SCOM8012 Science Communication and the Web

Offered By	Australian National Centre for the Public Awarenes
Academic Career	Graduate Coursework
Course Subject	Science Communication
Offered in	Autumn Session, 2013, Autumn Session, 2014, and Winter Session, 2014
Unit Value	6 units
Course Description	The internet and social media sit at the heart of the modern communication of scientific information. But are you using the web in the best possible ways to communicate? This intensive course focuses on providing you with the skills and knowledge so you can triumph when using the internet to communicate your science. Topics include writing for the web, using analytics, best social media engagement, video and podcasting, mapping and infographics, Wikipedia and the frontiers of social media.
Learning Outcomes	On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will be able to: 1. Critically analyse the effectiveness of existing science communication on the web in terms of design, audience engagement and goal achievement. 2. Determine the most appropriate modes of web communication of science by analysing the nature of the content, the expected audience(s) and the desired outcomes. 3. In keeping with best practice principles, design and develop an effective science communication web presence using a variety of web tools. 4. Evaluate the successes of their web science communication activities against stated goals and metrics. 5. Provide useful feedback to others regarding web science communication activity.
Indicative Assessment	Assessment will comprise: - Critique of a good web science communicator (5%) - Project pitch (verbal) (5%) - Project pitch (written) (5%) - Peer review of project pitches (10%) - Peer review of web presence (10%) - Web presence report (20%) - Web presence (40%)
Workload	60 hours (40 face to face + 20 hrs online tutorials).
Course Classification(s)	AdvancedAdvanced courses are designed for students having reached 'first degree' level of assumed knowledge, which provide a deep understanding of contemporary issues; or 'second degree' and higher levels of knowledge; or for transition to research training programs.
Areas of Interest	Science Communication
Eligibility	Bachelor degree; general science knowledge.
Academic Contact	Dr Will Grant

The information published on the Study at ANU 2013 website applies to the 2013 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2012 website.