OPTI 489/589

10/07

OPTI 489/589.  Optics Outreach Laboratory (1).  Students will explore a variety of methods for communicating with the general public about science and optics in particular.  Students are expected to develop and apply the knowledge and skills useful for developing methods for communicating effectively with a wide range of audiences.  The primary audience for applying the skills acquired in this course will be communicating with students in the high school setting.

Instructor:

Professor McCollough

Phone: 626-3689 / Email: jmccollough@optics.arizona.edu

Office:

Dr. Joseph McCollough

Optical Sciences / Meinel Bldg, room 406A

Course Objectives/Outcome:

At the completion of this course students will be able to:

·        Understand principles of informative communication.

·        Demonstrate the ability to organize projects effectively.

·        Understand, as well as participate in public speaking projects.

·        Be familiar with a variety of audio-visual applications.

·        Demonstrate effective presentation skills to audiences in an    

         educational setting.

·        Create an individual optics project for demonstration purposes.

Study Skills and Assignments:

This course requires some assignments, both in and out of class, in order to clarify expectations and to review the progress of projects, e.g., PowerPoint presentations, displays, and projects for demonstration purposes.  Special emphasis will be placed on team projects and the importance of teamwork and how well designed organization and communication strategies promote successful results.  Assignments and projects are expected to be turned in on time and an overview of presentations given to the public are to be turned in to the instructor within a week of the project.

Grading Criteria:

        Undergraduate:

            Presentations to the public           40%

            Group Assignments                       20%                     

            Course Project                             20%

            Final project presentation             15%

            Attendance                                   5%

        Graduate:

            Presentations to the public            40%

            Group Assignments                        15%                     

            Course Project                             20%

            Independent Project                     10%

            Final project presentation             10%

            Attendance                                   5%

Materials for Course: 

·        A variety of materials from the instructor.

·        Materials as a result of student research

·        Recommended text:  TBA