Big, small and tiny data

Shand, Mark

Abstract

In environments shaped by big data, we explore the notions of small and even tiny data. In the transactional environments at universities (library services) we can glean valuable insights from big data (institution-wide, sector-wide, national, international) - observing trends and patterns. Small learning data provides a more local and nuanced picture - open to unwanted persuasion by anomalies and the unexpected behaviour of individuals. And we end with tiny data: the observable measured and unmeasured learning activities that staff witness everyday. The acknowledgement of these often-missed activities and their importance in the lived student journey - how do we, as data practitioners, respond to these tiny occurrences and how do we, as educators, respond to the demands of an increasing drive to capture these tiny learning moments?.

Through the course of a ‘day in the life’ of a student, we gather data from the lecture audience to dictate the course of a student and the data points they interact with - or miss. This audience participation brings the lecture to life, with form mirroring the subject of the decisions learners make and the types of data those decisions generate.

Citation

Shand, M. (2017, June). Big, small and tiny data. Presented at AULIC 2017, University of Bristol

• Presentation Conference Type: Lecture
• Conference Name: AULIC 2017
• Conference Location: University of Bristol
• Start Date: Jun 22, 2017
• End Date: Jun 22, 2017
• Deposit Date: Jan 3, 2020
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/4945951