DALIDA: DAta LIteracy Discussion workshops for Adults
Year Awarded
2020
Amount
€41,308
- Organisation:Trinity College Dublin (TCD)
- Audience:General Public
- Format:Informal Education
- Location:Dublin, national
Project Summary
Data literacy is a skill in which many adults are not proficient, and it appears that learning opportunities are limited. However, data literacy is essential in assessing and comprehending information presented in various media (ranging from politicians presenting data to global stories about COVID19 deaths). Data literacy implies critical thinking, and the skills involved are crucial to becoming responsible, involved, and contributing members of society. An understanding of data literacy should, therefore, be accessible to all.
We will design and deliver novel workshops on data literacy that will help the public acquire an awareness of how to think critically about data and its provenance and presentation. While open to the general public, the workshops are designed with, and developed for, people from socially, economically, or educationally disadvantaged groups as they are more prone to struggle with data literacy. Co-creation will ensure that the format and material resonate with the target audience.
Outputs include the organization of two co-creation events, one pilot workshop, and five workshops. We will make available a white paper summarizing the workshop’s discussions and results, an external evaluation of the events, and the workshop materials.
The workshops’ outcomes are increasing awareness and appreciation of data literacy (and STEM skills involved), its importance and relevance at the individual and societal level, and providing participants a starting point to encourage skill development. The workshops provide a forum through which adults learn about and interactively discuss data literacy, learning from researchers at one of Ireland’s leading technology research centres.