OLET1605: Semester 2, 2021

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Units OLET1605 Semester 2 2021 [Online]

Unit of study_

OLET1605: Communication in STEM

Semester 2, 2021 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

What is STEM? Why is it essential that scientists learn to communicate effectively about Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics to a variety of audiences? What makes for engaging communication about STEM? How does the style of communication need to change for different audiences? What styles, techniques and approaches can be used to greatest effect for each communication activity? What are the nuts and bolts of good STEM communications? This OLE will first introduce you to the fundamentals, definitions and techniques of STEM communication. You will learn that good communication is essential both within the sciences and for our broader society. Complex topics, concepts and issues need to be communicated effectively in order to promote an understanding of science, an appreciation of its strengths and limitations, and to avoid misunderstandings and miscommunications. You will be introduced to various forms of STEM communication appropriate to different audiences. You will outline, develop and present examples of STEM Communication. You will also be asked to critically evaluate and identify examples of effective communication of STEM ideas.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	OLET1605
Academic unit	Physics Academic Operations
Credit points	2
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Alice Motion, alice.motion@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Tom Gordon, tom.gordon@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Leigh Nicholson, leigh.nicholson@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Olivia Mcrae, olivia.mcrae@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Peer evaluation of science communication activity Peer evaluation of other student's STEM Communication	20%	Multiple weeks Due date: 11 Oct 2021 at 23:59	60 minutes ~500 word equivalent
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Science communication activity Creating a piece of STEM Communication in any medium e.g article, podcast	60%	Week 07 Due date: 20 Sep 2021 at 23:59	Max ~1500 words equivalent
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Weekly Quiz Multiple choice questions	10%	Weekly	10-15 Questions
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Weekly Notebook Questions/reflections that scaffold development of major assignment	10%	Weekly	~30 minutes
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Students will complete four types of assessment for this course:

Weekly Quiz (Week 1-4, 10% total)

A multiple choice quiz to test your understanding of the course content and reading in the first four weeks of the course.

My Notebook (Week 1-4, 10% total)

A weekly notebook for you to start planning your STEM Communication Activity and to receive guidance from colleagues teaching the course.

STEM Communication Activity (Due Week 6, 60% total)

You will complete a STEM Communication activity to communicate an area or topic in science, technology, engineering or mathematics to a non-expert audience of your choice. You can communicate this using a medium of your choice (e.g., a podcast, video, article, talk or through a visual medium such as an infographic). Throughout the course your will be guided in your choice of topic, medium and audience.

STEM Communication Activity (Due Week 8, 20% total)

You will complete a peer assessment of another student’s STEM Communication activity.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Notebook activity	Individual study (1 hr)
Week 02	Notebook activity	Individual study (1 hr)
Week 03	Notebook activity	Individual study (1 hr)
Week 04	Notebook activity	Individual study (1 hr)
Week 05	STEM Communication workshop	Online class (2 hr)
Week 06	STEM Communication workshop	Online class (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Unless otherwise indicated, students are expected to attend a minimum of 80% of timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Associate Dean. For some units of study the minimum attendance requirement, as specified in the relevant table of units or the unit of study outline, may be greater than 80%. The Associate Dean may determine that a student has failed a unit of study because of inadequate attendance.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 2 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 40-50 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. identify STEM communication modes, audiences and purposes
LO2. understand the importance of STEM communication, its context and practice
LO3. critique examples of STEM communication
LO4. prepare and deliver an effective, fit for purpose STEM communication activity.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Based on Student feedback: We have adjusted the focus of the workshops. Based on staff feedback: We have updated the quizzes

Additional information

Science student portal

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

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