Blogging Biology & Podcasting Physics: Authentic Learning via Student Creation of New Media

Abstract

The ALTC-funded ‘New Media for Science’ project explores ways to engage science students in authentic learning — to develop both their content knowledge and graduate attributes — via science communication. Specifically, we are looking at ways for students to create multi-media publications for the web and assessing the effectiveness of such learning activities. This paper offers twenty examples of new media assignments, including blogs, wikis, podcasts and video creation. We describe assignments that students are already completing for university classes in Australia and New Zealand as well as listing similar assignments that may be employed by science lecturers. The attraction of these methods of teaching and learning are addressed, along with reported and perceived difficulties in conducting and assessing new media projects.