How can students develop the competencies to actively participate in open data ecosystems?
This question guided the iterative development of a game-oriented learning design for schools. The Open Data Newsroom is a role-playing game designed to help young students (aged 14 to 16) engage with open data while solving real-world problems. The game immerses players in the role of data journalists investigating a local environmental mystery. Following an authentic inquiry process, students practice essential competencies in data literacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
How does the game work?
In the game, students adopt the role of data journalists to solve a local environmental mystery in a simulated open data ecosystem. The game is played in schools lasting around 3 hours. The classroom is transformed into a newsroom where interdisciplinary teams of data journalists work in unravelling several incidents affecting local teenagers, schools and their surrounding environment. At first, these seem like separate events, but through the investigation and analysis of open data, students uncover a deeper water and environmental issue caused by a company. The game develops following an authentic open data practice. Students work on drawing storylines from articles, reports and information about the cases. To later, navigate an open data repository with sets of data visualisations about different aspects of their cases. Geographical and water quality open data are essential to unravel the mystery by analysing the impact in several locations and time periods (Celis Vargas, Magnussen, et al., 2024; Celis Vargas, Papageorgiou, et al., 2024). Furthermore, students elaborate on their storylines based on data and present their solution to the citizens in a Press Conference. The teacher or external facilitator plays the role of the editor, guiding the process of the students and making critical questions to challenge the data behind their hypotheses and solutions.
How can you access the game?
I am excited to launch an open repository where educators can access all materials, including game instructions and the link to the platform.
Following a design-based research methodological approach, The Open Data Newsroom was developed through iterative interventions in Danish schools (7th to 9th grade). The narrative, challenges, and datasets are grounded on the local context, making them highly relevant for students. However, educators from other regions can adapt the game to their own communities.
By playing The Open Data Newsroom, students gain hands-on experience with open data, gaining awareness on its importance for understanding and solving real problems. The game helps them to strengthen essential skills in today’s data-driven world.
If you play the game, please get in touch. I would love to hear about your experience! Your insights will enrich my research, and I would be happy to share ideas on how to adapt it to your own context.
Author:
Alejandra Celis Vargas
cacv@ikp.aau.dk
Aalborg University Copenhagen, Denmark
