Disciplinary literacies in STEM: what do undergraduates read, how do they read it, and can we teach scientific reading more effectively?

Hubbard, Katharine

Abstract

There have been calls for Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education to become more interdisciplinary, reflecting the reality of contemporary research. However, communicating across disciplines is challenging. In this article, I explore what and how students read in the STEM disciplines`. I provide an overview of key topics in literacy research, and discuss the disciplinary nature of literacy. I compare disciplinary literacy requirements in STEM through thematic analysis of UK quality subject benchmark statements, which identifies considerable variation in the expectations of undergraduates to engage with primary research literature. I explore implications this has for interdisciplinary teaching, and present some published pedagogical strategies for engaging students in research literature. I call on STEM educators to embed inclusive disciplinary literacy teaching within curricula to support students in their reading. I also highlight the need for clear understanding of disciplinary conventions and reading expectations when designing interdisciplinary educational programmes.

Citation

Hubbard, K. (2021). Disciplinary literacies in STEM: what do undergraduates read, how do they read it, and can we teach scientific reading more effectively?. Higher Education Pedagogies, 6(1), 41-65. https://doi.org/10.1080/23752696.2021.1882326

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 22, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Mar 4, 2021
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Deposit Date: Feb 25, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 5, 2021
• Journal: Higher Education Pedagogies
• Print ISSN: 2375-2696
• Electronic ISSN: 2375-2696
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 6
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 41-65
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/23752696.2021.1882326
• Keywords: Disciplinary literacy; Interdisciplinary education; STEM education; Thematic analysis; Reading
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/3729232
• Publisher URL: Latest issue: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rhep20/6/1?nav=tocList