GCSE/iGCSE Physics & Triple Science Tutoring from a University Professor (Team's Meeting Online)

Find out more about Dr Edward Wickstead

• When did you develop an interest in your chosen field and in private tutoring?

  I developed a particular interest in neuroscience at the age of 15. Science was always my primary love in school, and my mum introduced me to a brain and anatomy book when I was 16. This just solidified my interest in the subject. In terms of tutoring, I believe one-on-one sessions can really help a student talk about particularly difficult questions that they have come across in class, whereby I can then go into detail and explain it at a speed that is comfortable to them. As with all of my tutorials, I put my students' needs first.

• Tell us more about the subject you teach, the topics you like to discuss with students (and possibly those you like a little less).

  I teach a broad range of subjects, from Biology and Chemistry both at A Level and GSCE, alongside GSCE physics. However, I also teach university students diverse topics such as human physiology, cardiovascular and respiratory anatomy, brain structure and function, infectious diseases, and brain pathology. My broad areas of interest will always be biology and chemistry, with particular interests in animal anatomy and evolution, alongside organic chemistry. My least favourite topics to teach are usually all associated with plants! It is very difficult to pretend to be excited about a topic not many students care for…
  
  I do also offering tutoring sessions for dissertation writing and lab project reports. I am currently in the final year of my PhD, to which I am in the lab Monday to Friday, and am currently writing up my 250 page thesis.

• Did you have any role models; a teacher that inspired you?

  One particular teacher. My old drama teacher, who helped put me on the straight and narrow. I was very disruptive during the first three years of secondary school. He really helped me realise the importance of setting yourself up for success, and for my interests, that was to do well in school.

• What do you think are the qualities required to be a good tutor?

  You need to be accommodating, supportive, and non-judgemental. Being light-hearted and trying to make the dry topics as fun as possible is also a good thing. I wouldn't want my students to dread our tutorial sessions. I think it is important to specifically cater for each student's learning style. You cannot necessarily use the same study materials for all of the students studying the same subject. A tutor needs to be diverse, shake things up, and bring in new challenges to keep students on their toes, to help them learn and progress.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

  Scientists are very suspicious of anecdotes!

• What were the difficulties or challenges you faced or still facing in your subject?

  Teaching plant based topics in biology can be really challenging. Students tend to switch off for a subject that they're just not interested in. Regardless of whether this is in class, or in a private tutoring session. Because of that, I like to incorporate lots of questions and videos into these drier topics, which has definitely had a positive effect on student enjoyment for these areas.

• Do you have a particular passion? Is it teaching in general or an element of the subject or something completely different?

  I think my passion comes from my research. I am currently researching the role of inflammation in Alzheimer's disease. Because the causes of Alzheimer's disease are still up for debate, this means that discoveries we are currently making in the lab could provide new evidence that tackling the immune system may be able to protect people from developing Alzheimer's disease in the future.
  
  The potential to help others is incredibly rewarding. This is the primary reason I also like teaching so much.

• What makes you a Superprof (besides answering this interview questions :-P)?

  I am a young researcher, with lots of experience teaching, both in university and privately for A level and GCSE. I try to keep things exciting, and I am definitely not one to stop a student having fun with these sessions. I like to build trusting relationships with my students, to allow me to support their studies and progression as much as possible.
  
  If a student wants to try a new studying method, I would always be happy to give it a try, to see if that works better for them. I have used many strategies previously, such as past paper practice, creating real-life scenario questions, multiple choice questions, diagram drawings, video creations, powerpoint presentations and more. Whatever the student prefers, that is what I will provide!