Scientific Communication: Teaching Students to Prepare and Deliver Effective Oral Presentations

TCE

The Chemical Educator

ISSN: 1430-4171 (electronic version)

Table of Contents

Abstract Volume 13 Issue 2 (2008) pp 54-58

Scientific Communication: Teaching Students to Prepare and Deliver Effective Oral Presentations

Lesley R. Brown

Chemistry Department, Goucher College, Baltimore, MD 21204, lebrown@goucher.edu
Received July 1, 2007. Accepted October 1, 2007.

Published online: 24 February 2008

Abstract. The ability to deliver a coherent, comprehensible and scientifically accurate oral presentation is a skill that all science students need. This assignment teaches students to search for information, organize it, and then present it to an audience of their peers. Some of the specific skills that students develop are public speaking skills, the ability to critically read and evaluate primary and secondary literature, and the ability to work cooperatively. Because the exercise is integrated directly into a second semester organic chemistry course, it also helps students with mastery of key chemical concepts presented throughout the one-year sequence. Lastly, students begin to realize that organic chemistry is relevant to many everyday issues.

Key Words: In the Classroom; organic chemistry, oral presentation

(*) Corresponding author. (E-mail: lebrown@goucher.edu)

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