SUPPORTING UNDERGRADUATE SCIENTIFIC LITERACY SKILLS USING CUSTOM WEB APPS

Undergraduates in science programmes often struggle to engage with foundational scientific literacy skills (SLS), including data analysis and the critical reading of primary scientific literature (PSL). The barriers to learning these skills include limited prior exposure, restricted access to appropriate tools, and a perception of high complexity, leading to anxiety and disengagement (Goudsouzian & Hsu, 2023; Paci et al., 2025). Moreover, as students readily adopt generative AI tools, educators are challenged to emphasise the intrinsic value of learning SLS. To address these issues, we developed BlinkR and Parsible using a Shiny framework: open-source web apps to support the learning of SLS through interactive, low-barrier approaches, taking a research-informed approach to teaching (Hagtvedt et al., 2007).

BlinkR and Parsible are device agnostic, interactive browser-based tools, providing accessible and scaffolded learning approaches, grounded in pedagogical evidence. BlinkR supports learning of scientific research processes through guided workflows, from hypothesis development to statistical analysis with R. Parsible demonstrates how to parse PSL, guiding learners through identifying relevant information, assessing methodological quality, and independently interpreting results.

BlinkR has been embedded in a course for medical students, demonstrating that targeted web apps can be successfully implemented within curricula. Parsible extends this approach by supporting independent development of SLS.

While formal evaluation is ongoing, there has been positive uptake of these tools, illustrating how course-integrated digital resources aligned with specific learning objectives can enhance accessibility, student agency, and engagement in SLS.