Math is hard to learn from a textbook alone, because the important part is the process — why you move this term, where that minus sign comes from. A good math tutorial video shows that process step by step, in your handwriting and your voice, so students can pause exactly where they get stuck.
You can make one with an Android tablet or even a phone, a writing app and a screen recorder. Here's how to set it up and teach clearly.
Why video works so well for math
- Students see the order of steps. On paper, a finished solution hides the sequence. On video, every line appears in the order you think it.
- They can pause and try. "Pause here and find x" turns a video into practice.
- You explain once. The same problem type comes up every year. Record a clear explanation and reuse it.
- Parents can follow. Methods change over time; a video shows parents the method their child's class uses.
Equipment and app setup
Android tablet (best)
A tablet gives you more room to write and makes handwriting easier to read. A stylus helps a lot, but a cheap capacitive stylus or even a careful finger works for large writing. See our guide to screen recording on an Android tablet for tablet-specific settings.
Phone (works fine)
On a phone, write large and use fewer lines per screen. Scroll or start a new page often. Turn the phone sideways for a wider writing area if your writing app supports it.
A stand
Writing on a tablet lying flat is comfortable, but keep it steady so it doesn't slide while you write.
Set up your writing app
Any whiteboard or note app that lets you write with a pen works. Before recording:
- Pick a plain background. White or light grid paper; avoid busy textures.
- Use a thick pen. Thin lines become hard to read after video compression and on small screens.
- Choose two or three colours. For example, black for working, blue for the final answer, red for common mistakes. Stick to the same colours across videos.
- Prepare the question. Write or paste the problem on the first page before you start, so you don't spend recording time copying it.
- Hide toolbars if the app allows, to give more space to the writing.
Recording a math tutorial video, step by step
- Open your writing app with the problem visible.
- Start Cinematic Recorder with your microphone on. A short countdown gives you time to pick up the stylus.
- Read the problem aloud and say what kind of problem it is: "This is a quadratic equation; we'll solve it by factorising."
- Write one step at a time. Say what you're doing before you write it, then write, then pause.
- Explain the why. "We divide both sides by 3 so x is alone." That one sentence is the real lesson.
- Box or colour the final answer.
- Check the answer by substituting it back. It teaches a good habit.
- Stop or pause with the floating controls before the next problem.
For handwriting, 30fps is generally smooth enough. If your recording stutters while you write, see how to fix laggy screen recording.
Pacing: the most important skill
Most math videos fail because they're too fast, not too slow. The teacher already knows the steps; students don't.
- Pause after every line. Count two seconds silently. Students need time to read and think.
- Don't skip "easy" steps. 2x + 6 = 10 → 2x = 4 is obvious to you; for some students it's where they get lost.
- Say numbers clearly. "Minus three" and "three" sound similar when rushed.
- Invite practice. After one worked example, show a similar problem and say, "Pause and try this one. The answer is next."
Editing: zoom, focus and clean cuts
Math writing often fills the whole screen, which makes it hard to see the current step on a phone. The editor helps here:
- Auto zoom follows where you tap, so the line you're writing can fill more of the frame.
- Focus highlight and spotlight dim the rest of the page so students look at the current step. Read more in focus and spotlight effects.
- Cursor and click effects make each tap visible — see smart cursor.
- Cut mistakes. If you write a wrong number, pause, undo in the writing app, and continue. Then cut the mistake out. Or keep it on purpose and explain the error — that can be a great teaching moment.
All edits are non-destructive, so you can try different zoom levels and go back if something looks wrong.
Organising math videos for students
One problem type per video works best. A video called "Solving linear equations with brackets" is easier to find and rewatch than "Chapter 4, part 2". Group them by chapter and share a simple list. For full-length lessons, see our tips on recording lectures students can rewatch, and for the bigger picture, screen recording for teachers.
| Video type | Typical length | What it shows |
|---|---|---|
| Worked example | 2–5 minutes | One problem solved fully |
| Concept explanation | 5–10 minutes | Why a method works, with a diagram |
| Exam practice | 10–15 minutes | Several past-paper style questions |
FAQ
Do I need an expensive tablet to make math videos?
No. Any Android tablet or phone that can run a writing app and a screen recorder will work. Write large and keep the screen tidy; clarity matters more than the device.
Can I show my face while writing?
Yes. A small front-camera bubble in a corner helps, especially for younger students. Place it where it won't cover your writing.
Should I use typed equations or handwriting?
Handwriting usually works better for solving, because students see the process. Typed slides are fine for definitions and formulas to remember.
Can I record in Bangla?
Yes. Explain in whatever language your students understand best. The app itself is available in Bangla, English, Hindi and Arabic.
Start with the problem type your students ask about most. Record one clear worked example, pause after every line, and share it. You'll likely find yourself sending that link again and again.