The language of science

An online animated tool for learning the vocabulary used in the health sciences

Abstract

Students often struggle with science content because of their lack of science vocabulary comprehension. Science vocabulary is often derived from Greek and Latin words, languages not familiar to the majority of our students. Knowing common suffixes, prefixes and root words can facilitate student understanding of new complex concepts. Development of a visual, interactive and quick online tool to aid students dissect and decode parts of words and help them to understand the entire word will benefit students otherwise disadvantaged, for example, students where English is not their first language and students who come to us with little or no previous science education as often the case for students undertaking the Bachelor Health Science (BHlthSci) degree. This could also help with first-year student retention as it may help students to not see science words as daunting and confusing and give them confidence in their learning.