PROJECT SUMMARY
‘Data Smart Schools’ is a three-year research project funded by the Australian Research Council (DP190102286). This project aims to investigate the use of digital data in schools and identify ways to improve its capture and use. Masses of digital data are generated within schools every day, but despite its potential, this data remains poorly used and understood. This project intends to work with school communities to develop innovative data tools and techniques to make more effective use of the data. The project outcomes are expected to include insights into the technical, informatic, organisational and social issues surrounding the (re)use of digital data in schools–then develop models of digital data ‘best practice’, leading to improved student outcomes, stronger teacher and parent engagement and better use of technical infrastructure investment.
BENEFIT AND IMPACT STATEMENT
Using in-depth case studies and participatory design research, this project intends to work with schools to develop a deep understanding of the (re)use of digital data, then develop innovative tools/techniques to use the data more effectively. This research intends to contribute to policy and industry debates over data access and privacy; as well as systems interoperability; and contribute to realising the potential of ‘big data’ and ‘open data’ in the public sector. It also expects to contribute to the emerging academic fields of critical data and learning analytics studies. The impact of this research is expected to be improved student outcomes, stronger teacher and parent engagement and better use of technical infrastructure investment.
A full (10 page) version of the original project proposal is available here [PDF]