Building Data Literacy in Primary Education: Online Teacher Development and Professional Networks

• In Event: AERA Research in Progress Roundtable Session Five
  In Invited Roundtable: Research-in-Progress RT047 (Sunday)

Abstract

This study explores how early-career primary teachers can be supported to teach data literacy through an online professional development course. Although data literacy is increasingly important, teacher education programs provide limited preparation, especially at the primary level. The course was developed and refined through design-based research, piloted, and is now in its final implementation with teachers in Scotland. A mixed methods embedded design is applied: qualitative data from interviews, surveys, and forums are analysed thematically, alongside quantitative pre- and post-test surveys. Initial pre-test results show low self-efficacy in teaching data literacy, while pilot findings indicated teachers valued and applied the course content. The study examines the effectiveness, applicability, and contribution of the course to strengthening data education in primary schools.

Authors

• Mustafa Ciftcioglu, University of Edinburgh

• Judy Robertson, University of Edinburgh

• Serdar Abaci, University of Edinburgh