Big Data: A Big Sell or Oversold in Professions Education

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

We live in a sea of data. Some of it streams actively to our attention; some accumulates passively and inertly; some anticipates need; and a lot produce short-lived records of who is where when. The capacity to produce this information is available and could be relevant to education at all levels and may be most useful in high stakes professions education and continuing competence.
This symposium presents three aspects of the Big Data challenge. Cestone and Stoddard introduce and frame the topic for professions education; Park and Tekian present an example in learner analytics and Roberts develops the concept of a ‘quantitative self’ to support life-long learning.

Sub Unit

• Division I - Education in the Professions

Chair

• Lynn Curry, Curry Corporation

Papers

• Big Data: How Do We Get It and What Do You Do With It? - Christina M. Cestone, Drexel University College of Medicine; Hugh A. Stoddard, Emory University

• Synthesizing and Reporting Learner Analytics: Considerations for Measurement and Validity - Yoon Soo Park, University of Illinois at Chicago; Ara Tekian, University of Illinois at Chicago

• The Concept of the "Quantitative Self" and Its Use in Developing Lifelong Learners - Trudie Elizabeth Roberts, University of Leeds

Discussant

• David B. Swanson, American Board for Medical Specialities