A New School Year

As a new school year opens it is timely to start a conversation on the fundamentals for successful learning in physics and mathematics. Many students say "I do not understand physics" or "I cannot do maths". What can be done to remedy this? The solution is to go back to basics and pursue steady step by step practice in each subject with regular testing. If a test reveals that a physics concept is not understood or a mathematical technique is not correctly applied then we zoom in on this area and practice it again until it is mastered. Learning involves dialogue between teacher and student with encouragement to aspire to new levels. This is the heart of education. The tutorial method had its origins with Socrates in ancient Greece and is followed today at the best universities in the world. The journey to academic success comes when students embark on a regular program of study and revision and the best time to start the journey is now.