Robert

I'm an award-winning Australian mathematics lecturer with 10+ years experience lecturing, tutoring, teaching maths at GSCE, A-level and university level.

I've been out of the private tuition game for 8 years, but have just moved to Oxford and am keen to start again. Currently, I'm only able to teach from my home (or online) and have a limited number of places due to my other commitments.

Some comments from students in my university lectures over the past 10 years:

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"Rob is an absolutely fantastic lecturer! He made all lectures really engaging and had fun with all students along the way, he obviously loves what he does. He has a good way of making sure everyone can understand what he's telling and his uploaded lecture notes are absolutely beautiful and easy to follow along with at home."

"Robert is fantastic! Has so much patience and is approachable and friendly. Can't thank you enough, Robert! Give praise where praise is due, and it is very very due! THANK YOU :)"

"I have to say Robert is the best lecturer I've ever had! For mathematics if you don't understand something he will do his best to put you straight. He is incredibly helpful and without him I surely would not be in the position I am now going into the exam."

"Robert is one of the best lecturers I have ever had, he make maths as fun and interesting as is humanly possible, and he does a superb job taking the Maths Learning Support Session. He is extremely knowledgable about everything maths, and is thus a veritable goldmine of information. If only there more lecturers like Robert!"

"Rob is such a good teacher. He has a sixth sense for knowing when a student is missing the idea which allows him to take a step back and approach from a different direction. Being able to explain an idea in multiple ways shows a deep knowledge of his subject and well developed sense of empathy. More tutors should have his ability to connect with their students."

"Robert is the best lecturer I have ever had at university level. He really shows a passion for teaching and maths. He is always helpful answering any questions in lectures and tutorials and puts a lot of effort into responding to students emails. When I'm at home and I get stuck on a question, I'll email Robert a picture of my working and he always responds promptly showing me where I've gone and gives me a full explanation on how to do the question and why. He also makes the lectures interesting with his stories and maths jokes and really tries to make maths exciting for us. He is brilliant at what he does and I hope I get a chance to have Robert as a lecturer again."

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Tutoring Experience

I very much fell into teaching mathematics by accident. I started as a private tutor for (the Australian equivalent of) GSCE and A-level while studying my mathematics degree in 2004-2007, and was asked by the university to help teach some undergraduate tutorials in my final two years.

I then travelled to the UK (with a rock band) in 2008-2009, and worked as a Key Stage 4 and GCSE maths teacher in an online school, mixed in with a little private tuition.

After returning to Australia, I was again asked by my university to come back and lecture some first-year maths modules, which I did for another 8 years, eventually becoming module leader for these modules and resulting in the comments above. This was the time when I realised that my future was in mathematics education, as the student comments were overwhelmingly positive and the university kept asking me back. I was also awarded some teaching awards.

Some of this time was also spent in learning support, running drop-in sessions and workshops for all students across the university seeking help with maths, at any level.

Having recently returned to the UK in 2017, I have been working in a couple of London universities, lecturing, and being involved with more learning support.

Tutoring Approach

I believe that every student is an individual and prefers to learn a different way. My previous work in university learning support centres for mathematics has allowed me to help thousands of students across a wide variety of levels and has given me the experience to quickly figure out what makes a student tick.

I'm very much into producing animations to aid in explaining mathematical concepts, especially for those who prefer to learn visually. It's all about finding what works best for the student, and it's amazing how often a little animation or demonstration allows for that light-bulb moment.

I can also record my sessions (video and audio) and upload this for you to watch back at a later date. This is an invaluable way to relive and reinforce the work that we do in a session.