Sparks were flying as these three put their heads together to discuss the ultimate question: Is the internet dumbing down science?

People like the web. It’s a new medium that is instantaneous, offers interactivity and ability to access content on different levels of detail and the user can check facts.

The new tools allow the “omygawd” factor, according to Richard Black from BBCNews.com, to become a way to share news.

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The way audiences are getting information is changing. The way the internet is playing a role in getting this information is influencing journalists to create unique and interesting ways to portray information and facts.

Professor Alfred Hermida in his talk at the Wedgewood Hotel in Vancouver last night addressed how to make science relevant in a digital age.

We know the web allows new tools, innovative ways to tell a story and now science is tapping into this relatively new medium to tell difficult stories that would otherwise be weighed down with facts and figures.

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Here are some of the websites I mentioned in my keynote address, Reimagining Science Journalism, on Friday at the opening of Future Directions in Science Journalism.

Vancouver Sun: Project sheds light on rare turtles

The Great Turtle Race

BBC News website: Energy calculator

New York Times: Journeys to distant fields of prime

NOAA in Second Life

A PDF of the talk is available for download here.

How could the media be evolving if Europe’s broadcast companies are adapting popular American television programs and game shows?

François Heinderyckx, professor at Université Libre de Bruxelles in the Department of information and communication sciences gave a talk today at UBC Institute of European Studies addressing the issue of modeled contemporary programs and how they are creating new trends that are specific to European media.

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The conference kicks off this evening Friday, November 9 with a keynote by Prof Alfred Hermida entitled “Reimagining Science Journalism”.

Here’s the abstract of the talk:

The way audiences are getting news and information about science is changing, with the Internet emerging as a key resource. The challenge is how to revitalize science journalism for a digital age. The web can offer new ways of engaging with audiences by capitalising on the interactive and participatory attributes of the Internet to convey the wonder of science.

The event takes place at the Wedgewood Hotel in downtown Vancouver. Light refreshments will be served.