Active learning and online education have become important aspects of knowledge delivery. Nevertheless, little research exists on how active learning techniques can be implemented in an online environment. Deliberate equivalence of methods and materials for onsite and online delivery mechanisms is often seen as a strong point in favor of a particular program. Online environment, however, demands adjustments. Blogging is one way to implement active learning techniques in a virtual classroom. The case study that involved 25 college composition students demonstrates that blogging overcomes the asynchronous nature of online classes and results in improved attitudes toward writing as it shows real-world application of the skills acquired in a classroom and makes students see writing as presentation of self.
This article explores scientific terminology in popular science books. It goes beyond existing approaches to definitions in popularizations to suggest a dual, macro and micro, structure for the majority of definitions. This dual structure manifests as chains of definitions that include prototypical, procedural, and figurative definitions. Analyzing the structure and functions of the chains (macro structure) and their individual components (micro structure), this article does not confirm the phenomenon of substitution observed by Myers yet suggests that even without the replacement of terminology popular science maintains the focus on the specific rather than the general.
This article explores a debate (and its origins) which is taking place around the issue of science popularization. Although the participants are all describing popularization in various ways, the heart is in what makes a good popularization. The notion of this has changed from the 19th century view, which called for a simple and easy-to-understand text, to a more modern view, which suggests a good popularization engages the reader emotionally. This discussion might also be seen in a context of a more profound debate of science experts versus general public and what science and scientific knowledge mean to each group. The exploration of this relationship suggests a shift in the role lay public plays in science.
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