How to Make Scientific Paper Reading Fun: Journal Club Style Role-Playing to Improve Scientific Literacy and Reading Comprehension Skills in Biology Laboratories

 

Mark A. Sarvary

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2015, Volume 36

Abstract

Scientific literacy and reading comprehension skills are essential for students participating in inquiry-based laboratories. To many students scientific jargon is a foreign language, and instructors have to help students tackle the challenge of understanding their first scientific papers. The application of simple role-playing can help science paper dissection. Students take on three roles (discussion leader, data master and Devil’s advocate) and their performances are assessed in these journal clubs. These paper dissection exercises emphasize teamwork, help students dissect papers in a fun way, and teach them about scientific communication.

Keywords:  collaborative learning, scientific literacy, journal club, paper discussion

University of Oregon (2014)