Classes – What to expect
Teaching, Learning, Practice, Revision
Classes are the very best way of giving Students mathematical and examination information.
SMC classes specialise in:
- Revision
- Exam techniques
- Study techniques
- Worked examples
- Standard questions
- Summaries of topics
- Careless errors and how to avoid them
Classes are divided into 3 sections:
The Tutorial-Revision Section
I start each Class with a short revision test – the
Fact Test. I mark this test on the board. It gives me an opportunity
to talk about:
- How to do the question and what examiners would accept
- What the examiners would expect for full marks
- How to avoid careless errors
- How to start questions – often the hardest part
- How to get marks when you cannot do a question
- Study tips and relevant examination hints
- Common mistakes for this type of question
- Harder or easier questions related to this question
- How questions relate to other parts of the course
Students can ask questions at any time during the class – especially during
this time. An abbreviated summary of the theory required for any question may be
put on the board, if you request it or I think that it is warranted.
The Teaching-Learning Section
I carefully explain the theory, then put a worked example on the board. Once I've
completed the worked example, Students attempt a similar example. If Students have
a problem it is fixed then! This continues throughout the night with Students doing
the majority of the work.
If summaries of the topic are needed, then Students will design them (I help). Students
have not come to watch me do Mathematics. I want Students to do as much as possible
– within reason.
Don't worry, no-one will be asked to show their working on the board!
The Homework-Practice-Revision Section
Homework, with answers or complete worked solutions, is given each lesson. Questions
in the homework are designed to reinforce the ideas of the lesson, or they are past
examination questions – from schools or from the HSC. I recommend that the
homework is done at once, or, if that is impractical, that it is done when there
is an examination on that topic.
|