The world of equations, x-y coordinate planes and congruent triangles is an intimidating one for many students. To combat the all-too-common math-phobia syndrome, math department head Michael Fenton has instituted a new weapon: online math lab.

As a sophomore in high school, Fenton encountered a similar problem. Although he now teaches classes from algebra honors to AP calculus, he says he struggled like others in the subject. At one point in his high school career, he even recalls crying over his math homework because he did not understand it.

This led to an idea by Fenton to create an online math lab. This math lab is held each Wednesday from 8-9 p.m. and Thursday from 6-7.

“I wanted to have a math lab when people have the most trouble, at night,” Fenton said. “Everybody is busy after school with so many extracurricular activities that it just made sense to me to have one at this time.”

Traditional math lab began Fenton first started teaching at Fresno Christian six years ago. At that time, the lab was an unofficial time after school where students, first Brianna Stobbe, ’06, would come into Fenton’s class and ask him for extra help.

Over the years, this evolved into a regular session given at lunch and after school. The responsibility for these labs are held by Fenton and Jane Gillespie, who teaches Geometry and Math 1.

Online math lab is an extension of the original math lab. Unlike regular math lab, its online counterpart is found at The Vault, From there, students can click on Fenton’s folder and chooses the online math lab tab. From there, one can attend a math lab with Fenton and others from his or her computer, or watch the recorded videos of past online labs.

Logged-on students can type questions directly to Fenton, whose voice and written explanation appear on the screen and through a microphone.

“I think [online math lab] is an awesome idea,” Gillespie said. “All the students are busy with friends and activities. It’s a great idea and opportunity for the children.”

Although only started a couple of weeks ago, online math lab has already received many hits from students of all levels. Precalculus student Melissa O’Leary, ’10, has visited the math lab multiple times and finds the process very helpful.

“The first time I went to one I had a test the next day and really needed some help,” O’Leary said. “I found it really helpful and even though there is a ton of people logged on, you can still receive one-on-one help with Fenton.”

Freshman Jordan Boudreau also sought help from his teacher online, avoiding lunchtime labs so he could hang out with friends.

“At first the whole process was a little confusing,” Boudreau said. “I had to download Java Script and logging on was a little weird, but once you get used to it it becomes really easy to understand and use.”

Colleagues like Gillespie say they were impressed by Fenton’s ingenuity and expressed desires to create there own program similar to his.

“I had no idea something like that was possible until Fenton showed the staff,” Gillespie said. “In the future it’s possible that either me or one of the other math teachers will set something like that up.”

Although the new program is an annex to seven classes and lunchtime and after-school labs for Fenton, he says he seizes all possible opportunities to help students.

“I believe I’ve been given a certain set of skills, which I have not for myself, but to help others,” Fenton said. “Math lab is an extension of that. A structured way to help kids who may be too shy to ask questions in class, or who may just need extra help.”

If interested in online math lab inquire with Fenton, visit his blog or e-mail him.

Conventional math lab is held in Fenton’s room on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school, and Wednesdays and Fridays at lunch. Gillespie holds her own on Mondays and Wednesdays after school, and Tuesdays and Thursdays at lunch.