A lot of what works in corporate e-learning doesn’t work quite as well with teaching math concepts.
For example, you can explain a new policy with a few slides, show an example, and add a quick quiz. That might be enough. But put an equation on a slide, explain the steps, and ask learners to solve a similar problem? Things can go sideways pretty fast.
The learner might remember the formula long enough to pass the quiz, but that doesn’t mean they understand when to use it or how to know if their answer is way off.
That’s why teaching math online takes more than presenting information. You have to help learners see how the numbers work.
But this is where e-learning tools can really help. You can reveal a calculation one step at a time, let learners change a number and see what happens, or put the math inside a realistic decision. Topics like budgets, sales figures, dosage calculations, risk scores, or anything else where getting the number right actually matters.
Here are a few ideas:
- Reveal a calculation one step at a time so learners can work at their own pace.
- Add sliders or number fields so learners can change the variables and see the results.
- Build a scenario around a math-based decision, like adjusting a budget or calculating a dose.
- Ask learners to use a formula instead of simply picking it from a list.
- Use charts, grids, and diagrams to give abstract numbers something learners can see.
The goal isn’t to make math look good on a slide. It’s to help learners work with the numbers, make a few mistakes (that’s part of it), and understand why the math works. And that's what this week's e-learning math challenge is all about!
PhET Interactive Simulations
Interactive simulations for fractions, area, graphing, probability, and more.
Desmos Classroom Activities
Interactive math activities to practice adding whole numbers in the context of card games.
Mass on a Ramp
Interactive calculator for the classic "mass on a ramp" problem in physics.
🏆 Challenge of the Week
This week, your challenge is to create a short e-learning lesson that teaches one or more math concepts.
Not sure what kind of example to build? Try creating something for higher education. Of course, your lesson can be for any age group or skill level. Just pick a math concept and show us how you’d make it easier to understand.
🙌 Share Your E-Learning Work
You put in the effort; now make sure your work gets seen:
- Personal blog: If you have a blog, please write about your example from this week’s challenge and share the link with your submission.
- Social media: Please share your examples on LinkedIn and mention both David & Articulate using the #ElearningChallenge tags so we can help promote your work.
- Support your peers: With the new submission format, you can comment directly on each example. Try leaving helpful feedback on at least three projects this week.
- Community forums: Feel free to cross-post in the forums to give your work even more visibility.
🙌 Last Week’s Challenge:
Before you solve for x, take a quick look back at your notes from last week's frontline and non-profit training examples:
👋 New to the E-Learning Challenges?
The weekly e-learning challenges are ongoing opportunities to learn, share, and build your e-learning portfolios. You can jump into any or all of the previous challenges anytime you want. I’ll update the recap posts to include your demos.
Learn more about the challenges in this Q&A post and why and how to participate in this helpful article.
