NEWS: Masterclass sets teachers on new path

Visiting physics experts share knowledge

AGROUP of Nelson Mandela Bay teachers are giving up their holidays to receive a masterclass in how to conduct their lessons with a completely fresh and innovative approach thanks to a visiting American professor.

The handful of teachers, who opted to forfeit their break, are being rewarded with classes from renowned physics professor David Wolfe at an SA Institute of Physics (IOP) workshop at the PE College Iqhayiya Campus.

Wolfe, 78, emeritus professor of physics at the University of New Mexico and volunteer coordinator for the IOP, together with retired physics lecturers Peter Loyson, from Nelson Mandela University, and Cas Rijsdijk, of the University of Cape Town, have been hard at work delving into the high school physics syllabus.

The inaugural Eastern Cape four-day workshop, which concludes today, is aimed at aiding Bay teachers in conducting their lessons in a confident and more comprehensive manner.

Wolfe said he was thoroughly impressed with the dedication displayed by the eight teachers in attendance. However, he believed the physics syllabus was not up to standard when compared internationally.

“I have been voluntarily teaching in this country for six years through my association with the UK IOP and its affiliation to the SA IOP.

“And throughout that time I have fallen in love with this country and its people.

“I have been teaching physics around the world for more than 40 years. The standard of educators in this country is exceptional, however, the content of the physics syllabus leaves much to be desired,” Wolfe said.

“The aim of this workshop is for the teachers to gain a greater understanding of the subject matter and raise any concerns they may have.

“We delve in depth into the theory and application in the syllabus so that educators are better prepared to answer any questions pupils may have.

“The point is not so much for teachers to know everything about physics but rather for them to be able to find the answers

should they not know them.”

Wolfe said the annual workshops had been conducted over the last four years around the country, including the Western Cape, Limpopo and now the Eastern Cape.

“Usually, we get between 50 to 70 teachers attending the workshop.

“However, this time around it is harder as it is the first of its kind in the Eastern Cape and, secondly, teachers are currently preparing for final exams,” Wolfe said. Linkside High School physics teacher Reinhart van Staden said: “I could not pass up the opportunity to work with these brilliant minds, to learn from them and in turn pass that knowledge to the pupils.

“They have given us interesting options to approaching various problems. It has definitely assisted in my approach to tackling this difficult subject matter.

“Through the use of things like visuals as opposed to just pen and paper, it allows us to explain to pupils through different means which might be better suited to them as individuals within the group.”

The content of the physics syllabus leaves much to be desired