Fiocruz offers a course on Introduction to Science Education

By Valentina Leite and Flavia Lobato (in Portuguese)

Those who do science have a commitment to communicate their actions and results to the whole society, especially if we think about the work of public organizations. The Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), renowned for its expertise in the field, has just opened applications for the online course Introduction to Scientific Dissemination. The offer is in MOOC format and open to all audiences.

Offered through the Fiocruz Virtual Campus, with a workload of 30h / class, the course is free, self-instructional, in the distance education modality (EAD) and in MOOC format. This means anyone interested can sign up and attend classes. You can follow your own pace and access materials at the most convenient places and times.

Disseminate science, a survival issue

But why should society be engaged in discussions about science? This is what explains Luisa Massarani, scientific disseminator and researcher responsible for the course. “Scientists and institutions are funded largely from public resources. So it is necessary to give return on these investments and results. It’s about social responsibility”, she says. She also comments on the current context that affects the area. “These are times of fake news, where messages of disbelief in evidences and scientific thinkin are spread, and we face contingency of public resources for research in various countries. Thus, science faces the challenge of giving greater visibility to the general public and decision makers and funders, showing their importance for economic and social development. It’s a matter of survival”.

For this, the course presents concepts and also offers tools and practical guidance on how to carry out scientific dissemination. At the end, participants will be able to:

• understand the historical course of scientific dissemination in Brazil and in the world,
• recognize the importance of maintaining a dialogue with society,
• use tools to perform actions of scientific dissemination.

To broaden knowledge, participants have access to complementary materials in different formats.

The Introduction to Scientific Dissemination course is an initiative of the Fiocruz Vice-Presidency Education, Information and Communication (VPEIC / Fiocruz) and the National Institute of Public Communication of Science and Technology (INCT), supported by the Fiocruz Virtual Campus.

What is MOOC

The course is available in MOOC format. The abbreviation comes from the English Massive Open Online Course, which means open and massive online course. It is a distance learning course, open to all, and self-instructional – that is, it does not need the accompaniment of a teacher, and the student himself determines how he will dedicate himself to the course. Approval depends on compliance with the proposed activities and hours within a given time frame.

Generally, MOOCs consist of lectures or classes recorded on video and transmitted over the Internet through virtual learning environments, web 2.0 tools and social networks. Courses may also include other multimedia formats such as games, quiz, audios, infographics about content from various fields of knowledge.

In Brazil, a large country, distance education (ODL) has been widespread, as digital technologies facilitate and expand access to quality education, while reducing learning costs.

Many universities, companies and other public and private organizations have used these solutions to share knowledge in a simpler and more open way.

Register here to access the course and get to know MOOC!