What do you think are the essential skills a successful H2 physics teacher must have? Is it really sufficient to just know the syllabus in and out with perhaps a degree in physics? Well, the answer to these questions is simple — knowledge is not enough for teaching. You must have the art of delivering your knowledge while making the student curious about the subject. After all, physics is an ever-changing field and demands evidence-based learning with an open mind to accept the most unexpected results. So, how can you instill these skills in your students?
Making students “scientifically literate citizens”
The syllabus of H2 physics states under the aims of this course, “Enable students to become scientifically literate citizens who are well-prepared for the challenges of the 21st century.” Being a teacher, how can you ensure that you achieve this aim? I believe that thinking out of the “graded mindset” can help you with it.
Most students assume that the only important purpose of taking H2 physics tuition is getting a good final grade. Being concerned about your grade is not a bad thing; we all want an appreciable academic record. The problem now is that students are too focused on their grade that they simply overlook the learning behind the course. That is where being a scientifically literate citizen comes into play.
From the very first day of the tuition, try to emphasize to your students that the most important thing is that you learn something new in this class. Learning is not just about memorizing a formula or a fact. It is being able to recall a physics concept, understand the logic behind it, witness it in the world around you, and being curious to research some related applications and ideas. Moreover, it is equally important to appreciate the destructive consequences of misusing physics.
So, part of your H2 physics tuition is to enable your students to see the world with a scientist’s lens and stay updated with the new technological advancements.
Examination Syllabus is here to Guide you — Not to Limit You
As a teacher, you must appreciate that sometimes going beyond the syllabus to help your students comprehend a concept is the best thing you can do. For instance, if you are teaching waves and oscillations, a student may ask you about resonance in sound waves. Sure, you may explain the idea again, but a better way is to demonstrate that concept. Set up an experiment to show how the resonance in sound waves can break a glass (safely, of course)! This practical demonstration is not usual in the H2 physics syllabus, but it will definitely make the subject interesting for your students.
Therefore, if you want your H2 physics tuition to be a great success, take sufficient time to teach the concepts. Make learning fun by proving as many concepts as possible and do not limit yourself with the syllabus.
Knowing Examination Technique is Must!
Even after all the learning outcomes, H2 physics tuition is meant to help one ace the final exam, right? So, this makes examination technique an important part of your curriculum. Make sure that your students have the mastery over the essential mathematical skills and they are using calculators that are allowed in the examination.
Reserve a few classes to go through past papers and understand the type of questions one may expect in the actual exam. In lab experiments, make the students familiar with all variations of apparatus they may come across. Finally, look for any information that needs to be memorized. Do not let your bright students with strong concepts mess up in the final exam just because they did not follow an effective exam technique.
Teaching is an extremely rewarding activity; you will be delighted when your students return to you with exemplary results and better still, an earnest learning attitude.
