Kiran Lee

I think that the more hands-on and interactive a lesson is, the more useful (and fun!) it is for students.

My typical lesson format would include a quick review of the previous lesson where applicable, before diving into the theory and application of a topic of the student's choosing. It is best for me if I can know in advance which types of topics would be best for us to focus on, as I can then prepare visual aids for learning and create practice problems to work on. It also helps me think about the most intuitive ways to explain the course content the student is struggling with, as a different perspective or new way of thinking about things can often turn a really difficult topic into a more enjoyable one.

I like to make extensive use of online whiteboards for working together on questions. After going through the theory, I will initially allow students to work on a problem independently until the point where they need help, as I think this helps to pinpoint any misunderstandings or areas of low confidence. I'm always happy to jump in and assist at any time, guiding the student to the final solution where needed, and focusing on building their ability until they are able to complete questions without my help.

I am also always happy to talk about potential applications of certain theory, where it might be useful in everyday life or in future mathematical or scientific study. While I'm by no means an expert in every discipline, I love talking about the different types of maths in my current area of study, modelling and predicting climate processes, as well as other subjects I've looked at throughout my degree so far. I think an understanding of the greater importance of mathematical techniques, that in school may seem like needless tricks to remember, helps motivate and inspire students, so I love to bring in wider context to my lessons where it is useful to do so. Though of course, if a student wants to focus purely on the GCSE content, then I am happy to stick to that as well!