From understanding the world around us to the new technology and advancements of science, physics knowledge is very important for all. It is a branch of science that deals with the study of energies, matter, time, space, the motion of the bodies, etc. It is a very interesting subject when learned with focus and regular practice.
But many students find this subject complicated to study and run away from it. It can be a little challenging for physics teachers to manage students’ interest in the physics classroom, especially when teaching online. Other than the usual and traditional way of teaching physics, let us discuss some techniques that can be beneficial for how to teach online physics effectively to the students.
Physics Teaching: Tips for Teachers
1. Use technology
Physics is an applicative subject. To understand the applications better, technical teaching aids are best to use. Textbook learning is helpful but not enough for effective teaching and learning of physics. For many students, physics is a complicated subject, and textbook readings make it more difficult for the students. The graphs, equations, derivations, diagrams, and theories can become more interesting and engaging for the students by using multimedia tools. Let us discuss some of these tools
- Educational videos – teaching with the help of these videos help you to explain better. On YouTube and many online teaching sites, physics lessons are available. Understanding and comprehension become better with the help of audiovisuals.
- Educational apps- teachers can use several online apps to make physics classes interesting for the students. With these apps, making online quizzes, accessing modules and interesting worksheets can be achieved.
- Other than this, using picture cards, graphics, animations, and making PowerPoint presentations will help teachers how to teach online
2. Emphasize learning basics
If the basics are not clear, understanding the present topics of the syllabus becomes difficult for the students. Helping students master the basic knowledge about physics should be practiced by all the teachers. Directly explaining complex topics without checking the basic understanding of the students is a wrong teaching practice. Revising basics in the class as well emphasizing self-learning of main concepts must be practiced by all the teachers. Many formulae are used on a repetitive basis. Learning them properly is important for the students. For example, force, momentum, work, kinetic energy, motion, period, frequency, etc are a few such topics. In this regard, teachers can do the following
- Before starting any complex physics topics, ensure the revision of the basics that will be involved.
- Ask students if they have doubts about the previously taught topics. Doubt resolving will help students to be clear with the basics.
- give home assignments to the students, so that they can practice physics basic questions as much as possible.
3. Encourage note-making
Asking students to make notes in the classes as well as while self-studying can help in teaching physics effectively. The physics notes help students in numerous ways. They help to understand better, notes can also be used as a resource for exam preparation. To ensure this practice teachers can do the following:
- Dictate the main definition, formulae, and derivations to ensure that everybody is writing at least something. Also, by writing down the main topics, students focus and learn them better.
- When dictating in the class is not possible, teachers can make students mark or underline the important lines and later write them in their respective notebooks.
- From time to time check the physics notes of the students chapter-wise. This will ensure that all are actively involved in regular learning and writing.
4. Interact with al
Giving attention to all the students and interacting with every student can help teachers to teach physics effectively. Some students are active class participants while some prefer staying quiet. Along with maintaining interaction with more vocal students, talking with everyone is important.
- Turn by turn, ask students to read by calling out their names. This will help with better student-teacher interactions.
- Ask everyone, whether they are facing any difficulty in understanding. Open-ended questions can also be encouraged in between the synchronous and hybrid online courses.
5. Take student feedback
Asking students about how effectively they are understanding and what more they want from teachers can be helpful. Seeking feedback from students about physics teaching patterns can be practiced by the teachers.
- Ask every student how well they understand the classes.
- Be friendly with the students so that they can share their feedback honestly, without the fear of being judged or scolded.
Conclusion
Physics is a discipline taught in science academic subjects. To achieve high academic performance and future jobs, learning physics is equally important as compared to other subjects. Teachers can play a very important role in developing students’ interest in this subject. All the above-mentioned tips can be adopted and practiced by teachers to make physics interesting and effective for the students.
