LC-1114 - Communicating Technology (o + w) - H2, 10.01.2019-21.03.2019
This course space end date is set to 21.03.2019 Search Courses: LC-1114
Topic outline
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Students mustMake a submission
Deadline: 10.01 @ 9:00 / Submit a digital copy (use the template provided below!)
During this course, you will write and speak about solutions related to your own field of study: based on the preparatory assignments, you will write a report (500-600 words) recommending a solution from your field of study to a specific problem or need, and give an oral presentation on the same topic.
Every field of science is constantly developing solutions to problems arising from real-life situations and needs. These solutions can be, for example, technologies, methods, devices, approaches, or strategies, which usually aim to achieve one of the following goals:
- to improve the efficiency of an existing technology or method
- to implement a more effective strategy
- to enhance methods to organize a processTo get started, your first task is to do some research to find a suitable topic and contents for the compulsory written and oral assignments.
Look for solutions that you find interesting yourself and motivating to explain in more detail to a non-expert audience (i.e. intelligent and educated but not experts in your specific field of study). You may choose some application, strategy or technology that is central to your field, or perhaps you have noticed an item of news (YLE, HS, BBC, Discovery) that is closely related to your field? Or maybe you have some expert knowledge of current developments in your field based on your experience in working life, your bachelor’s thesis or a project in which you have participated.
For this assignment, fill in the A1 assignment template (attached below) with the following information:
1. Find 2 real-life needs/problems that can be solved or alleviated using a particular solution from
your own field of study.
- The solution may be e.g. a method, device, technology, material, or strategy.
- The problem can be a need to develop a new technology, or improve on an existing method or process.
For example:
Problem/need
Metal screws are currently used for treating bone fractures. However, they have to be
removed in a later operation, which increases costs and prolongs the recovery period.
Proposed solution
Such complications can be avoided by using biodegradable materials.
To identify such problems and solutions, browse the web for interesting solutions or current developments in your field (e.g. search with key words, or look into your school or department home pages or Aalto University Library Information Resources ). See also examples below (table 1).
2. Briefly describe a technical solution for both of the problems that you identified.
3. Identify a potential client, i.e. who would most probably implement this solution
(what public/private institution, company or individual entrepreneur?).4. Copy the links to the sources of your information into the A1 Template (item 4).
.........................................................................................................................................................Table 1: Examples of topics chosen by previous students:
Ionic liquids in cellulose processing
Driver drowsiness detection
Microfluidic chips in neuron culture
Single-port manipulator system for brain tumor removal surgery
Microchip-integrated antennas
Prototyping by 3D printing
Nanoscale salt crystals -
Bring a digital or hard copy of this assignment to class on 17.1You don't need to submit anything here EXCEPT if you are absent from class: in that case, submit your first version here.Write the problem-solution paragraph
Pattern of organization Problem-solution
Topic ONE of the problems/needs and its solution from the pre-course assignment A1.
Audience Decision makers, educated but non-expert
Length 150-200 words
Deadline Bring a digital copy or printout to class.This text will eventually become the introduction paragraph of a recommendation report in which you propose a solution to an evident need or problem that has been identified in the current practices, products or services of your client.
The problem can be a weakness in design, function or implementation. The client who has commissioned this recommendation can be any potential user of the solution, such as decision-makers of a municipality, institution, company or an international organization.
Use the problem-solution pattern to motivate your recommendation and to orient your reader effectively to its relevance.
The problem-solution pattern of organization
1. Situation = wider context and relevance
- Describe the general importance/relevance of topic
- State current context (client description, current client practices. Name the client!)
2. Problem = weakness/problem in or a need arising from your client’s current practices.
- Explain what is currently lacking/needed/unsatisfactory (“However,…”)
3. Solution
- Name the proposed solution to overcome the problem.
4. Evaluation
- Briefly state the main advantage of this solution to justify the recommendation.
At the end of your text, include a list of references to sources you have used to find the information (follow the conventions of your field!). -
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Description:
Please bring TWO paper copies of A3a (for peer review purposes) to class. See Course Schedule for details.
This text is the first version of combined introduction paragraph and the extended definition of the recommended solution.ASSIGNMENT A3a:
Write a description of the proposed solution and add it to your report, after the introduction paragraph. Submit the text (A2+A3a) AFTER peer editing in class. See Course Schedule for details.DESCRIPTION OF THE SOLUTION
Pattern of organization Extended definition
Topic The solution proposed in A2 (Introduction paragraph)
Audience Decision makers, educated but non-expert
Length of DESCRIPTION OF THE SOLUTION: 250-300 words.You will submit Your edited A2 + A3a to A3b in my Courses. See Course Schedule for details.
Write an extended definition of the solution that you introduced in the first paragraph of the recommendation report (A2). This definition will become the body section explaining and describing the key properties of the recommended technology or method to me (think about your audience!). Research the solution further to find relevant facts and figures.
The extended definition must discuss 3-4 types of information (amplification methods) and be based on 2-3 sources.
Assignment A3a must include the following elements:
· Your name and course
· Title (name of the solution)
· INTRODUCTION (A2)
· DESCRIPTION of the SOLUTION (extended definition)
- Sentence definition of the solution
- 3-4 types of defining information (amplification methods) to describe and explain the solution.
For example,
analysis of parts (What are its parts or types?)
operating principles (How does it work?)
applications/example (How is it used or applied, who by?)
analogy/comparison (Is it similar to something already familiar?)
advantages/disadvantages (What are its strengths/weaknesses?)
physical appearance/ features (What does it look like? What are its characteristic features?)· In-text citations to sources
· List of references (2-3 )
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