Course Plan: Health Science Article Portfolio
Course Introduction
Welcome to the Health Science Article Portfolio course for Year 11 students! In this course, students will explore various topics in health science through the lens of contemporary articles. The course aims to develop critical thinking skills, foster an understanding of health issues, and enhance research and writing abilities in the context of health sciences. Students will compile a portfolio of articles that reflect diverse perspectives and emerging trends in health-related topics.
Course Goals and Aims
Goal:
To equip students with the knowledge, skills, and critical perspectives needed to analyze and engage with contemporary health issues through exploration of various articles.
Aims:
- To enhance students' understanding of significant health science concepts and issues.
- To develop critical reading, analytical, and writing skills through the examination of health-related articles.
- To encourage independent research and synthesis of information from multiple sources.
- To foster a sense of social responsibility regarding health issues in their communities and beyond.
- To build a comprehensive article portfolio showcasing students' analytical and reflective abilities related to health science.
Course Outline
Lesson 1: Introduction to Health Science and Portfolio Development
- Objectives:
- Understand what health science encompasses.
- Learn the purpose and components of an article portfolio.
- Activities:
- Group discussion on the importance of health science in society.
- Overview of portfolio expectations and assessment criteria.
- Introduction to the methods of selecting articles relevant to health science.
Lesson 2: Identifying Credible Sources
- Objectives:
- Learn to differentiate between reliable and unreliable health information.
- Familiarize with various health databases and online resources.
- Activities:
- Workshop on evaluating the credibility of sources.
- Hands-on practice using databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, and CDC resources.
- Homework: Find a credible article related to a chosen health topic.
Lesson 3: Article Review and Critical Analysis
- Objectives:
- Develop skills for critically analyzing health science articles.
- Understand the structure of scientific articles and the importance of methodology.
- Activities:
- Review an article as a class, focusing on its introduction, methods, results, and discussion sections.
- Group activity: Create a checklist for evaluating articles.
- Homework: Write a critical review of the article selected in Lesson 2.
Lesson 4: Synthesis of Information and Writing Skills
- Objectives:
- Learn techniques for synthesizing information from multiple sources.
- Develop effective writing strategies for summarizing research and presenting findings.
- Activities:
- Instruction on structuring a synthesis essay.
- Peer review session where students present their article reviews and provide feedback.
- Homework: Draft a synthesis of the key findings from their selected articles.
Lesson 5: Portfolio Completion and Presentation
- Objectives:
- Finalize the article portfolio with a reflective component.
- Present findings and insights from the portfolio to peers.
- Activities:
- Presentation preparation: Students create brief presentations focusing on their selected articles and key takeaways.
- Peer presentations followed by Q&A sessions.
- Submission of the final portfolio, including reflections on learning and insights gained from the research process.
Conclusion
By the end of this course, students will have developed a comprehensive understanding of current health science issues and honed their ability to critically evaluate health-related literature. The completed portfolio will serve not only as an academic accomplishment but also as a stepping stone for students' future engagement with health science topics in higher education and the community.