what is your favorite course to teach, and why? as a physics teacher

by Willis Littel MD 9 min read

What makes a good physics teacher?

All the excellent physics teachers are great communicators who draw the attention of their students without fail. Why, because they are witty, humorous and confident when they teach physics. Take Professor Walter Lewin, for example, whose videos have received more than 50 million views on YouTube, collectively.

What does it mean to teach physics to students?

It involves building student confidence in their ability to solve challenging problems, and empowering them to build a better future for themselves and others. Teaching physics well requires creativity, thought and an understanding not only of physics but of psychology, cognition and communication.

What degree do you need to teach physics in high school?

A bachelor’s degree in physics, chemistry or another science qualifies you to teach physics in most U.S. high schools. A bachelor’s degree in physics may give you an edge since many schools prefer a teacher with a degree in the subject.

Is physics education a good career for You?

Students who are good at math and science are regularly encouraged to pursue careers in science and engineering. But what about careers in science education, particularly physics education? Teaching high school physics can very rewarding, with lots of excitement and creative problem solving.

Why do you choose this course as a teacher?

The best answers to this question are positive, displaying a passion for teaching and a love of being in the classroom. You should also try to use your answer as an opportunity to show that you have the qualifications outlined in the job listing.

What makes a good physics teacher?

A good physics teacher is someone who realizes that among the most valued and significant roles of a science teacher is to help a student understand a body of information and the processes of scientific investigation.

What do physics teachers teach?

Physics teachers help their students explore the complex interplay of mass, energy and gravity. Calculus and other forms of higher math are integral to understanding the principles of physics, which makes it one of the toughest disciplines to learn.

What is the best way to teach physics?

Ten Tips for Teaching Physics to an Uninspired ClassHave Confidence in Your Students' Abilities. ... Expressing Said Confidence to Students. ... Allowing More Initiative. ... Memorisation. ... Enjoyability of Learning. ... Set Reasonable Homework. ... Engaging One-On-One. ... Staying in Touch With Parents.More items...•

Why do we teach physics?

Physics helps you to understand the world around you, and satisfy your curiosity. Studying physics develops your critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Physicists are versatile, which opens a wide range of future careers.

What does the physics teacher help students do?

Physics teachers are responsible for educating students on the laws of matter and energy. Physics teachers must prepare lesson plans, assign homework, and create and grade exams to test students on the information they have learned.

What skills do you need to be a physics teacher?

The key competencies of physics teachers consist of physics literacy, education and teaching literacy, scientific literacy, humanistic literacy, information literacy, and life-long learning ability.

What is it like to be a physics teacher?

Physics teachers enjoy being around people. They like working with others and are often consumed with a desire to share their love of science. They often long to make a lasting impact on students and the world around them.

What is physics teaching?

Teaching physics involves more than writing formulas on a chalkboard. It involves helping students to see the world in a new way. It involves crafting a learning environment where students are able to explore and understand how the physical world works, and to connect complex scientific concepts to their daily lives.

What are the methods of teaching physics?

Teaching strategiesLecture: Lecturing is the one of the more traditional ways of teaching science. ... Recitation: Also known as the Socratic method. ... Demonstration: In this method, the teacher performs certain experiments, which students observe and ask questions about.More items...

What does a physics teacher need to know be able to do and care about to be a good teacher?

The prospective teacher must have a thorough understanding of physics as well as mathematics, chemistry, biology, and Earth and space science. Physics teachers must have a comprehensive understanding of physics at the introductory level including both content and process.

Is a physics degree a disadvantage for ITT?

If you have a degree in physics or engineering or another physics-rich subject but have been busy elsewhere since you graduated, this is not necessarily a disadvantage when applying for ITT.

Is math a classroom subject?

As maths is a classroom-based subject, you will not encounter this in depth during your ITT. Imagine yourself in a room of fractious teenagers. As a maths teacher you’re in a classroom with a white board as your main tool. As a physics teacher you’re in a laboratory with a white board and a wide range of gadgets and experiments you can engage your ...

Can you teach chemistry at A level?

At A-level you’re unlikely to teach chemistry or biology. Schools are more likely to have specialist teachers in these subjects than in physics so your time will be dedicated to teaching physics. You can now also train to teach physics with maths through university-led and school-led training.

Is physics related to mathematics?

As physics and mathematics are closely related, a physicist or engineer is likely to have a strong mathematical background. Fortunately you can now opt for a physics and maths training course offered by a selection of school and university training providers across England.

IOP Teacher Training Scholarships

As an IOP Teacher Training Scholar, you'll receive tax-free funding and be part of a like-mind community with access to masterclasses, physics teacher training workshops and support.

University-led teacher training

You can choose to study at university to gain your QTS as well as a Postgraduate Certificate in Education / Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).

School-led teacher training

School-led teacher training is delivered by school partnerships and enables you to train on the job.

Subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) courses

Do you have some physics knowledge but feel is needs improving before starting your teacher training? Or would you like to change career and have a degree in a different background such as engineering? If so, taking an SKE course could be just what you need.

Engineers into teaching physics

As someone with a background in engineering you’re in a unique position to share your practical perspective to teach and inspire the next generation of engineers and physicists. Find out how you can make the change to teaching and what funding is available to you.

Physics teacher training FAQs

Find answers to questions we're often asked about becoming a physics teacher.

Waiting to start your teacher training

We’ve outlined below some activities you may like to do before starting your teacher training, if you have the time. These suggestions are based on information training providers give to prospective students.

What do physics teachers do in high school?

Income projections. Pros and cons of being a high school physics teacher. What high school physics teachers do. Physics teachers instruct students in how to analyze and understand the properties and behavior of matter, motion and energy.

What degree do you need to teach physics?

A bachelor’s degree in physics, chemistry or another science qualifies you to teach physics in most U.S. high schools. A bachelor’s degree in physics may give you an edge since many schools prefer a teacher with a degree in the subject. You’ll also need to earn a teaching credential.

What do physics professors do?

Physics professors at four-year colleges and universities. Physics professors teach physics at four-year colleges and universities. In addition to teaching, they conduct research and publish academic papers and books. Continue reading to learn more about university-level physics professors. What physics professors do.

How much do physics professors make?

According to the BLS, the median annual salary for a physics professor is $93,950. Here are more annual salary estimates for college/university physics instructors: Glassdoor.com: $50,710.

What degree do you need to become a physics instructor?

Educational and certification requirements. Community college physics instructors are required to have a master’s degree, usually in physics or a similar field. You may also need a doctorate to get a full-time job at a community college, because it can be very competitive to earn a position. Income projections.

What are the responsibilities of a physics professor?

Here’s a closer look at a physics professor’s three main responsibilities: research, teaching and faculty support. Research. Physics professors perform experiments and complete research projects to answer probing questions about the nature of the universe. A physics professor’s research duties will probably include:

How long does a physics teacher work?

High school physics teachers hold classes on a daily schedule for nine or 10 months out of the year. They may also work with students one-on-one or in smaller groups outside of class time.

About Those Top Ten Reasons

Here is a deeper look into those top 10 reasons why you should take physics.

Ordering "Why Take Physics?" Classroom Poster

The "Why Take Physics?" and all other APS posters can be ordered from our online store. APS Physics Online Store

Poster Development and Credits

The "Why Take Physics?" poster was developed by a team of staff members from APS and AAPT.

What are the qualities of a good physics teacher?

All the excellent physics teachers are great communicators who draw the attention of their students without fail. Why, because they are witty, humorous and confident when they teach physics. Take Professor Walter Lewin, for example, whose videos have received more ...

Why do bad physics teachers beat around the bush?

A bad physics teacher will often beat around the bush in order to hide the fact that he/she does not know. On the other hand, all the good physics teachers accept that they don't know and/or that they're wrong, and moreover, they want to continue to learn.

When was Concepts of Physics published?

Ten years later, in 1992 , a new book by the name, 'concepts of physics' was published and it became an instant favorite in India. To this day, the book is being used by many science and engineering aspirants. Professor Verma became and burned like candle, illuminating the darkened lives of incurious physics students.

Why did Verma find that students were uninterested in physics?

He found that the students were uninterested in physics because it was too difficult. Also, there weren't any textbooks available in the Indian market which were even remotely relatable. Thus, a young Professor Verma set about to solve the problem of his students.