Developing Open Data Spreadsheet Applications for Undergraduate Mass Sections
Abstract: This session discusses the development and deployment of open data spreadsheet applications in undergraduate Management Information Systems mass sections at a tier-one research university in the Southern region of the United States. Our analytics projects deployed in face-to-face, hybrid, and online environments allow for students to practice computer and information literacy skills from the classroom on relevant contemporary data sets that go beyond small scale traditional publisher created assignments and have future workforce relevance. Students apply a complex set of skills as they work with open government data sets from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Transportation, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. This session describes changes made to coursework over the last three years as the presenters developed and deployed assignments and assessments based on the same terms and concepts as before but using government and industry open data sets to allow students to solve real-life problems. The presenters share their selection criteria for open data, the process of mapping out learning objectives from traditional textbook assignments onto free resources, the development of assessment and evaluation questions, their deployment through Blackboard groups and random pools.