Exploring web design principles for joint meaning-making in health-related issues

Beginning with an overview of different aspects of scientific literacy in relation to an expanding media landscape, this poster proposes a broader definition of the concept of scientific literacy, also including scientific media literacy. The aim of the poster is to formulate and test a number of design principles for creating meaningful online learning situations in science education relating to health-related issues. The principles are characterized by collaborative problem-solving, informal mentorship, online interactions and working with as authentic and up to date topics as possible, e.g. socio-scientific issues. Through the joint creation of a web-based platform for participation in health-related reasoning, both Swedish upper secondary students and their science teachers are involved in the meaning-making process. Data will consist of audio recordings of students’ reasoning during media production, uploads on the website (e.g. texts, images and wiki-threads) dealing with health-related dilemmas. The results from a pilot study will be presented and discussed, focusing on an evaluation of the design principles.