How to improve your math skills with online courses

By: Susan Maphis, Edited by: Alec Surmani

Last updated: August 1, 2025

It is never a bad time to refine and sharpen your math skills. Whether you excel at math or find it particularly challenging, online courses can offer an excellent way to improve mathematical literacy, deepen your understanding of key concepts, and boost your problem-solving abilities.

Additionally, online courses offer the flexibility to learn at your own pace and may provide access to resources and practice materials, making it easier to stay engaged and motivated.

Six ways to improve your math skills with online courses

Here are six ways to improve your math skills with online courses:

Concept-based learning

Concept-based learning focuses on teaching the reasons behind mathematical concepts. This helps students to better understand the underlying principles of mathematics rather than just memorizing formulas. Concept-based learning utilizes open-ended questions and discussions, visual aids, and applications of mathematical concepts to real-world situations.

For example, an online mathematics course may simplify the concept of probability theory by using everyday scenarios like dice rolls or card games to help students grasp the basic principles before moving on to more advanced calculations and applications.

Learn something new

You can take courses in math topics you may have never studied before or may want to learn more about — for instance, an online course in the fundamentals of financial mathematics, linear algebra, or mathematics for artificial intelligence.

Personalized learning pathways

edX provides personalized learning pathways tailored to each student's needs. This allows you to choose the online mathematics courses you want to take and design your own program of study through different activities. It also enables you to progress at your own pace, working through mathematical concepts at your speed.

Interactive programs

Interactive learning activities and tools in online mathematics courses can help to better clarify mathematical concepts that may be hard to grasp. Using simulations, interactive graphs, and manipulatives, interactive programs allow students to explore and visualize mathematical concepts in a hands-on way, potentially imbuing a deeper understanding.

Game-based learning

Games in online math courses can help to teach mathematical concepts and big ideas in a more accessible manner. Students learn by playing games that incorporate math problems. This enables them to practice and reinforce their understanding of difficult mathematical concepts and ideas in fun, engaging ways, sometimes through competition or challenges in the game. Problem-solving skills can be honed through game-based learning.

Review mistakes

Online math courses on edX make it simple to review mistakes that you have made and learn from them more easily. Most online math courses offer feedback to students when they make mistakes. They may even explain why your answer was wrong and give hints to help you determine the correct answer. In this way, you can keep track of areas in which you need improvement.