What happens when a Hollywood actor has a bad conversation with his dentist?…This book!

Actor Alan Alda writes a very good book highlighting the importance of effective conversation in science. Covering topics ranging from his interviewing scientists for PBS programs, to recent scientific research on communicating, to acting improv techniques to help build communication skills, to the habits of doctors talking to patients, this easy-to-read book will be worth your time. If you are in science and communicate in any way (that means all of us), this book is worth your time. For further information, information on the university center Alda helped found to promote improved science communication:

www.aldacenter.org

Summer school, for free?

Students in class (and office hours) will recall my mentioning inexpensive online classes to supplement college/university classes and as a useful way to build skills before transfer, grad school, or med school. These Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) feature leading international universities with two of the largest course sources being Coursera (coursera.org) and EdX (edx.org).  Whether you want to brush up on biostatistics, take a programming course, or learn about infectious disease, you will find it on either of these sites.  Edukatico.org and class-central.com are 2 websites that gather listings of online courses as well as student reviews.