Promoting use of numeric datasets in learning and
teaching through enhanced local support

Robin Rice, Edinburgh University Data Library 
Melanie Wright, Data Archive, University of Essex

This paper will report on a project in progress: "Using Numeric
Datasets in Learning and Teaching, " funded by JISC, the UK Joint
Information Systems Committee for Higher Education. Making effective
use of numeric data requires a greater range and depth of skill, more
preparation, and more time than printed materials or bibliographic
databases; and students and teachers require more support than is
generally provided. While some problems can be solved by the data
providers themselves, and others by a nationally co-ordinated approach
to support for learning and teaching, others can only be overcome at
the local level. By examining patterns at the institutional level,
this proposal seeks to generate knowledge about good practice, and
pitfalls faced by those charged with supporting teachers and learners
wishing to make use of national data resources. The objectives of the
project partners from two university data libraries and three national
data centres are:

- To establish a short-life Task Force on Using Data in Teaching and
Learning, made up of local data service representatives and users of
data services
- To investigate the existing use of numeric data in learning and
teaching through a national sample survey and case studies
- To investigate the existing forms of local data service support
- To carry out national studies to achieve these objectives and report
back to JISC.