Moray House School of Education and Sport is offering a free course on data science in the Secondary classroom.
Data science is the ability to ask questions, collect, analyse, interpret, communicate about data. As technology makes it easier to collect vast amounts of data, the skills to use data to solve problems fairly will become even more important. This course, developed by experts in the field of digital and data literacy, data science and secondary teaching, is an innovative and exciting opportunity for professional development.
About the course
There will be four full-day sessions on Monday 6th February 2023, Tuesday 7th March 2023, Wednesday 26th April 2023 and Thursday 18th May 2023. The sessions are face to face (following feedback by teachers on previous workshops) but it may be possible to join virtually if required. You will need to attend all of the sessions.
The course will be taught by Dr Jasmeen Kanwal and Kate Farrell and will include collaboration with data scientists, colleagues in industry, and educational experts.
Topics covered will include:
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- Exploring how data is used to solve real life problems. From coronavirus dashboards in the newspaper, to the smart meters in your cupboard, to the Fitbit in your pocket: data displays are everywhere. We’ll consider how data be used ethically to make decisions and improve our lives.
- Teaching strategies and core concepts: We’ll explore how to develop strategies to ensure that every learner participates meaningfully in opportunities to develop their data literacy. We will identify digital and non-digital pedagogical approaches to teaching data science, and explore how this may enrich the ways in which all learners are included in class activities. This is important to our commitment to close the attainment gap. We will also look at ways to engage learners in data for social good projects and activism, using data to benefit their schools and communities.
- Data Science within BGE: We will look at projects, resources and ideas for teaching data within different curricular areas of Broad General Education.
- NPA Data Science: We will cover the core concepts in the National Progression Award in Data Science (Levels 4-6)
There are 15 places for teachers on the course. All Secondary school teachers in the South East of Scotland (City of Edinburgh, Fife, Borders, East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian) may submit an application for a place. Preference will be given to teachers who will be delivering the NPA in 2023-24 or who work in schools who are working to close the attainment gap, or to improve their technology provision
Cost for classroom cover will be provided.
How to apply
When applying to the course, teachers must commit to: attend all sessions; try out the course materials at their school; take part in research data collection activities; and share their knowledge with other teachers.
Please send details using the application below to Jasmeen.Kanwal@ed.ac.uk by Friday 20th January 2023.
Data Science Course Application (Word)
Data Science Course Application (pdf)
If you require this document in an alternative format, please contact us dataschools@ed.ac.uk
You will be notified if you have a place by Monday 23rd January, at which time you will receive additional details.