In today's world, understanding how to analyze big data is a significant tool for students, scientists, and citizens alike-and a key topic during both speeches at the 2019 Research Teachers Conference.
During their speeches, Lisa Purcell, Senior Scientist at Regeneron and Ruth Krumhansl, founder of the Oceans of Data Institute, both offered recommendations(推荐信) to more than 200 teachers at the conference on how to effectively use big data in the classroom.
"Having a lot of data is worthless unless you can make sense of it," Ruth said. "We have a responsibility to help our students make wise decisions in a very complex world. " Ruth explained that she is always seeking to increase data literacy(数据素养能力)and transform science education using big data. With these resources, students can conduct a variety of big data research projects -all from the classroom. Moreover, even students interested in non-STEM(科学、技术、工程、数学)careers like consulting or business analytics can benefit from understanding how to analyze and understand data sets.
Lisa stressed that teachers have the power to change the world by providing the next generation with the correct analytical tools and approaches to handle such large quantities of information. "You can train the next generation with them to do whatever, whether it's dealing with climate change, creating a vaccine (疫苗) for Ebola, or becoming the next President of the U. S. or Prime Minister of Canada," Lisa said.
Understanding big data is critical to students' success in school and their future careers. According to Ruth, students should begin working with data from a young age. This will enable students to practice analytical thinking as early as possible, and to begin asking important questions about what is going on in our world. And big data can help answer questions that students have. "Students are interested in what is known, but they get more excited about what is not known," she said.
