Developing the Collection of Historical and Contemporary Census Data and Related Materials (CHCC) into a Major Learning and Teaching Resource

Background/Context

Through a number of strategic investments by both the JISC and the ESRC, the UK academic community has access to a Collection of Historical and Contemporary Census data and related resources (CHCC) which are available in digital format. Whilst individual data sets are used extensively in research they are significantly under used in learning and teaching programmes within Higher Education. There is clear evidence that the CHCC could be used more widely in learning and teaching programmes within Higher Education. This project is the result of combining three separate bids that were made in response to JISC Circular 5/99: Developing the DNER for Learning and Teaching. It will contribute to the DNER, and increase use of the CHCC in learning and teaching, by improving accessibility to the primary data resources; developing an integrated set of learning and teaching materials; improving awareness about the contexts in which Census data can be used in learning and teaching; integrating contextual materials; providing access to web-based data exploration/visualisation tools and developing resource discovery tools.

Aims and Objectives

The central aim of the project is to develop the Collection of Historical and Contemporary Census data and related materials (CHCC) into a major DNER learning and teaching resource.

The key objectives are to:

• Promote increased and more effective use of network based data services for problem based learning and student project work across a broad cross-section of learning and teaching programmes
• Develop an integrated web-based learning and teaching system that links together data extraction and visualisation/ exploration tools with comprehensive learning and teaching resources
• Significantly increase the Census user base by increasing use of the CHCC in learning and teaching
• Build new user communities by promoting increased awareness of the CHCC and its learning and teaching potential
• Improve the productivity of teachers by significantly reducing the overheads required to incorporate Census data related resources into learning and teaching programmes
• Improve access to key primary data sources and related resources
• Minimise the delays in getting the key 2001 Census outputs used in learning and teaching

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