TeachingWithData.org is a collaborative project aimed at enhancing quantitative literacy among students and faculty in social sciences through the use of real data. The platform provides a range of resources, including data sets, classroom materials, and exercises, specifically tailored for undergraduate and K-12 education. Key partners include ICPSR and SSDAN, with a focus on improving teaching methodologies and engaging students in data analysis across various disciplines.

1. TeachingWithData.org: Example Presentation for Faculty/Grad StudentsOR Assessment Team WorkshopMay 25-26, 2010

2. Presentation Outline:Introducing the project partnersIntroducing TeachingWithData.orgGeneral overviewHow/When to use TwDFinding what you want, wanting what you findFuture directions

3. Project PartnersICPSR SSDANOthers involvedAmerican Economic Association Committee on Economic EducationAmerican Political Science AssociationAmerican Sociological AssociationAssociation of American GeographersScience Education Resource Center, Carleton College

4. Inter-university Consortium for Political & Social Research (ICPSR)World’s oldest and largest social science data archiveBegan in 1962 as ICPRMembership organization with 700+ members worldwide (non-members can use many resources)Summer Program in Quantitative Methods of Social Research

5. Current “Picture” of ICPSRCurrently 7,800 studies (64,800 data sets)Grouped into Thematic CollectionsAvailable in multiple formatsFederal funding allows parts of the collection to be openly availableData sources:GovernmentLarge data collection effortsPrincipal InvestigatorsRepurposingOther organizations

6. Undergraduate EducationFairly recent attentionResponse to facultyUndergrad users are fastest growing segmentNSF-funded projectsTeachingWithData.org (NSDL)Course, Curriculum, & Laboratory Improvement project to assess the effect of using digital materials on students’ quantitative literacy skills

7. SSDAN: Social Science Data Analysis NetworkStarted in 1995University-based organization that creates demographic media and makes U.S. census data accessible to policymakers, educators, the media, and informed citizens. Web sitesuser guides hands-on classroom computer materials

8. SSDANDataCounts! (www.ssdan.net/datacounts)Collection of approximately 85 Data Driven Learning Modules (DDLMs)Datasets (repackaged decennial census and American Community Survey)Target is lower undergraduate coursesCensusScope (www.censusscope.org)Maps, charts, and tables Demographic data at local, region, and national levelsKey indicators and trends back to 1960 for some variables Kids Count in the Classroom (www.ssdan.net/kidscount)Course modules and exercisesData resources and tools (tables, charts, maps)

10. SSDAN: CensusScopeCharts, Trends, and TablesAll available for states, counties, and metropolitan areas

11. TeachingWithData.orgNational Science Digital Library – Social Science PathwayGoal: Make it easier for faculty to use real data in classesUndergraduate (esp. “non-methods”)K(9)-12 effortsIncludes survey of ~3200 social science faculty

12. TwD.org (con’t)Repository of data-related materialsExercises, including games and simulationsStatic and dynamic maps, charts, tablesData PublicationsTagged with metadata for easy searching

13. Engaging Students Through DataPiques student interestSupporting Quantitative LiteracyRoughly 30% of 2-year college students and 20% of 4-year college students show below basic or basic quantitative literacy skills:These students could not, for example, estimate if their cars had enough gas to get to a gas station. (The Literacy of America’s College Students, American Institutes for Research, January 2006)Engages students with disciplines more fully Better picture of how social scientists workPrevents some of the feelings of “disconnect” between substantive and technical coursesOpens the door to the world of data13

14. When & How to Use TeachingWithData.orgShort answer: ANY time! and often!Long answer: Looking forBackground reading on pedagogical issues relating to quantitative literacy and using data in the classroomBackground information for teaching conceptsIdeas for creating own course exercises“Ready to go” exercisesDatasets related to particular topicsTypically instructors will search TwD first and point students directly to resources, but students can also go directly to the siteEspecially useful for graduate students beginning to think about teaching

15. Target Audience:Site primarily aimed at faculty teaching undergraduate social science courses (also grades 9-12)Resources useful in “non-methods/stats” courses as well as “technical courses”Think about it as teaching substantive content as well as teaching the quantitative skills

16. Disciplines:Currently covered:Anthropology, Economics, Environmental Studies, Geography, History, Political Science, Public Health, Public Policy, Social Work, SociologyNot a stretch: Criminal Justice, Demography, Education, Foreign Policy, Gerontology, Health and Medical Policy, Law/Legal Services, …

18. Finding What You Want SearchingSimple and advancedBrowsingFiltered search to narrow resultsStart with discipline or subject OR by type of resourcesHeading links list all, sub-links narrow search

24. Data Resources:Tables & FiguresTablesMapsCharts and other visualizationsExercises with dataDatasetsFor SPSS, SAS, Stata, and other packages.Extracts for educational useFull datasets

25. Classroom ResourcesTeaching SupportsLessons/LecturesActivities/Exercises/Assignments/ModulesSyllabi/Reading ListsReference ShelfTools for analysis, visualization, and course developmentEvents (conferences, webinars, etc.)Pedagogical resourcesData providersSuccess Stories

26. Faculty Submission (coming soon)Submission formSome elements allow for multiple valuesControlled vocabularies assist search

27. TwD Next Phases:Include resources for high school teachersAbility to link data to analysis and/or visualization toolsMechanism for faculty to rate and comment on resourcesPeer-reviewed materials and capability for faculty to upload their own resourcesCommunity building through professional associations and networks of users

28. For More Information:(Your info goes here!)Lynette HoelterInstructional Resources & Developmentlhoelter@umich.edu