If you or your child is in high school or secondary school, they have probably contemplated whether or not to take an applied math course. In recent years, applied math courses have understandably gotten a negative reputation. There are many good reasons for this: in many cases, students are placed there without knowing that it can impact their postsecondary pathways. In some provinces, like Ontario, applied courses have been removed in grade 9 to ensure that all students have equitable access to post secondary education after high school.
Despite all the bad press that applied courses have gotten, they can serve a positive purpose in your or your child’s secondary education. Why? Applied courses are great if you are looking to fulfil a requirement for your high school diploma in a subject you aren’t fond of. Let’s face it, we all enjoy some subjects more than others. This can be especially true in the case of math, where we might see its importance in our lives without necessarily pursuing a career in which we need to apply math at an advanced level.
Choosing the right pathways in secondary school is important to your future. Make sure you understand the differences between academic and applied math.
If you can pursue your future goals without academic math, applied math courses are a great option where students can learn the essential, practical parts of the subject that are relevant to everyday life. You won't fret over logarithms, vectors, and functions, and you can feel confident that you will learn useful math that makes sense. Students that have had a hard time accessing the math curriculum in elementary school will likely find an applied program suitable for their needs. And if you want to switch to an academic course, the options and supports will be there - as long as you advocate for yourself and your needs.
This article will take a closer look at the benefits of applied math and how it can be useful to some students. Let’s take a closer look at what the applied designation actually means, and discover the situations in which applied math courses might be a good choice.
What's the Difference Between Applied and Academic Math?
Applied math might be best defined in comparison to academic math. Academic math classes focus on math at a theoretical and abstract level, preparing students for postsecondary courses in which math will be applied. This includes university courses like Engineering, Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, Business, and of course, Mathematics itself. Choosing academic math courses and taking grade 12 math courses like Calculus will prepare you to apply for such university programs. If you are certain university programs in math-related areas are in your future, you will want to choose your grade 10 math and math grade 11 courses with an academic trajectory.
In contrast, applied math focuses on math in a very practical, hands-on context. The focus of applied math courses is to give students a foundation from which they can use math in the workplace and for personal purposes. You don’t need academic math to learn how to budget for a household, calculate a mortgage or car payments, or do basic calculations for an organization.
Applied math will use plenty of real-world examples, and will give you the numeracy essentials. Topics like data management, trigonometry, geometry and even algebra are taught in a way that is accessible. You will still have a lot of work to do: but you won’t need to stress over complex topics or getting a competitive grade for university applications.
There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing your math courses in secondary school. Pick the right pathway to keep your options open in the future.
How do I Know if Applied Math is Right for Me?
The best way to know if applied math is right for you is to start with your long term academic and career goals and determine what kind of classes you will need to access them. This can be tough for a lot of teens as adulthood seems so far away, but if you have a sense of what you want to do you can determine whether or not applied math is actually an option.
If you simply need a math credit to get your high school diploma and know that your future pathway will not require mathematics at an academic level, applied math can be a great option. You can mix applied math with academic courses in other subjects - a strategy that will still keep plenty of university pathways open - or take all applied courses.
Not sure what to take? When you or your child is in a predicament over which one to choose, there are a number of things you can do to support your decision making. Start by talking to your school’s guidance counselor. They can look at your grades from previous years, and determine which course you will be the most successful in. You don’t want to take courses that you cannot access; rather, you will want courses that challenge you and address the sweet spot of learning where it’s neither too hard nor too easy.
There are also options for students that want to take academic courses but probably should start in applied math to build a stronger foundation of math knowledge. Some schools may offer transition courses, and if you have already graduated, some colleges offer academic upgrading courses as an option. You can always take courses again or in night or online school - while this takes some extra effort and possibly even some financial investment, it does give options for those who really want to get into a postsecondary program and need academic stream math courses.
Are Online Math Courses Worth it?
Online math courses from privately run, virtual high schools have become a popular option for a lot of students trying to get credits or academic course upgrades. While they may lack the social and collaborative element of an in-person math class, they can be worth it if you are trying to fast track your high school career or prefer the virtual format.
Math classes online are usually available in applied or academic formats for students. They offer a level of flexibility that you cannot get from in-person classes, and will connect you with an instructor who can assess your work. The curriculum will be challenging, and you will have to be self-motivated to be successful, but if those elements are in place online courses can be a great option.
Academic math has its pros and cons. Choosing academic math can lead to so many postsecondary programs and careers.
Is it Worth it to Get a Math Degree?
Getting a math degree or a math related degree is often a good reason to avoid applied courses and focus on academic. Indeed, a math degree can be worth it if you are passionate about the subject and enjoy problem solving, applying logic, making calculations, or simply really love math.
If you don’t feel this way about math, remember that there are plenty of amazing options in the workforce, college, or university that do not require you to study math at a theoretical and abstract level. Degrees in the arts, literature, languages, design, education, law, and entrepreneurship will not require you to be an academic math student. Applied is more than sufficient, far less stressful, and will not foreclose the options that you want.
Non math degree jobs and careers include:
- Early Childhood Educator
- Arts Educator
- Police Officer
- Lawyer
- Administration
- Fashion
- Retail
- Entrepreneurship
- Technology
- Creative Arts
- Tourism
- Hospitality
- Scholar
- Learning and Development
Will I Need a Math Helper or Tutor?
Any math course, whether applied or academic, can be challenging. For this reason, it is important to get a math tutor. Sites like Superprof.ca will give you access to some of the best math tutors in your region and the country.
A math tutor will work with your needs as a student and identify where you need the most help. They will give you valuable one-on-one instruction that is sorely missing in most school environments. They can help prepare you for exams, tests, quizzes, and assessments. With a tutor, you can receive targeted advice and feedback on your problem solving.
Students that struggle in math may have foundational gaps in their learning that started at a young age and persisted. A math tutor can take the time to close those gaps through remediation and practice, re-teaching the math skills and knowledge you require to be successful in high school math. This can be especially useful if you are an applied math student that wants to ensure they get the credit they need to graduate, or even want to upgrade at some point to the academic level.
There’s a lot you should know about academic and applied math classes before choosing your courses in high school. Make an informed choice about the math classes you take!
Superprof offers an amazing platform for students and their families to find the best tutor for them. The site enables you to compare different tutors and their strengths, their knowledge of the curriculum of your province, and cost so you can find something affordable.
If you or your child are busy with sports and extracurriculars, a tutor can meet you at a convenient time online or in-person. They can tailor a program that suits the needs of your program, working with you simply for a semester or quadmester, and increasing sessions during assessment time.
Why take risks with your math education? Find an applied math tutor on Superprof today!
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