Civic Data Education Series
  • Civic Data Education Series
    • About
    • License
    • Instructor Guide
    • Feedback
  • Segment 1: Introducing Civic Data
    • Module 1.1: Introduction to Open Civic Data
    • Module 1.2: The Lifecycle of Open Civic Data
    • Module 1.3: A Critical Approach to Open Civic Data
  • Segment 2: Understanding Civic Data Ecosystems
    • Module 2.1: Identifying Civic Data Intermediaries
    • Module 2.2: Introduction to Civic Data Ecosystems
      • Module 2.2 Activities
    • Module 2.3: Assessing the Civic Data Needs of Communities
  • Segment 3: Preparing Libraries for Sharing their Data
    • Module 3.1: Selecting and Sharing Open Data
      • Module 3.1 Activities
    • Module 3.2: Protecting Privacy
    • Module 3.3: Metadata for Open Civic Data
    • Module 3.4: Data Documentation for Open Civic Data
      • Modules 3.3 & 3.4 Activities
    • Module 3.5: File Formats for Open Civic Data
  • Segment 4: Community Engagement through Civic Data
    • Module 4.1: Defining Data Visualization
    • Module 4.2: Telling Stories with Data
    • Module 4.3: Outreach on Open Civic Data
  • Segment 5: Using Civic Data
    • Module 5.1: Asking Data Driven Questions
    • Module 5.2: Answering Data Driven Questions Computationally
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On this page
  • Introduction
  • Instructional Materials
  • Video
  • Script and Slide Deck
  • Activity
  • Identifying Open Data
  • Additional Resources
  1. Segment 1: Introducing Civic Data

Module 1.1: Introduction to Open Civic Data

PreviousSegment 1: Introducing Civic DataNextModule 1.2: The Lifecycle of Open Civic Data

Last updated 2 years ago

Introduction

This module introduces participants to open civic data, where to find open civic data and possible uses for open civic data.

Guiding Questions

  • What is open civic data?

  • Where can open civic data help and how can open civic data harm?

Vignette

A patron visits their public library to investigate the availability of broadband Internet service. Specifically, the patron is interested in learning whether there are parts of their region where Internet access is not available. The librarian suggests that this query could be explored using open civic data and works with the patron to find the data. In the conversations between the patron and the librarian, they discuss what makes the data open civic data, where the data can be found, how such data could be helpful, and where the data could cause harm.

Instructional Materials

Video

Video Files

Script and Slide Deck

Script and Slide Deck Files

Activity

Identifying Open Data

Overview:

Answer the following:

  • Find an example of “open data." Describe what characteristics make this data “open.”

  • Find is an example of “closed data." Describe what characteristics make this data “closed.”

  • Are there steps that can be taken to open your “closed data” example?

Activity Files

Additional Resources

In 2007, a group of advocates developed a set of , advancing a set of characteristics that are now reflected in the data we now access through open data portals. Indeed, data exists on a spectrum, with "open" and "closed" on the extreme ends of the spectrum and degrees of openness between them.

In this activity, use what you’ve learned about open data, , and the to identify an example of “open data” and an example of “closed data.”

8 principles of open data
the principles of open data
"characteristics handout"
20MB
Module1.1_CaptionedRecording.mp4
Module 1.1 Captioned Video: Introduction to Open Civic Data mp4 File
15MB
Module1.1_UncaptionedRecording.mp4
Module 1.1 Uncaptioned Video: Introduction to Open Civic Data mp4 File
650KB
Module1.1Script.docx
Module 1.1 Script: Introduction to Open Civic Data Word Document File
115KB
Module1.1Script.pdf
pdf
Module 1.1 Script: Introduction to Open Civic Data PDF file
2MB
Module1.1Slides.pptx
Module 1.1 Slides: Introduction to Open Civic Data PowerPoint File
727KB
Module1.1Slides.pdf
pdf
Module 1.1 Slides: Introduction to Open Civic Data PDF File
484KB
Module1.1Activity.docx
Module 1.1 Activity: Identify Open Data Word Document File
161KB
Module1.1Activity.pdf
pdf
Module 1.1 Activity: Identify Open Data PDF File
612KB
Module1.1ActivityHandout.pdf
pdf
Module 1.1 Activity: Student Handout for Identify Open Data Activity PDF File
LogoDetroit Digital Justice Coalition Opening Data Zine | Detroit Community Technology Project
The Detroit Digital Justice Coalition's Opening Data zine explores open data from a community-centered, human rights perspective. The zine advocates for the digital justice principles of access, participation, common ownership, and healthy communities. Citation: Detroit Digital Justice Coalition. (2015). Opening Data.
http://detroitdjc.org/zines/
Module 1.1 Captioned Video: Introduction to Open Civic Data
LogoOpen Data Policy Hub | Why open data?SunlightCities
This resource by the Sunlight Foundation articulates the value of open data and the importance developing an open data policy to support an open data initiative. Citation: Sunlight Foundation. (n.d.). Why open data?
The 8 Principles of Open Government Data (OpenGovData.org)
In 2007, a group of open government advocates developed a set of eight principles of open government data. This site annotates the principles and provides links to additional reading. Citation: The Annotated 8 Principles of Open Government Data. Site maintained by Joshua Tauberer.
https://opendatapolicyhub.sunlightfoundation.com/why-open-data/
https://opengovdata.org/