Innovations in Data Use and Development of Practice Communities

Undergraduate / Graduate

Over the past decade, data and better data systems and use has become a central reform strategy in education, social services, health care & community development. In a short period, many barriers to data access have been removed. The internet, software, & other tech advances have made getting, assembling, analyzing & disseminating data cheap and easy. Access to data has shifted from the problem of not having enough data to having too much. There are many compelling examples of where professionals have used data to transform practice. There are however, many more examples where professionals struggle to make sense of the deluge of info and data that they face daily. Although the tech barriers to data use have been taken away, how to use data to maximize its benefits is an open question. This course will focus on 3 sets of questions: 1) What makes data actionable? 2) What do we know about creating conditions that promote the effective use of data and build professional's capacity to use data effectively to drive change? 3) What is the role for external partners, research, & research practice partnerships? We will draw on examples in education, medicine, social services, community & youth development. Outside speakers will expose us to approaches in Chicago and nationally. Students will complete a final project that will bring together the pieces of the course into a concept paper and framework for using data effectively to drive improvement in an area of their choice.