Introducing Data Literacy University of Cambridge

Overview

Throughout the Introducing Data Literacy course from the University of Cambridge you'll:

• Understand the types, uses, and quality of data that can be gathered from assessments, including primary vs secondary and qualitative vs quantitative data.
• Learn how to critically evaluate the reliability and relevance of assessment data, including its shelf life and sources.
• Explore how assessment data is represented (e.g. grades, percentiles, standardised scores) and the reasons for using these formats.
• Develop the skills to use assessment data to make informed decisions about students, populations, and the assessments themselves.
• Discover how correlation and baseline assessments can be used to predict future student performance.
• Gain practical experience in interpreting and working with item-level data for formative and evaluative purposes.
• Build confidence in identifying and addressing issues with the use of assessment data in different contexts.
• Have anytime access to our virtual learning environment within the weekly schedule, enabling you to learn flexibly at your own pace.

• Connect with other practitioners as you share insights and discuss key topics in assessment data.

Key facts:

• Identify the various forms of data that can be collected and obtained from assessments.
• Understand the different forms in which assessment data can be represented and identify which forms may be most appropriate for our purposes.
• Explore statistical and graphical methods that can be used to investigate and summarise assessment data.
• Critically use data gathered from assessments to make inferences about individual students, populations of students, and our assessments themselves.
• Understand how we can use assessment data to monitor and predict student performance, and appreciate the uncertainty involved in doing so.