From TikTok videos to instruction manuals: MSc students inspired to reach beyond the assessment framework in an authentic learning assignment – a physics education story

Morreau, Amy, Lewis, Richard ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1859-0021 and Roche, Paul 2022. From TikTok videos to instruction manuals: MSc students inspired to reach beyond the assessment framework in an authentic learning assignment – a physics education story. Presented at: Cardiff University Teaching and Learning Conference 2022, Cardiff University, 29 - 30 June 2022.

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Abstract

The task: as part of a core MSc module, design and develop an outreach activity within the remit of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Public Engagement Spark Awards. The assessment framework closely mirrored the real world grant application process, with nine groups (4 to 6 students each) required to submit a grant application form and a five-minute video pitch. A diverse range of ideas were proposed, each supported with the necessary implementation details and financial breakdowns. The Module Organiser (Paul Roche, a member of awarding panel for the STFC Spark Awards) determined that many of the proposals would have been funded if submitted as genuine grant applications. Two groups were inspired to undertake creative extensions to bolster the credibility of their applications: Group A’s proposal centred on the design and manufacture of a simple build-your-own Light Emitting Diode (LED) kit to be delivered to schools to support the KS3 curriculum. The group produced a detailed PDF manual to accompany their submission, including assembly instructions, safety advice and age-appropriate explanations of the underlying physics. Group B proposed the use of short-form video content on social media to showcase various topics in physics and astrophysics. Creating a TikTok channel with four prototype videos, the group quickly demonstrated the public’s appetite for such content: their most successful video has garnered 13.9 million views, 2.2 million ‘likes’ and nearly 10,000 comments in less than three months. This talk will showcase the potential for excellence and inspiration when implementing authentic learning.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Lecture)
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Physics and Astronomy
Subjects:	L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education Q Science > QC Physics
Last Modified:	30 Nov 2022 08:12
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/150934

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