The best way to learn math is to do math. Although you are expected to do your best to complete course assignments yourself, there is a difference between wrestling with a math problem to reach new levels of understanding and struggling to the point of frustration and increased confusion. The Extension School offers the Math Question Center to help you out.
The primary focus of the Math Question Center is to support students in the following Harvard Extension School courses:
- All math classes up through calculus
- Introductory statistics (STAT 100 through 150)
- ECON 10a, ECON 1010, or ECON 1012 (tutoring is just for the math requirements, not economics content)
If you are registered in another Extension School class and you have basic math questions related to your coursework, then you are also invited to use the Math Question Center. Please be aware that tutors can only help you with your math questions.
Hours and Location
The Math Question Center is currently online only. You can access this resource via online services during the following times:
Hours
- Mondays, 6 to 8 pm
- Tuesdays, 7:30 to 9:30 pm
If these times are not convenient for you, it is also possible to set up an alternate appointment time with a tutor. Please see instructions on the Math Question Center Canvas website
Please note that the tutors in the center are not there to do your homework. Their aim is to help you achieve your longer-term goals: a deeper understanding of math and greater self-confidence.
Center Guidelines
Before you use the center, be sure to:
- Carefully read through the problems you are stuck on so that you can pinpoint what it is that may be causing you difficulties.
- Review your class notes, videos, and relevant textbook sections.
- Remember that tutors are able to help you best when you’ve done your best to help yourself first.
To access the center online:
- Connect to the center during the available times by logging into the Math Question Center Canvas website and following the directions posted there, or set up an alternate appointment time.
- To talk with a tutor, you need a microphone and headphones (otherwise you’ll need to type out questions in the text box, which may be inconvenient). You may use your computer’s built-in microphone, but do not use the computer’s speakers to avoid disruptive feedback. Instead, please use a headset (ear buds usually work fine). The best option is a combination USB headphone and microphone, such as this Logitech headset.
Questions?
If you have any comments or questions about the center, contact Andy Engelward, director of the Math for Teaching Graduate Program at Harvard Extension School.
