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Data Literacy – What is it and why does it matter?
  • Level Foundation
  • Course by University of Copenhagen
  • Offered by

About

You might already know that data is not neutral. Our values and assumptions are influenced by the data surrounding us - the data we create, the data we collect, and the data we share with each other. Economic needs, social structures, or algorithmic biases can have profound consequences for the way we collect and use data. Most often, the result is an increase of inequity in the world. Data also changes the way we interact. It shapes our thoughts, our feelings, our preferences and actions. It determines what we have access to, and what not. It enables global dissemination of best practices and life improving technologies, as well as the spread of mistrust and radicalization. This is why data literacy matters. A key principle of data literacy is to have a heightened awareness of the risks and opportunities of data-driven technologies and to stay up-to-date with their consequences. In this course, we view data literacy from three perspectives: Data in personal life, data in society, and data in knowledge production. The aim is threefold: 1. To expand your skills and abilities to identify, understand, and interpret the many roles of digital technologies in daily life. 2. To enable you to discern when data-driven technologies add value to people’s lives, and when they exploit human vulnerabilities or deplete the commons. 3. To cultivate a deeper understanding of how data-driven technologies are shaping knowledge production and how they may be realigned with real human needs and values. The course is funded by Erasmus+ and developed by the 4EU+ University Alliance including Charles University (Univerzita Karlova), Sorbonne Unviersity (Sorbonne Université), University of Copenhagen (Københavns Universitet), University of Milan (Università degli studi di Milano), and University of Warsaw (Uniwersytet Warszawski).

Modules

1.1 Introduction to the Course

    • 1 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
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1 Discussions

  • Your view on data literacy

1 Videos

  • 1.1 Introduction to the Course

3 Readings

  • Internet Service Providers Are Collecting -and Sharing- Vast Amounts of Information About Customers
  • A Look at What ISPs Know About You
  • 1.1 Further Reading and Resources

1.2 Revealing the Infrastructure of Digital Advertising

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • 1.2 Quiz

1 Discussions

  • Who tracks you?

1 Videos

  • 1.2 Revealing the Infrastructure of Digital Advertising

2 Readings

  • Digital AdTech: The Complete Guide
  • Web Tracking's Opaque Business Model of Selling Users

1.3 Personal Data & the Problems of Empowerment

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • 1.3 Quiz

1 Videos

  • 1.3 Personal Data & the Problems of Empowerment

1 Readings

  • Empowering Resignation: There's an App for That

1.4 Legal Aspects, Security and Privacy

    • 1 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • 1.4 Quiz

1 Videos

  • 1.4 Legal Aspects, Security and Privacy

3 Readings

  • Education on Cyber Security Issues Under EU Law
  • Measuring the GDPR's Impact on Web Privacy
  • 1.4 Further Reading and Resources

2.1 Attention Economy

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
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1 Discussions

  • Should information be regulated?

1 Videos

  • 2.1 The Attention Economy

2 Readings

  • The Attention Economy
  • 2.1 Further Reading and Resources

2.2 Journalism, Data and Democracy

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • 2.2 Quiz

1 Discussions

  • Can you think of more examples?

1 Videos

  • 2.2 Journalism, Data and Democracy

2 Readings

  • Clarifying Journalism's Quantitative Turn
  • 2.2 Further Reading and Resources

2.3 How to Find the Truth in the Network

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • 2.3 Quiz

1 Discussions

  • How would you rate these websites?

1 Videos

  • 2.3 How to Find the Truth in the Network

2 Readings

  • Educating for Misunderstanding
  • 2.3 Further Reading and Resources

3.1 Can Algorithms Become Humane?

    • 2 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
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1 Discussions

  • Are you scared or hopeful?

2 Videos

  • 3.1a Can Algorithms Become Humane? (Part 1)
  • 3.1b Can Algorithms Become Humane? (Part 2)

3 Readings

  • How AI can be used as a source for good
  • Myths, mis- and preconceptions of artificial intelligence: A review of the literature
  • 3.1 Further Reading and Resources

3.2 Algorithms Improving Infrastructures

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • 3.2 Quiz

1 Videos

  • 3.2 Algorithms Improving Infrastructures

2 Readings

  • Algorithmic Game Theory: Introduction and Examples
  • 3.2 Further Reading and Resources

3.3 Machine Learning for Achieving SDGs: An Ecosystem Monitoring Case

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Plugin
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • 3.3 Quiz

1 Videos

  • 3.3 Machine Learning for Achieving SDGs: An Ecosystem Monitoring Case

2 Readings

  • Understanding Machine Learning
  • 3.3 Further Reading and Resources

3.4 Computational Social Science

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • 3.4 Quiz

1 Videos

  • 3.4 Computational Social Science

2 Readings

  • Computational Social Science
  • Manifesto of Computational Social Science

3.5 Computer Science for All, and as an Educational Endeavor

    • 1 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • 3.5 Quiz

1 Videos

  • 3.5 Computer Science for All, and as an Educational Endeavor

3 Readings

  • Seymour Papert- Father of Educational Computing
  • Developing Computational Thinking in Compulsory Education- Implications for policy and practice
  • Relations between mathematics and programming in school: juxtaposing three different cases

End-of-course reflection

    • 1 Discussion
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1 Discussions

  • Data literacy: importance, necessary actions, and challenges

Auto Summary

Discover the significance of data literacy in this foundational personal development course by Coursera. Explore how data influences our values, social structures, and knowledge production, while learning to identify and interpret data's role in daily life. Developed by the 4EU+ University Alliance, this course is ideal for those looking to understand the impact of data-driven technologies on society and cultivate critical awareness. Available with Starter and Professional subscription options, it’s perfect for anyone keen to navigate the complexities of the digital age.

Morten Misfeldt
Instructors

Morten Misfeldt

Joanna Osiejewicz
Instructors

Joanna Osiejewicz

Christian Igel
Instructors

Christian Igel

Floriana Gargiulo
Instructors

Floriana Gargiulo

Rasmus Helles
Instructors

Rasmus Helles

Irina Shklovski
Instructors

Irina Shklovski

Martin Loebl
Instructors

Martin Loebl

Robin Engelhardt
Instructors

Robin Engelhardt

Sergio Splendore
Instructors

Sergio Splendore