I’m watching one of my fellow tutors teach an Maths Advanced session right now, and his use of the whiteboard is brilliant. The problem he’s working on with the student involves integration, and instead of just diving straight into the equations, he starts by writing the question in big, clear writing on the board. He immediately breaks it down into sections, circling the key terms and drawing arrows to show how the different parts connect.
As he explains, he doesn’t just talk; he constantly interacts with the whiteboard. He draws quick sketches, like a rough graph to represent the curve they’re integrating under. It’s not perfect, but it doesn’t need to be. The visual is enough to help the student link the concept to the equation they’re solving.
What I find especially effective is how he pauses to ask the student questions while pointing to the board. He doesn’t give away the answers but nudges them in the right direction. For example, when they get stuck, he underlines a specific part of the problem and asks, “What do you think this tells us about the function?” It’s such a simple question, but it gets the student thinking actively instead of passively listening.
Now, he hands the marker to the student and lets them take over. As they write, he stands back and only steps in to clarify if needed. I notice how he keeps pointing back to earlier steps on the board, constantly reminding them how everything fits together. This approach really builds the student’s confidence, and they’re starting to solve more of the problem on their own.
Watching this makes me realise how powerful a tool the whiteboard is. It’s not just for writing answers but for creating a step-by-step map that makes complex Maths feel so much more manageable. I’m definitely taking notes on this technique for my own sessions!
Daniel Aghmesheh
