Nanochemistry in Innovative Technologies
Workshop 1: Module Induction
Information Retrieval and Library Resources
Oral Presentation Guidelines
Plagiarism
Context/Problem Based Learning
• Teaching methodology which aims to increase students'
engagement
• Course based upon real-life applications of principles,
techniques and experiments
• Students presented with problem scenarios which are illdefined, and have a number of satisfactory solutions.
• Learners collaborate to solve problems, acquire new knowledge
and present the outcomes or product.
• Provides the opportunity to develop valuable transferable skills
• Students can take control of their learning
• Academic staff adopt the role of facilitator during this process.
• Further information: T.L. Overton, Context and Problem-Based
Learning, New Directions, Issue 3, Oct. 2007, pages 7-12.
Module Induction
Workshop 1:
Module induction
Overview of library
resources
Workshop 2:
Student presentation
on “Applications of
Nanomaterials in
Society”
Workshop 3:
Class debate on
“Advantages and
Disadvantages of
Nanomaterials in
Society”
Workshop 6:
Student presentation
on case study
Close of module
Workshop 5:
Research on
characterisation of
nanomaterials
Workshop 4:
Research on synthesis
of nanomaterials
Tools to help you
You have or will be provided with a Student Guide for
this project in which you will find:
• An overview of each workshop and a list of tasks to be
completed during and after it.
• Appendices containing guidelines for various aspects
of the work involved.
• Details about how the project will be assessed.
Your first task is to read the guide carefully.
Assessment of Module
Mark
Assessment
Allocation
mark
Information retrieval
Individual
10%
PowerPoint presentation (Workshop 2)
Individual
20%
Debate
Individual
20%
Assessment Component
Case Study:
50%
Attendance and contribution at workshop 4.
Individual
(5%)
Attendance and contribution at workshop 5.
Individual
(5%)
Attendance and contribution at workshop 6.
Individual
(5%)
Submission of group wiki.
Group
(20%)
Peer assessment mark for wiki presentation.
Group
(5%)
Final individual reflective piece.
Individual
(10%)
Introduction to Case Studies
CASE STUDY THEMES:
APPLICATIONS OF NANOMATERIALS
MEDICINAL
1:
SILVER
2:
GOLD
ENVIRONMENTAL
3: TITANIUM
DIOXIDE
4a:
GRAPHENE
4:CARBON
ALLOTROPES
4b:
NANOTUBES
MATERIALS
5: QUANTUM
DOTS
4c:
BUCKYBALLS
4d:
BUCKYPAPER
Case Studies
Case Studies
Project overview [Abstract/Summary] (max 300 words)
Aim of the project.
Overview of nanomaterial, including relevant background information.
Product Preparation (max 1500 words, may include reaction schemes and
diagrams)
Protocol for the preparation of the product (this should include any interesting
observations/properties of the product).
Product Analysis (max 1000 words)
What analysis will be done?
What information this will provide?
Timelines
Timelines of analysis to be carried out to include report writing (present in a
Gantt chart format).
Costing
How much will the raw materials cost.
Conclusion (max 200 words)
Summarise results and recommendations
Tools to help you
• Each group will have their own wiki to allow effective
collaboration. Guidelines on how to use a wiki are
provided and should be consulted.
• You will add information to the wiki and your group will
need to meet face to face between workshops.
• At the end of the module, you will present your final
team report directly from your wiki.
• The wiki keeps a record of individual contributions to
the group project.
• It also enables your tutor to track your progress and give
you regular feedback.
• Your tutor must have your email address by the end of
Workshop 3 to allow you to start using it in Workshop 4.
Information Retrieval And Library Resources
Available Resources
• Web:
– Journal databases
(e.g. Publisher websites, Web of Knowledge etc.)
– Internet search engines
• Library:
– Library staff
– Text books
– Journals
– Online databases
• Impact of choice of keywords
• Important to be critical of source of information and
its relevance.
Oral Presentation Guidelines
Tools to help you: Oral Presentations
When preparing a presentation content should:
• Suit your audience (for this
presentation, the
audience will be peers and academic staff)
• Be informative and interesting and a suitable length
In all cases, the presentation should be made as simple
and visually engaging as possible.
Guidelines
•
•
•
•
Keep slides simple - too much text turns your audience off
A picture speaks a thousand words
Use simple colours, large font where possible
Don’t (over) animate
•
Check that the slide can be read in the environment where you are going to speak
• Credit the source that a diagram or image comes from and
include references at the end.
• Face your audience and try not to read from cards
Structure of Presentation
• Beginning - introduce topic generally, remember
your audience
• Core - longest section containing key findings
• End - briefly summarise results, emphasising
main point and reflecting on theme
“Tell the audience what you're going to say, say it; then
tell them what you've said”.
Dale Carnegie (1888-1955) American writer.
Plagiarism
• Plagiarism is not acknowledging the work of others.
• Important things to remember:
– Make sure to acknowledge any information that you
obtain by including a reference.
– Do not reproduce information word for word from a
reference.
– Failure to meet these requirements means you have
plagiarised work and marks will be deducted.
– References should be formatted according guidelines
provided.
Useful reference: Chapter 10 in “Study and Communication Skills
for the Chemical Sciences”; Overton, T., Johnson, S., Scott, J.;
Oxford University Press (2011)
Getting Started in Your Group
• Keep an open mind and be prepared to listen.
• Avoid being dismissive or judgemental
• Be aware of your body language – avoid being
negative
Getting Started in Your Group
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Get to know each other
Establish ground rules
Brainstorm
Agree tasks
Plan your timeline
Keep going
The final product
Useful reference: Chapter 3 in “Study and Communication Skills for
the Chemical Sciences”; Overton, T., Johnson, S., Scott, J.; Oxford
University Press (2011)
Assignment
• Prepare a four minute PowerPoint presentation on the
nanomaterial you have been assigned.
• You must submit your slides by e-mail to your tutor by
5pm on the day before the presentation.
Nanochemistry in Society
Workshop 4: Introduction to Wiki
Pages created
using project
headings
Introductory text
from tutor
Log of recent activity used to
monitor student contributions
Pages can be
edited and linked
to other pages
throughout the
wiki.
Use this space to explain to group members
reasoning for changes made
Using Your Wiki
Reminder:
• You will add information to the wiki during and after
each workshop as you complete tasks.
• At the end of the module you will use your wiki as
your final presentation.
• The wiki enables your tutor to track your progress
and give you regular feedback.
• The wiki keeps a record of individual contributions to
the group project.
Using Your Wiki
Create pages in your wiki corresponding to the sections
listed in the case study project template.
Upload the information from your PowerPoint
presentation and the outcome of the debate onto your
wiki in the appropriate section.
Discuss and start a section on synthesis of your
assigned nanomaterial covering synthetic procedure
and costing.
You should also start to consider the content of the
characterisation section which should be completed in
the next workshop.