Didactics of Information Technology (IT) in a Science Degree: Conceptual Issues and Practical Application

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Miliszewska, Iwona, Venables, Anne and Tan, Grace (2010) Didactics of Information Technology (IT) in a Science Degree: Conceptual Issues and Practical Application. Journal of Information Technology Education: Innovations in Practice, 9. pp. 79-89. ISSN 2165-3151 (print) 2165-316X (online)

Abstract

Information technology has been transforming various disciplines of life sciences and physical sciences as a tool (for “doing” science) and a technique (for conducting experiments and creating models). This evolution in the application of IT in science demands that science students be equipped with appropriate IT skills and that the development of these skills should begin as early as possible in the program of their science studies. This article reflects on an enabling IT unit designed to develop IT skills among first-year students in a Specialist Science Degree at Victoria University in Australia; students in the Degree share a common first year and then choose a specialization, for instance biotechnology, chemistry, or ecology and environmental management. The article outlines the conceptual framework that underpinned the development, in particular the approach to making IT knowledge and skills relevant to students of different specializations, details the pilot implementation of the unit, and presents evaluation outcomes.

Item type Article
URI https://vuir.vu.edu.au/id/eprint/7378
Official URL http://www.informingscience.us/icarus/journals/jit...
Subjects Historical > FOR Classification > 0806 Information Systems
Historical > FOR Classification > 1302 Curriculum and Pedagogy
Historical > SEO Classification > 9302 Teaching and Instruction
Historical > Faculty/School/Research Centre/Department > School of Engineering and Science
Keywords ResPubID19708, IT skills, science degree, digital literacy, specialization, practical application
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