Physics Tutors -- Do they help?

<p>I had a thread about this a while ago. HS son (who is a 4.0) is really, really struggling in his AP Calc/Physics class. The problem is the Physics vs. the Calc. When I wrote about the situation last he was at a B- moving into the C range. Now he's at a C- moving into the D range. It's possible that he may even fail the class.</p>

<p>Since this teacher is not connecting with him at all, we are attempting to hire a tutor from the local college. If this doesn't work we may have to pull him out at semester.</p>

<p>Does anyone here have any experience with Physics tutoring and weather it helps kids who are really struggling? Also are there any instructional web sites out there that are good?</p>

<p>My son (tutors physics, calculus, chemistry, biology, computer science, logic design) says that most of the students asking for physics help have problems with algebra and/or precalc. If there are problems there, then the student can have trouble understanding the math part of physics which can make it hard to understand the physics. Algebra problems will hurt a lot on quizzes and tests too.</p>

<p>One other major thing about physics is that it moves very fast and that things build on prior things. Does he have problems with unit conversions? Physics classes usually start out with units of measurement and unit conversions and if he has trouble with that, then he will have problems throughout the course. You could go over some problems with him to see whether or not he gets it.</p>

<p>Is this a one-semester or two-semester course? My son has told me that the physics professors usually state that if you are taking calc and physics concurrently and struggling in physics, then drop physics and focus on calc. In a one-semester course, we’d be past mid-terms by now and recovery could be difficult.</p>

<p>The thing to determine whether or not a tutor would be helpful is what the problems are. If they are foundational problems, then a tutor would have to go back and cover those things and there may not be enough time for that. If they are relatively small issues resulting in a lot of points lost on quizzes and tests, then a tutor may be able to help with those. A tutor can help with small, conceptual issues.</p>

<p>My son provides help to a wide variety of students with various problems; the easiest type to help are students that are on the ball and have the background required but don’t understand a concept or a process or where the professor and/or textbook didn’t do a good job of presenting the material.</p>

<p>If you find the right tutor, YES, it can do wonders. My student tried 3 different tutors, one and two were supposedly “genius” PhDs but were simply not able to teach the material. Then we were recommended a woman who had retired from the corporate world, and she turned out to be amazing, and a fear of Physics turned into a love for it!!!</p>

<p>It was expensive but so worth it. We started with 2 hours for 2 Sundays, just to catch up, and then switched down to 1 hour every Sunday.</p>

<p>“Since this teacher is not connecting with him at all …”</p>

<p>I believe you’ve answered your own question.</p>

<p>Cbug- I have always seen this site mentioned.</p>

<p>[Khan</a> Academy](<a href=“http://www.khanacademy.org/]Khan”>http://www.khanacademy.org/)</p>

<p>^^ NewHope – So are you saying we should pull him from the class at semester?</p>

<p>Yes it helps. My son struggles with all math and sciences. Last year we hired a tutor to help him with Chemistry and Algebra 2. This year he’s helping him with Physics and Geometry. Next year I’m sure we’ll have him do Pre Calc. Now my son is not taking any AP or Honors level math or science - he is however in AP US History and AP Lang this year and doing great. He’s just very lopsided that way. He really needs one on one help with these subjects. He’ll never be an A student in math or science but with a tutor can get B’s and C’s as opposed to D’s and F’s.</p>

<p>^^ No, I don’t recommend pulling him from a teacher who doesn’t connect with him. He’ll encounter many frustrating obstacles in his life. Better to hire a tutor IMHO, since it’s basically a one-course issue.</p>

<p>I do understand the temptation to yank the kid. It’s basically what DW and I did with two of our D’s … we pulled them from a punitive public HS and enrolled them in a private. No regrets. But once there we encouraged each to work through their difficulties. I’m sure it impacted their overall GPA a bit. But don’t all life lessons come with a cost?</p>

<p>I think a good tutor can help. My D is currently struggling in physics. She’s has a B- but it has fluctuated. She started with a tutor, and he has definitely helped her grade stay in the B range. She still has to work hard, but I think it’s good for her. My D is a senior and this will be her first B. I think she will benefit from sticking with it. Getting the tutor as soon as possible will hopeful help your son pass the class.</p>