This article briefly outlines what makes a good Physics and Maths tutor and what students should expect from them as they progress throughout the academic year.
Maths and Physic tutors are constantly in high demand. Whether it be for secondary education or helping with GCSE and A-Level exams.
Having a Strong Knowledge of Concepts
Unlike subjects such as English Literature or History, which are more essay-based and opinionated, Physics and Maths primarily focus on set concepts and formulas. A Physics and Maths tutor should be extremely knowledgeable in scientific concepts. Particularly in mathematical formulas that students may struggle with.
Being able to impart this knowledge in a clear and concise way ensures that the student develops a broad understanding of all relevant concepts, which they can then utilise in their exams.
Being Able to Relate Maths and Science Skills to the Real World
Students often struggle with certain concepts in maths and physics because they are unsure how they can be useful in real life. Certain mathematical formulas can actually have practical applications.
A Physics and Maths tutor should have the ability to explain concepts and ideas in the context of their students’ lives. For example, if a student is interested in piloting an aircraft, a Physics tutor should be able to explain relevant scientific formulae in relation to this hobby.
Being able to understand content in a real-world context is more beneficial to the student as opposed to simply trying to retain knowledge.
Focusing on Specific Problem Questions
Most Physics and Maths exams involve applying knowledge of equations and formulas to solve problem questions. These problem questions can involve the use of many different equations and become increasingly complex.
A Physics and Maths tutor should have the ability to identify the main areas their student is struggling with. It is essential to focus on determining where the student went wrong if their answer to a problem question is incorrect.
Tutoring through problem questions allows the tutor to identify exactly what the student is doing incorrectly. Physics and Maths tutors offer solutions as to how they can avoid making the same mistake in the future. This is especially useful when it comes to exam questions.
Assessing Progress Throughout the Year
Maths and Physics at GCSE and A-Level involves a huge amount of content for students to digest and comprehend. This can leave students overwhelmed and falling behind. Throughout the year, students may feel as if they need to move on from a topic if they do not understand it. This is simply because they do not want to miss out on the following content.
A Physics and Maths tutor is essential in helping students keep on top of weekly content. Weekly sessions, which involve reviewing content in short summaries, can be vital in managing the student’s workload.
Throughout these weekly sessions, the tutor should not only identify areas for improvement but provide regular assessments. These assessments can be in the form of quizzes or problem questions. Ultimately this will test the student’s mastery of the content from that week. Regular assessments also reinforce the knowledge gained that week, which is essential for long term memory retention.
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