they will log on and be connected with their private instructor where they will be able to see, hear, interact, and receive real-time feedback just as if they were in the same room. It can be much easier to schedule session times with remote instructors.
Varsity Tutors makes it easy for you to connect with skilled IB Math tutors who can help your student develop study habits, learn study strategies, and better understand the concepts and skills they are expected to learn in their IB Math class. If you are ready to give your student the educational support they need to maximize their IB Math study efforts, Varsity Tutors can help. Contact us now to get started today.
