This workshop deals with the issue of Open Science, with a focus on applying Open Data to research in networked learning (NWL). The workshop targets both researchers and practitioners interested in the use of raw Open Data coming out of NWL research.
Workshop Description Open Science is an approach promoted by the European Commission that has been developing internationally for about ten years. In the field of research on NWL, however, the difficulties for opening up research have led to intrinsic, ongoing debates. A subtle aspect of this situation relates the poor appropriation and utilisation of scientific research products in the pedagogical field by potential users (stakeholders in the education and training system). As a matter of fact, educational data extracted from Learning Management Systems and Social Networks pose ethical problems as well as data literacy challenges both for the researchers (making data readable and usable) and the end users (reading and using data). Therefore, the specific case of Open Data (a relevant and innovative part of the Open Science scheme) should be discussed as a resource for NWL research. Data produced in this field is not limited to educational data-mining procedures, but encompasses a variety of research methodologies that yield diversified types of data, which in time implicates diversified ways of treating, sharing, and using them. Learning some of these principles and tools, and discussing them in the context of our current practices as researchers in the field of NWL, could be a starting point toward unraveling problems and coordinating efforts for further action. Accordingly, the workshop will be organised in two simple phases: 1- A conceptual introduction will provide the basis for understanding and discovering the principles, policy context, and existing practices relating to openness in overall research. 2- A “hands on” activity in which participants will apply the above concepts to their respective NWL practices and research; participants will discuss both practical and deontological implications of their findings. Participant Engagement Our approach to participant engagement will touch on multiple professional learning principles: significant knowledge that can be rapidly transferred to professional practice; reflection on prior knowledge and future practices; exploration of deontological positions; and the creation of a discipline/area of professional practice. While the workshop focuses on the participants’ specific experiences and attempts to promote their professional learning, its results could also be seen as a springboard for the research community of educational technologies and NWL to reflect upon and discuss the principles and application of Open Science. Along the process, we will adopt self-diagnosis tools on Open Science, an automatic response system, and Social Media to collect data and share reflections that will be opened to the research community. Participant Outcomes The workshop will aim to discover, reflect upon, and achieve concrete instruments to apply an Open Science perspective in NWL research.
