How do I learn algebra without a teacher?

Algebra is often known as the gatekeeper for higher level math courses, but what if you want to learn algebra in an non-traditional way?

Photo by Laura Rivera on Unsplash

It will still be a lot of work, but you can learn algebra without a teacher with some self-directed learning strategies.

In a traditional setting, a teacher has an algebra curriculum and provides you with the materials you need. Since you'll be learning without a teacher, you need to find the right resources that align with algebra standards.

The standards map out all the topics covered in a traditional algebra course. Programs like Khan Academy make it easier to learn all these topics, but you can also use a variety of resources for each topic.

Quadratic equations, for example, is a new topic in algebra that can be tricky for new learners. Websites like mathisfun.com help break down the concepts and give you practice problems to apply your learning.

A tutor is a good option if you don't want a traditional teacher but want to build confidence and get more personalized instruction.

Consider as well if you want to use print resources or electronic resources or a mix of both.

A big part of what a teacher does is determine what you already know and ensure you learn new skills based on your pre-existing knowledge.

Photo by Joshua Hoehne on Unsplash

Since you'll be your own teacher, you'll need to help yourself start at an appropriate place. Take Khan Academy's course challenge as a pre-test to see what you already know and what gaps you have.

As with any new skill, you need to deliberately practice in order to help you improve and really understand what you're trying to learn.Practice includes writing down and solving problems on paper and talking out how to solve an equation aloud.

You can also practice by:

• playing games (math-play.com and hoodamath)

• doing practice problems

• using tools like Desmos or Geogebra

• spacing out your practice sessions and teaching what you learned to a study partner (use tips from this article)

Photo by Firmbee.com on Unsplash

After you've learned a new algebra concept, reflect on what worked well for you and what didn't help you learn.

Reflection questions like these will help you modify your learning process:

• Did you learn effectively from watching videos?

• Did writing problems down on paper give you enough practice?

• Did it help to talk out loud when you were learning new concepts?

• Was it helpful to play online math games?

Teaching yourself can be challenging, so...