JISC

This project is part of the Enhancing JISC data services for Teaching and Learning project cluster in this particular programme. The main focus of projects in this cluster is to improve use of existing JISC owned resources through the JISC data services for learning and teaching.

Background

Through a number of strategic investments by both the JISC and the ESRC, the UK academic community has access to a Collection of Historical and Contemporary Census data and related resources (CHCC) which are available in digital format. Whilst individual data sets are used extensively in research they are significantly under used in learning and teaching programmes within HE. There is clear evidence that the CHCC could be used more widely in learning and teaching programmes. The project will contribute to the DNER and will increase the use of the CHCC in learning and teaching by improving accessibility to the primary data resources; developing an integrated set of learning and teaching materials; improving awareness about the contexts in which Census data can be used in learning and teaching; integrating contextual materials; providing access to Web-based data exploration/ visualisation tools and developing resource discovery tools.

Aims and Objectives

The central aim of the project is to develop CHCC into a major DNER learning and teaching resource. The key objectives are to:

• Promote increased and more effective use of network based data services for problem based learning and student project work across a broad cross section of learning and teaching programmes
• Develop an integrated Web-based learning and teaching system that links together data extraction and visualisation/ exploration tools with comprehensive learning and teaching resources
• Significantly increase the Census user base by increasing use of the CHCC in learning and teaching
• Build new user communities by promoting increased awareness of the CHCC and its learning and teaching potential
• Improve the productivity of teachers by significantly reducing the overheads required to incorporate Census data related resources into learning and teaching programmes
• Improve access to key primary data sources and related resources
• Minimise any delays in getting the key 2001 Census outputs used in learning and teaching

Project design

The project involves technical development as well as the development of learning and teaching materials. The technical work covers the development of a Census portal which will facilitate the discovery of both Census data and the associated learning and teaching materials and the development of Web-based interfaces to the various Census data sets. The development of all learning and teaching materials will be carried out in conjunction with a rigorous process of consultation and formative evaluation with potential end users. An early objective of the project is to set up a broad network of partnerships with key individuals across the HE learning and teaching sector, including relevant Learning and Teaching Support Network (LTSN) subject centres. More focused formative evaluation will be conducted in live teaching environments. Although the FE audience will not be formally involved in the testing of learning and teaching materials it is planned to engage with FE to understand how useful the materials would be and identify further developments.

Outcomes

The outcome of this project will ensure that class based students, distance learners and teachers gain a better understanding and knowledge of the nature, extraction, manipulation, visualisation, mapping, statistical analysis and interpretation of historical and contemporary Census data and related materials. The project will make it easier to access data, metadata, contextual materials, data exploration/visualisation tools and appropriate learning and teaching resources, thereby fostering student centred learning and the development of appropriate skills for undertaking project work.

The key deliverables of the project will be:

• A range of supporting learning and teaching resources for teachers and students (eg tutorials, exercises, exemplar based case studies)
• A portal to facilitate resource discovery of Census data and associated learning and teaching materials
• Improved Web-based data extraction and data exploration/visualisation interfaces to the CHCC suitable for student use
• Enhancement of the CHCC through adding and linking other information