Use of student audio recordings to develop communication skills in a first year physiology unit

Several academic reports have emphasised the importance of communication skills development within science programs. Despite employer concerns, there is little research in the academic science literature regarding how generic skills, including communication skills, can be embedded into the curriculum of science programs. Although there are instances in which dedicated communication skills units are offered, the practice of explicitly embedding these skills in disciplinary science units is rare. While science students typically receive practice in writing reports and essays, less emphasis has been placed on oral or spoken communication. We conducted a study where students made a two-minute audio recording on a topic in first-year physiology. The exercise has generally worked well (with some minor technology issues), and informal student feedback has been positive, particularly students’ appreciation of not having to do their presentation in front of other students. More student feedback will be sought via an online survey. In the future, additional ways of embedding the assessment of oral communication skills in units offered in each year of the science program could be investigated.