Physics tutors’ perspectives on tutoring before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic: A case study at a comprehensive South African university

Abstract

The research investigates the experience of physics tutors at a comprehensive South African university during online and hybrid learning because of the COVID-19 pandemic. A questionnaire was filled in by 12 tutors from a department of physics. The findings were that the tutors could manage tutoring large numbers of students in the online space and hybrid space. The tutors could manage tutor-to-student ratios of 1:200. More than 50% of the tutors found it difficult to adjust to e-tutoring and the main cause of this was unstable internet connectivity. More students were present for online tutorials than face-to-face tutorials but there was little active participation from students. The major challenge that tutors face with face-to-face tutoring is disruptive behavior from students during the tutorial sessions.