Detail Data holds first Open Data in a Day training course

Detail Data staff and David Tarrant (ODI)

The Detail Data project hosted its first 'Open Data in a Day' training for participants from the voluntary and community sector in Northern Ireland.

The training is an interactive one-day course designed to give participants (no previous data experience required) an introduction to the concept and usage of open data: data that anyone can access, use and share.

The Open Data Institute, a world-leading centre of learning, network and innovation around open data, delivered the course. David Tarrant, from the ODI's Learning Team, was our facilitator. Dave is very knowledgeable and experienced in both the practice of open data and in developing and running training courses, having created the first undergraduate course focusing on open data at the University of Southampton. 

By the end of the day we had covered:

What open data is, its benefits and opportunities

Case studies of successful open data projects

How to minimize risks by understanding licensing and certificates

How to discover and use open data

The course is designed for people interested in using and benefiting from open data. By covering issues around licensing and making open data usable, it is also helpful for organisations who want to publish their own data and make it open.

The first part of the day focused on the concept of 'openness': encouraging participants to think critically about what open really means, and why data should be open, as well as some important legal concepts.

As well as understanding the definition of open, the practical application of open data in real-world case studies was explored, including a brief history of the open movement to the current day. We also covered some of the key skills and processes required in working with open data.

Having brought their own laptops along, the participants were also guided through some practical exercises in exploring open data and understanding how to overcome some of the difficulties and obstacles in skillfully using data. Dave was always on hand to help out when the tasks got a bit tricky.

The course is proving very popular. The next 'Open Data in a Day' is scheduled for February 2016, but is already booked out. A few places remain for 6 September 2016, but even though that's a year away you'll have to be fast! Follow this link to book your free place.

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