Module Overview for Week of July 20: Research Poster Design

Overview

Overhead shot of a lively poster presentation sessionA common alternative to the traditional slide deck presentation is the ePoster, or digital research poster, which uses a blend of visuals and text to summarize the focus, methods, discussion, and findings of a research project.

Such digital posters have long been a key feature of scientific conferences, where researchers gather to share their work and discoveries with colleagues. It is rare to attend a conference in the sciences that does not hold what are called “poster sessions” concurrently with traditional paper-based presentations.

In “Conference Presentations: Lead the Poster Parade Links to an external site.” ( Download PDF version

) by Chris Woolston, biophysicist Anthony Salvagno, director of education for SciFund Challenge, explains that “[t]he scientific poster remains a crucial currency for communication and connection” within the field. But over the last few years, that has changed—for the better.

Now, research posters are a common feature of any academic conference, even those in the humanities. They serve as a quick and highly effective way of setting forth research in a visual manner.

To capture the attention of the audience, digital posters must be usable:

  • The text included must be sharply and carefully summarized.
  • Images included must be accurately sized and complement the textual content.
  • The overall design must be eye-catching and easily navigable.

At the end of this module, you will have adapted one of the articles from your Correspondence Project into an ePoster Presentation, expanded your knowledge of how visuals can complement the written word, and practiced your design skills to create a digital poster presentation.

 

Objectives for this Module

After completing this module, you will be able to

  • Describe and understand the persuasive nature of a research poster. (CLO 4)
  • Adapt and present in a visual manner the traditional workplace genre of the research report.  (CLO 4)
  • Analyze the rhetorical situation and determine how to adapt a lengthy written presentation into a cohesive, clear document for viewers. (CLO 1)
  • Apply principles of effective visual design, including hierarchical, chronological, and spatial arrangements. (CLO 6)

Note that you can find the full text of the Course Learning Objectives on the Syllabus.

 

Activities for the Week of July 20

Time Required: 12–15 hours, including reading time
Available Points: 160

Due Dates:

    • Friday, July 24 at 11:59 PM: All activities due. 
    • Monday, July 27 at 11:59 PM: Grace period ends for all work.

Reading Activities

Read the following (30 points):

Writing Activities

Complete the following activities (60 points): 

Piazza Discussion Activities

Complete the following (30 points):

  • Read the instructions and related information linked below. Note that the instructions are the same each week. What changes is the project you are focusing on.
  • Post a passage from your Research Poster Project and your related question  in Piazza.
  • Provide feedback to the passages and questions posted by others in Piazza.
  • (Optional) If you have questions about anything in the course, post those in Piazza for a response as well.

Other Activities

Complete activities that go beyond the basic expectations of the course (10 points). Include complete details on this work in your Work Log. See the Other Activities information Links to an external site. in the Course Manual for more information.

Tracking & Reflecting Activities

Complete the following (30 points):

  • Click Class Notebook in the Canvas sidebar to go to the Weekly Work Log in OneNote.
  • Click the Weekly Work Logs tab at the top of your notebook.
  • Choose the “Week of July 20” page from the right sidebar.
  • Track and reflect on the work you have done for the week (20 points).
    • Add specific details for all the work you have done this week. 
    • Add summary comments and reflections once the week is over and all your work is recorded.

Self-Assessment 

  • Claim the points for the work you have done this week in the 07/24 Self-Assessment .
    • Your points will be recorded automatically when you submit your quiz.

 

Photo credit: ENERGY.GOV [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons Links to an external site.