There is no doubt that some students do have problems with understanding Physics. This is partly due to nature and the teaching method of the subject and partly the level of seriousness of the students and the commitment to the study of the subject. The Physics taught at high school is often at foundation level, and like building a house, the foundation must be properly set.
Physics teachers at senior high school level must understand the great difference between this subject and general science taught in junior high school classes. The difference being that Physics is a bit abstract and demands deeper understanding of the principles and theories governing various natural phenomena. It is the understanding, interpretation and explanation of the causes of these natural phenomena as well as the development of mathematical equations to conceptualize them that makes physics appear to be a difficult subject. Some students get discouraged when they fail to make headway, hence they drop the subject.
That being the case, it is important that teachers must be committed to making the subject a lively one. How can this be done? There are so much theory, deductions and calculations that get in the way making the subject monotonous and boring. Teachers must think outside the box to make the subject interesting.
First, before teaching any topic, use the introductory lesson to demystify any gadget, equipment or phenomena whose principle, explanation or operation is based on the topic under study.
This will excite any student that may have been wondering how the equipment works. He will now be ready to study and research further as physics is now seen to be real. Take note that this approach does not remove the abstract nature of the subject; rather it simplifies the concept and principles making it easier to understand.
Secondly with the understanding of the principles and theory underlying the topic out of the way, the accompanying definitions, equations and calculations would now be easier to grasp. Whenever confusion sets in, the student refreshes his mind with the earlier explanations and moves on with the study.
Thirdly, the purpose of generating equations and doing calculations become clearer when the principles behind the topic are clearly grasped. Every single step taken in calculations is done with getting the correct result as the target. So it is easy to see that there is really no mystery associated with the study of Physics. It is rather the inability to get it right at the foundation level that creates the apparent lack of understanding by the students.
One direct implication of the above approach is that every Physics teacher must go beyond the textbook to work the student up for success. What I mean here is that you don’t just teach the subject and the usual laboratory practical. You must do something different. Now, this is how I did that.
When I began teaching, I bought books and magazines in practical electronics circuitry and the necessary working tools. These include Multi meters, oscilloscope, soldering iron and the like with wood and metal working tools as well as circuit components. I created an electronics working space in my office within the physics laboratory and a wood workshop outside. While teaching, I made it mandatory to round up my lesson daily by discussing my weekly practical electronics design project with the students. I tell them what I designed, how it worked or failed to work and the next step to take.
There is something about teaching Physics that many people may not know. It is the fact that the abstract nature of the subject sometimes gets the students saturated or bored leading to the setting in of diminishing returns towards the end of the lesson. To prevent this from happening, we end up discussing further application of Physics principles in domestic and industrial equipment which we use daily or we discuss my weekly electronics project signifying that it is not all about theory, there is room for practical work.
Most times it ends up challenging my students to begin their own electronics project which is good. Once a student can think outside the classroom to do something different, the breakthrough in understanding Physics is easily achievable.
Finally from my electronics hobby, I have built an income generating business in the Mechatronics industry with high-quality loudspeakers and acoustics installations as some of the products today. Therefore Physics is not all about teaching, you can challenge your students beyond their limit and as well earn good income from products created as hobby out of your private laboratory for life.
No comments:
Post a Comment