Is communicating science a ‘catch 22′-type affair?
Are scientists caught up in an ivory tower of academia and thus have difficulties relating to the lowly, common woman and man?
Some have argued this point in one form or another. And, as I see it, there may be a modicum of merit to it.
What’s the pertinent part of the problem? Academic language. At least according to a recent article by one of those academic types. In Academic Language Impedes Students’ Ability to Learn Science, Expert Argues you will find this description of an important element to the problem:
In addition to having its own specialized vocabulary, academic language is more concise, using complex grammatical structures to express complicated ideas in as few words as possible. [all emphases mine]
This specialized way of communicating impedes the dissemination of science to students and the average Janes and Joes. So what to do?
Many apparently believe the solution is to dumb-down and sexy-up science. Massive rock hurtling through space, Earth in its cross-hairs!
While I’m all for making the findings of science more accessible, I believe this can result in writing that violates scientific values and methods. Objectivity, precision, accuracy, etc. And that is the catch 22. How to make science interesting and engaging without venturing into the realm of salesmanship and quasi-fables.
Fortunately, there is more than one solution to the problem. The short-term solution is for academics to come down out of their tower, to put on baseball caps and sunglasses, play some hip-hop music and rap about their findings. Or something not quite as extreme.
The longer term solution, the one I favor, is addressed in the article:
Catherine E. Snow, a professor at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education and the Boston research director for the Strategic Education Research Partnership (SERP), makes the case that students need to be taught academic language in order to learn science and other subjects.
Yes. Rather than fully dumbing-down science, educate the audience. Lift them up. All students, from ages 5 to 105. Those in school, those attending hard-knocks university.
If you ask me, the ivory tower is a good thing. For one, the view is outstanding. Let’s better open it up to the general public.
One Comment to “The Ivory Tower of Academia”
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
Leave a Reply