Data literacy for learning analytics

Abstract

This workshop explores how data literacy impacts on learning analytics both for practitioners and for end users. The term data literacy is used to broadly describe the set of abilities around the use of data as part of everyday thinking and reasoning for solving real-world problems. It is a skill required both by learning analytics practitioners to derive actionable insights from data and by the intended end users, such that it affects their ability to accurately interpret and critique presented analysis of data. The latter is particularly important, since learning analytics outcomes can be targeted at a wide range of end users, some of whom will be young students and many of whom are not data specialists. Whilst data literacy is rarely an end goal of learning analytics projects, this workshop aims to find where issues related to data literacy have impacted on project outcomes and where important insights have been gained. This workshop will further encourage the sharing of knowledge and experience through practical activities with datasets and visualisations. This workshop aims to highlight the need for a greater understanding of data literacy as a field of study, especially with regard to communicating around large, complex, data sets.