Elementary

Big Data, Big Promise

Ruth Krumhansl, Founder of the Oceans of Data Institute (ODI), describes all the ways big data is changing lives today, the challenges that big data brings, and why ODI is working to transform education to include more data-relevant instruction.

"Data will be part of [student's] future and it should be part of their instruction too".

 

Streams of Data: Lesson Plans and Resources

Streams of Data has created fourth-grade lesson plans for a five-day sequence about rivers and flooding. The goal of these lessons is to support development of analytical thinking skills around authentic science data. These goals include:

Real World, Real Science Curriculum Modules

Real World, Real Science is a NASA-funded collaboration with the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) that builds on the success of GMRI’S existing LabVenture! Program to create new learning experiences focused on exploring the effects of climate change in and around the Gulf of Maine.

Resources for Educators Using Data in the Classroom

EDC's Oceans of Data Institute (ODI) has compiled a list of data activities, lessons, and resources for the classroom, sorted by grade level:

Are There White Sharks Swimming Among Us?

By rKochevar on March 05, 2018

The company Strava was in the news recently for its ability to display highly accurate maps using position data from personal fitness devices (e.g., Fitbit, Apple Watch, etc.). Not only are GPS fitness devices tracking a person’s mileage on land, many also track water activities, such as swimming, to within a few meters.

Analytical Thinking in the Workplace and the Classroom

By rkrumhansl on March 10, 2016

Why Analytical Thinking?
In 2014, ODI gathered an expert panel of professionals that work with big data. After 2 days of intense discussion, this expert panel developed a list of the knowledge and skills essential to working with big data. Their work was then validated by almost 100 peers who work as big data analysts. As you can see below, Analytical Thinking ranked highest in both the knowledge AND skills essential to being an effective big data-enabled specialist.

Data Use in the Next Generation Science Standards

Today’s students will graduate into a world where oceans of data are available to influence and drive decision making. When the Oceans of Data Institute (http://oceansofdata.org) surveyed 300+ students from community college and university settings, 85% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the ability to make sense of data is important to get a good job and will help in their future careers. An overwhelming 90% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that learning to make sense of data will help them be more effective and informed citizens.

Oceans of Data Institute: Integrating Data Literacy into Science Education

This PowerPoint was presented at the Cutting Edge Digital Data Workshop in May  2015, and discusses the Oceans of Data Institute's work to-date.

Learn more about the workshop at http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/index.html.

The Relationship Between Direct and Data-Mediated Knowledge of the World

About 20 years ago, psychologist Lynn Liben presented an model of the relationships among a learner, an external (i.e. not mental) representation, and those aspects of the real world represented by the representation (the “referent”). Liben notes that the learner can learn either through direct interactions with the real world or through interactions with a representation.

Pervasive and Persistent Understandings about Data

This paper describes our current thinking on pervasive and persistent understandings about data

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