About this module
The Covid-19 pandemic increased demand for people who can explain science to a wider audience. The purpose of the module is to focus on how to write a good story about science, as well as choosing sources and developing the most suitable format for narrating the story. Alongside ethical issues are being discussed.
The module focuses on the fundamentals of science writing, including writing science news and feature articles for press and science pages, as well as producing other kind of contents for social media such as podcasts.
This module could be integrated in Science Journalism or Science Communication programs. It can also offer a preliminary introduction to workshops for writing about science.
After attending the module, the students should be able:
- To report and produce news stories about scientific issues
- To know what kind of topics are relevant for science journalism
- To learn how to build up a good feature, based on various sources
- To critically assess the credibility and reliability of sources and data
- To learn how to present science news in different formats
- To be able to clarify and explain scientific information for a general audience
- To understand the various ethical aspects that arise when covering a science story
- To adapt the most appropriate communication means for a given context
- To take a sharper and more alert scrutiny of the world around us
- To develop skills to select digital tools and technologies
Upon completing the module, the student will have developed:
- Information and Data Literacy (DigComp)
- Digital content creation (DigComp)
- Problem solving skills (DigComp)
- Knowledge and critical understanding of language and communication (CDC)
- Knowledge and critical understanding of history, media, economies, environment, and sustainability (CDC)
- Analytical critical thinking skills (CDC)
- Basic technical/digital literacy skills
Downloadable resources (for instructors)
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