Why Use Local Data?

Local data can be used as a hook to engage and motivate students to explore a concept; to build their data literacy and process of science skills; to help them explore issues that matter to their community; to understand how their existence fits into a wider context or system; to explore how their location compares to another in relation to local phenomena; and in numerous other ways. But what does research say about why we should focus on local data?

Research indicates that students learn more overall, in more depth, and retain their learning longer when they have ownership of their learning (National Research Council, 2012). The quickest way to help students develop that ownership is to have them collect the data themselves. This kind of hands-on work teaches them the ins and outs of the data, especially when the work involves identifying the question and answering it using the data. You can use local data in your teaching to help students feel connected to, empowered by, and engaged in the data they have collected themselves.

While local data can be collected by students, numerous professionals and citizen scientists in your area are also collecting data related to local issues, phenomena, and processes. Research indicates that students are more motivated to learn and engage in their learning when they investigate data that relates to their lives (Achieve, "Using Phenomena," 2016). What better way to connect your content to your students' lives than to use local data in your classroom?

In summary, there are multiple reasons to use local data in your teaching. It makes the content relevant; connects students to their own location while learning; and builds their data literacy while following successful pedagogical practices.