18 Oct 2020

Science Literacy course for free

 by Paula Johanson


There's so much science being mentioned in the news and social media. But how are we supposed to know the difference between a sensational story and hard facts? 

A new online course in Science Literacy offered by the University of Alberta is ready to help learners spot sound science—an increasingly relevant skill in today’s world of social media. This course is available at no charge. “The purpose of this course is to teach people about the process of science and how it is used to acquire knowledge,” said course host Claire Scavuzzo, researcher in the Department of Psychology.

Students will have the opportunity to learn how wisdom is gained and practiced by Canadian First Nations, Indigenous, and Metis peoples, compared to the westernized process of science. They will also learn how to think critically about scientific claims from a variety of sources.

This online course would be useful for adults or teenage learners, or for a family to study together. There are no prerequisites, and a variety of guest lecturers. The course can be completed at the learner’s own pace—roughly five weeks with five to seven hours per week of study. The five modules of the course are presented with practice quizzes, reflective quizzes, and interactive learning objects that are all available for free. It would be great for anyone who wants to learn about science. Click on this link to read a detailed article about the course, and click on this link to register for free. It's even possible to upgrade and get a certificate of completion!

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