Impact of open data on education : Using open datasets as an open educational resource

Abstract

The objective of this thesis work was to introduce the concept of Open Data and how its application in the education sector as an Open Educational Resource can have an impact on teaching, learning and research. Additionally, the work also discusses the relevant tools and skills needed to utilize Open Datasets for educational purposes, and the challenges involved in using Open Datasets for teaching and learning tools. The theoretical work of this thesis is based on literature review examines the different formats, types and structures Open Data. The benefits of using Open Data for teaching and learning purposes, and the new innovations in Open Education.To understand the Open Data phenomena better, attention was also drawn to Data visualization and its significance in the field of education. Finally, this thesis work shows that Open Data is a very important resource that has a very big impact on the way people teach and learn and can be used effectively to transform and revolutionize the education sector by making teaching, learning and research affordable by reducing costs, providing opportunities to people to access free education as well as enhancing skill development of learners and teachers. However, getting valuable information from large volumes of Open Data requires the right tools and skills needed to manipulate data. Similarly, understanding and interpreting the data requires both soft and hard or technical skills such as statistical, programming and communication.