NEWS: Physics made easy, just a click away

IF you are sitting for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) this year
and have found yourself in a bit of a spot where physics is concerned,
you may want to get some help from SPM Physics (http://www. Physics4spm.com).
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Ahmad Rifaei says his blog is his contribution towards nation building.
Ahmad Rifaei says his blog is his contribution towards nation building.

Established by Ahmad Rifaei Abdul Rahim in February, this blog-cumeducation Web portal helps students to understand the subject better using multimedia-aided tools. It offers students an online discussion area, note sharing, question-andanswer sessions and more.

“Students can have real-time two-way communication with me through the chatbox, e-mail or other messenger tools. My blog also contains animation video about physics stuff. Some physics terms are easier to explain using video and animation,” said Ahmad Rifaei, a physics tutor based in Setiawangsa, Kuala Lumpur.

“Students can share and download e-notes and past trial papers. I will provide links to resources on physics and other subjects soon. I also plan Philips on track to meet green targets Biodata Since his appointment as Philips Sustainability Board’s chairman last year, Rudy Provoost, who is also Philips Lighting’s chief executive, has been busy making sure that his company meets its target in the sustainability and “green” initiative areas.

Izwan Ismail met up with him in New York recently.

to set up a forum page as it would be easier to have group discussions that way.” The 32-year-old tutor is actually a trained quality engineer.

“My interest in teaching started when I taught part-time about 13 years ago. I did my further studies in electronics engineering in the UK. After graduation, I worked in the electronics manufacturing sector as a quality engineer.

“Although I had a stable, permanent job then, I still taught part-time at night. Teaching gives me satisfaction which money cannot buy,” he said.

Due to the economic uncertainties in the electronics industry, Ahmad Rifaei was offered voluntary separation scheme twice from two employers – the first time in 2000, then in 2004.

“I realised that working for others would not guarantee my financial future, and since teaching had been my passion, I decided to concentrate on being a professional freelance tutor. That decision managed to provide me with a regular income,” he said.

“And here I am now, doing something different as a full-time blogger, and expanding my teaching method through blogs and other tools on the Internet.” To date, SPM Physics has drawn over 4,000 visitors monthly.

“I am quite surprised with the response since the blog is relatively new. I log in every two days to answer questions through e-mail or the chatroom,” Ahmad Rifaei said.

“Most of the visitors found my blog through search engines. This shows Malaysian students are Internet savvy. I’ll be busy attending to questions over the next few months.” He added that some of his visitors had been teachers.

“With the teaching of science and mathematics in English, many students are having problems with physics. In school, they are too shy to ask. Instead, they use my blog to ask in detail certain topics. Some of them e-mailed me to ask about physics terms.

“You can say this blog is my contribution towards nation building. Physics is the backbone of engineering. Perhaps my blog can ignite some interest in students to take up engineering courses after completing school.” Since he started the blog, Ahmad Rifaei not only has interacted with Malaysian students, but also students from around the world.

“Maybe one day I can set up a one-stop virtual physics class for SPM and A-levels,” he said.