Expectations for 12th Grade Physics Coursework

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around expectations for 12th grade physics coursework, particularly regarding the difficulty and structure of the course. Participants explore various educational systems, including AP and IB programs, and share personal experiences related to the teaching quality and workload associated with physics classes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire whether the course is a standard high school physics class or an AP class, suggesting that this distinction may affect expectations.
  • It is noted that the educational system varies by country, with references to differences between North America and Europe.
  • One participant emphasizes the importance of math skills for success in physics, reflecting a shared sentiment among others.
  • Experiences from participants indicate that the quality of teaching significantly impacts the learning experience and difficulty of the course.
  • There is a suggestion that students should expect to dedicate a substantial amount of time (4+ hours a week) to succeed in the course.
  • One participant shares their experience with IB Physics in Alberta, describing it as challenging to maintain a good mark.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the difficulty of the course can vary based on the educational system and the teacher's effectiveness. However, there is no consensus on specific expectations as the discussion includes multiple perspectives on the nature of the coursework.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various programs (AP, IB) and their differing standards, indicating that expectations may depend on specific educational frameworks and regional differences.

Who May Find This Useful

Students entering 12th grade physics, educators seeking insights into student expectations, and parents interested in understanding the challenges of high school physics coursework.

Maroc
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Hey i am going to the 12 grade and i would like to know what should i expect in terms of physics course work and difficulty. Thanks.
 
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Just regular high-school intro physics or AP?
 
Might make a difference which country you're in...
 
True. Is AP similar to Level 1 (i think it is) in Europe?
 
You'll have to tell us if it's standard or AP, or we won't be able to tell you.

One thing's for certain though, regardless: I hope you're good at math/know you can be.
 
There's lots of different programs, AP, IB, etc. and the Standard levels are different to the provincial/state level if you're from North America.

Draven said:
One thing's for certain though, regardless: I hope you're good at math/know you can be.

My friend once said that physics is just plugging the right numbers in the right formula :p
 
True, but still... it helps.
 
i live in Canada, It's a University level high school course
 
Maroc said:
i live in Canada, It's a University level high school course

Physics really depends on the teacher who can teach and explain the theories. I live in Alberta and I just finished IB Physics and I found it very hard to maintain a good mark.
 
  • #10
This sounds pretty similar to an AP class in the states, where it's technically a university level intro course. Like Red_CCF said, it depends on the teacher for things such as homework or how well you absorb what he has to offer you, but you can most likely expect that you'll have to put a good amount of time (4+ hours a week) into it if you want to do well. A little brush-up on your basic physics and math before the course starts (if it hasn't already) definitely wouldn't hurt either!
 
  • #11
mg0stisha said:
This sounds pretty similar to an AP class in the states, where it's technically a university level intro course. Like Red_CCF said, it depends on the teacher for things such as homework or how well you absorb what he has to offer you, but you can most likely expect that you'll have to put a good amount of time (4+ hours a week) into it if you want to do well. A little brush-up on your basic physics and math before the course starts (if it hasn't already) definitely wouldn't hurt either!

okay thank you
 

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