Module 1.1: Introduction to Open Civic Data
Last updated
Last updated
This module introduces participants to open civic data, where to find open civic data and possible uses for open civic data.
What is open civic data?
Where can open civic data help and how can open civic data harm?
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.
Overview:
In 2007, a group of advocates developed a set of 8 principles of open data, 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, the principles of open data, and the "characteristics handout" to identify an example of “open data” and an example of “closed data.”
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?
