Working with a science tutor whilst studying science at school can be a great investment in many ways. Science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) careers are growing at a greater rate than non-STEM careers, according to the US Department of Commerce.
STEM fields are often seen as difficult, and few students are willing to take on the challenge, discouraged by early failures. A good science tutor can help students reach their learning goals in STEM subjects, by supporting them in many important ways.
REGULAR ASSESSMENT OF PROGRESS
In a classroom setting, individual students will often have problems with some concepts, but as teachers are not able to address each individual problem, these students can often get left behind. This becomes a bigger problem as later work is added which builds on earlier concepts.
Working alongside with a 1 to 1 science tutor can help a student speed up their learning development as well as answer specific questions along the way that the student may have. A gap in foundational understanding can undermine students’ entire understanding of a subject, and prevent them from gaining confidence in their own abilities. This often leaves students with a conviction that science is too difficult for them. Working with a private science tutor can help eliminate this problem and enhance their learning experience.
A science tutor can provide 1 to 1 attention to ensure every concept is understood, so students don’t fall behind. Tutors have the time to revise foundational concepts and make sure that the learner’s understanding is solid and can support additional new concepts. Students who can understand the fundamentals also tend to have increased self-confidence, and are more likely to succeed.
RESTATING AND REFRAMING PROBLEM CONCEPTS
A great advantage is that a science tutor can reframe a difficult concept in new ways, particularly if a textbook is unclear, or if the way it is framed at first isn’t easy for the student to grasp. Tutors can be dynamic and adjust to the student’s learning style, tailoring questions and tasks to them specifically. Giving students the bigger picture of the subject and how it relates to other work can also reframe the problem and allow students to approach difficult concepts from different perspectives.
DEMONSTRATIONS AND VISUAL AIDS
With 1 to 1 private tuition, tutors can use various additional learning aids to bring home various concepts. Often, static pictures in a textbook cannot sufficiently demonstrate a concept. A science tutor can actively evaluate concepts a learner is struggling with, and clarify details. Tutors have various tools at their disposal to do this. They can draw additional sketches, use metaphors, and demonstrate concepts with additional materials, such as performing an experiment or finding a video of the experiment.
INTERACTIVE LEARNING
Good tutors can find creative ways of engaging the student with challenging questions and fun tasks, with an arsenal of educational games, projects and problems which engage the student’s interest. This is a very important step, where the tutor can formulate questions that help students apply their knowledge to a new question. A lot of studying involves rote learning, but this approach has problems in the sciences, where students are expected to apply knowledge on problems they have never encountered before.
When working with a science tutor, students can be challenged in new ways, but given guidance and encouragement every step of the way. Tutors can engage learners with follow-up questions, and in-depth discussions which can explore a topic in more detail. Discussions are an important part of the scientific method which can reveal the depth of a student’s understating of a topic, the ability to reason, and to substantiate views using the study material.
REINFORCEMENT AND MOTIVATION
Close interaction will enable tutors to provide positive reinforcement. A good science tutor will reinforce already learned concepts and increase a learner’s self-esteem in that area. Positivity is key, especially to overcome problems that seem intimidating. Good support is often an essential factor which can determine whether a learner comes to like a subject or not, as students often drop out of subjects they don’t like. In retrospect, many students’ dislike of a subject can often be traced back to a bad teacher.
In contrast, someone with passion for a subject can ignite a lasting interest in their students. With the right encouragement, students with a positive experience of a subject will continue to challenge themselves in that area and overcome difficult obstacles through perseverance.
TUTOR EXPERIENCE
A tutor experienced in the academic world of science can be an added benefit. Such science tutors can provide advice on the scientific world, a perspective on scientific fields, and on the practical application of the scientific method. They can give advice on applications, the correct way to write a scientific paper, how to apply for funding, and other essential skills necessary in the academic world.
Many instructors are swamped with teaching the course syllabus and cannot afford the time to teach proper scientific thinking and methodology. With a 1 to 1 session, tutors can take the time to instruct learners about the important steps in formulating experiments, the correct ways to approach questions, and the best methods to finding answers.
CONCLUSION
With the right science tutor, a learner’s foundational understanding can be shored up and supplemented. Students can go on to build a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the field. This understanding is far more important than rote learning and can help students in challenging examinations where questions are reframed in new ways. With a little guidance, students can be catapulted into a bright future of scientific excellence.
By Cornelia W, Private Tutor in London
Interested in working with Cornelia or arranging 1 to 1 home tuition or online tuition with a science tutor? Contact us today to see how we can help.