Guidance for Developing Robust Data-rich Activities

The following guidance related to data-rich activities emerged from participants in the 2024 Earth Educators' Rendezvous Improving the Sustainability of Data-rich Activities through the Community Contribution Tool workshop.

Data set sources, formats, longevity, and accessibility

It is important that the data sets:

1. Are scientifically valid and well-referenced (i.e., from a trustworthy source).
2. Are open-access and hosted on a long-term secure website.
   • Not behind paywalls.
   • On a site reasonably anticipated to be public indefinitely, particularly if the data involve time series.
3. Are exportable in file format/s that have long been standard (e.g., .csv or .docx).
4. Can be manipulated and analyzed using established, sustained, and (ideally) open-source software. 

Documentation necessary for instructors to adopt, modify, or update the activity

Documentation should:

1. Include instructions on: how to navigate to the data sources, how to acquire the exact same data sets, and recommended file formats. 
   • When possible, provide guidance on alternate sources (e.g., keyword searches) to find data should the original become unavailable or give links to other likely data providers.
2. List any required software and identify any constraints (e.g., campus computers may present hurdles to downloading or making a login will be required).
3. Address viable devices (e.g., cloud-based computer, laptop, mobile phone) and identify dependencies on specific operating systems (e.g., only works on Windows OS) or browsers (e.g., Chrome, not Firefox).
4. Provide information about where the data are used in the activity and which other documents will need updating if the data change (e.g., student worksheet, presentations, readings).

Additionally, please aim to:

1. Indicate if the data are from a one-time historical event or involve data that will rapidly change over time and thus need more frequent updating.
2. Identify other instructional resources that may be helpful in data use (e.g., tutorial for using GoogleEarth);
3. Specify whether similar data from other locations are also available if an instructor would like to adapt to another context/location.

Activity design includes learning objectives, prerequisites, critical thinking, and supporting resources

Additionally, participants of The Earth Educators' Rendezvous Improving the Sustainability of Data-rich Activities through the Community Contribution Tool workshop shared their expertise surrounding the implications of robust data sets in relation to the robustness of teaching activity design. Their guidance is:

Consider whether the data-rich activity:

1. Articulates clear learning objectives and assessments that are aligned with data use and defines prerequisite skills and knowledge for working with the data;
2. Provides the needed background resources so instructors and students know how the given method works and are prepared to analyze the data.
3. Allows for backup methods to data (e.g., prepared data set) so that if a link breaks, the activity is still possible to implement.

Additionally, it is worth noting how the data-rich activity promotes student learning. Consider whether the activity:

1. Allows for student skills to be advanced gradually, promotes students to think critically, and is relevant to their lives.
2. (If possible) allows students to acquire or augment the data themselves.
3. Should include any trigger warnings for students (e.g., recent disaster or vulnerable community).