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Using a social media tool to improve application of academic theory to industry by science students Maeve Scott, Science Lecturer, ITTDublin 1
Using a social media tool to improve application of academic
theory to industry by science students
Maeve Scott, Science Lecturer, ITTDublin
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Introduction
Lecturer
Project supervision
Placement Organiser
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Science Placement Opportunities
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Placement objectives
The main objectives of the placement are that the student;
– Achieves experience relevent to their studies and
– Relates theoretical modules to industry.
– Grasps the diversity of opportunities for a science graduate.
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Problem identified
Experience is limited to one area and a lack of appreciation of the diverse opportunities
open to science graduates
and how modules relate to these roles
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2012 science placements
29 students obtained placements in the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, medical device, clinical reseach, environmental testing industries and research laboratories in Ireland and in the EC
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How the student passes the placement module (pre 2012)
1. A satisfactory performance in work
2. Completion of a written weekly log
3. Completion of a placement report
4. Short presentation by each placement student to acedemic staff and classmates
But it was clear students didn’t listen to each other during presentations
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How the studuent passes the placement module (2012)
1. A satisfactory performance in work
2. Completion of a written weekly log
3. Completion of a placement report
4.Posting to a class placement blog
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Blog objectives
Encourage reflective
practice by linking their
placement to theoretical
modules studied,
Improve understanding of
the pharmaceutical industry and
opportunities to science
undergraduates.
Allow the placement coordinator to
maintain contact with students while on
placement and alerted to any problems,
Improve contact within the class while on placement,
Provide information and motivate future students
when planning their placement,
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Blog Website
• Creating a blog was a bit of challenge
• http://ittscienceplacement.wordpress.com/ Username; ITTSCIENCEPLACEMENT
Password; SIPPITTDUBLIN
• informal, guidelines provided, example posts given, objectives explained and leading questions asked by the blog moderator (me)
• Students were told the posts would not be graded BUT PARTICIPATION WAS COMPULSORY
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Outcome of blog posts Engagement Open, informative,
chatty, in generally lengthy (girls definitely more at ease posting and talked more!)
....students asked each other questions!!
Even more .... Students made reference to the most relevent modules and connected college to work!!
Pleasantly surprised by unaccoustomed
engagement , enthusiasm, relevent
posts, connectivity
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Example post
“Posting, reading and commenting on blogs gave me the opportunity to update the progress of my placement, learn about the works by other students and gain knowledge on various topics such as instrument/equipment used, QC tests and ongoing research in Nano technology. This gave me an insight to the wide available range of job opportunities that I can apply for after graduation. I found the validation role taken by another student to be very interesting and would definitely like to work as a team member of a process validation team in future. “
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Example post
“From reading the blogs of other students I can see how much they have learned working in industry this semester and about the many different job options available in industry after graduation. Over the past few months I have found many of the modules we studied in college extremely helpful. In particular microbiology, biochemistry, aseptic processing and protein technology have been the most relevant to my work here”
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Were blog objectives met?
Encourage reflective practice by linking their
placement to theoretical modules studied,
Improve understanding of the pharmaceutical
industry and opportunities to science
undergraduates.
Allow the placement coordinator to maintain contact with students
while on placement and alerted to any problems,
Improve contact within the class while on
placement,
Provide information and motivate future
students when planning their placement,
Yes, some
evidence
Maybe, questions
seemed to indicate
yes
Partly
Students
reported yes
No evidence of
this yet 14
Conclusion
• Pertinant questions posted by moderator is critical
• Informal, ungraded deliverable is critical
• Blog was more sucessful than previous deliverables getting students to connect acedmic modules with industrial applications
• There is room for improvement in the blog moderation and design in 2013
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The End
Thank you,
I am happy to answer questions, hopefully none too technicial
about creating blogs
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