Date: Wednesday 8 March 2023
Time: 12:00 - 13:00
Venue: Online (via Zoom)
Linguistics Circle Seminar 08/03/2023 12.00-13.00 pm (virtual)
This event will be taking place online via .
Meeting ID: 778 447 0068
Passcode: 271457
A teachable moment: The development of scientific literacy in the public and media during the COVID-19 pandemic
Prof. Yael Rozenblum (Faculty of Education in Science and Technology, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology)
ABSTRACT
In a world where science and technology have a significant impact on society and culture, there is great importance in cultivating scientific literacy among the public. This in turn will support problem-solving processes and decision-making in daily life.
The majority of definitions and studies on scientific literacy focus on individual knowledge and skills. However, scientific literacy is influenced by groups’ commitments, identities, religious and political affiliations, and social structures (e.g., media and social networks).
The presented research explores the expressions and development of scientific literacy during the COVID-19 pandemic among the public and media and the association between them.
The findings indicate that group commitments and affiliations as well as social structures shape public engagement with science in everyday situations. The findings also demonstrate that science-related events can lead to changes in scientific literacy, especially in science-related vocabulary, and create a 'teachable moment' among the public and the media.
Discussing the findings, we will talk about the role of scientific literacy, as well as the role of individual motivations, commitment, identities, religious affiliations, and the media when engaging with science in everyday life.
