Updated post from an earlier post for Getting Smart
As the world continues to change, educators need to stay up to date with all of the emerging technologies to best understand the essential skills that students need for whatever lies ahead in the future. To do so, we have to find the most beneficial resources to bring into the classroom regardless of the content area or grade level being taught.
With the rise in the use of artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, blockchain, NFTS, the metaverse, and web3, the world of work will look very different. Students need to develop a variety of skills, especially in STEM-related fields and in areas such as computational thinking or data science. Students need to be data literate and have opportunities to develop their skills in all grade levels.
What does being data literate mean?
Let’s first look at the difference between data science and data literacy. When we take the information that we get from data and interpret it, look for patterns, this is data science. Educators inform instruction based on assessments given in classrooms. The data we receive from students helps us understand where they are in their learning journey and helps us to plan our next steps. Data science skills are an essential component of life and work.
While we hope that students will become more interested in data science because of the increase in jobs available, the focus needs to be on providing each student with an opportunity to learn. It has been predicted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics that the number of statistician jobs will increase by almost 34% from 2016 to 2026.
Being data literate means that you understand what the data represents, know how to process it, and use it to inform your next steps and make decisions. While it is a technical skill, it is how we analyze, visualize, interpret, and even communicate what we are taking away from the data.
How do we prepare?
More schools are starting to offer courses in data science to students in grades K through 12. Some are providing a full-year course or an individual lesson or unit of study for courses. Colleges have data science degrees and some majors require students to demonstrate competency in data science before taking certain courses.
In some schools, data science becomes part of the math curriculum or is offered as an elective. There are schools that may require it for graduation. There are 65 schools in the United States, in which the first full-year course called Introduction to Data Science is now being taught. These offerings are highly beneficial but may not be an option due to budgeting or lack of staff. A solution is for teachers to incorporate data literacy into different lessons or as a standalone learning experience during the year. Whether students are in elementary, middle or high school, there are resources available.
Data Science 4 Everyone
Fortunately, educators have access to a variety of resources to make it easier and less time consuming to bring data science to the classroom. Learn about the Data Science 4 Everyone (DS4E) Coalition that has been created to help students in grades K through 12 build the necessary skills in data literacy. The Data Science 4 Everyone was created by the University of Chicago Center for Radical Innovation for Social Change (RISC). In addition to the resources provided by DS4E, the RISC launched Algo-Rhythmas a gamified way for students to learn about data science. Students in grades 4 through 6 can learn about the basics of data science through music! There are multiple levels and the player has to analyze the different music types to find the right data set. It is fun for educators too!
Knowledge and skills in data science will lead to more opportunities in education and careers in the future. DS4E provides teachers with lessons for use with students in grades K through 12
Thinking about colleges, having all students take a course in data science would be something that could benefit them across all sectors of work and in terms of education, with pre-service teachers, helping them to become more diligent with benefit them in the work that they do.
In addition to DS4E, here are more options to explore for learning about data science.
- ASU Crash Course Data Literacy offers a 15-video series for educators and students to learn about data literacy. It helps students to build their skills while promoting more student independence in learning as they work through and learn the basics and continue all the way to advanced concepts and interpreting data.
- Khan Academy offers online courses that include practice activities and videos. These can be used with younger students all the way up through high school and college. Relevant activities can be found by searching for a specific topic area related to data science and the interpretation of data.
- MOOCS: There are paid options through some of the MOOCs available such as Coursera, EdX. Udacity, and Udemy. Some of these courses are provided from institutions such as Harvard, Johns Hopkins and MIT. Depending on exactly what an educator wants to learn, or in some cases, another option for older students considering majors in data science or related fields. Taking these courses can also be used as a model for younger students.
Get started
With DS4E, there are ready-to-use presentations that can be used to show the importance of data science and why it needs to be added to the K through 12 curriculum in our schools. There is also an advocacy pack available for educators to share with their school administrators.
It can be uncomfortable for teachers who feel like they don’t have the expertise needed to teach a concept, however there are enough resources available that make it easier for educators to get started.
About Rachelle
Follow Rachelle on Twitter @Rdene915 and on Instagram @Rdene915. Rachelle has a podcast, ThriveinEDU available at https://anchor.fm/rdene915.
Looking for PD for your school or keynotes for your conference? I provide in-person and virtual training on the following topics. If you want to learn more about and explore AI and ChatGPT, contact me to schedule! Rdene915@gmail.com or use the Book Me form on my website. bit.ly/thriveineduPD
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