Data Literacy to Empower Learners
Neil Coulson | Data Literacy Manager, Transurban
With the explosion of data in the corporate world over the last 15- 20 years, companies have rushed to maximise the value of their data goldmine. Jumping on new trends, different platforms and data-driven strategies, most companies have been unable to extract the value they expected from data, in part because their workforce wasn't ready to embrace the paradigm-shifting world of data.
Data literacy is the missing link for many businesses, as it empowers learners to gain confidence with data that applies to them, and closes the gap between the "data teams", and the "business teams".
This presentation will disspell some data myths, offer a broadly applicable approach to data literacy, and how a human-centred mindset to data literacy provides the best outcome for the learner, the organisation and society as a whole.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Data literacy is not about technology.
- We are all data users / data workers.
- There is no one way into data, and not one particular course that can make you "data literate".
About Neil
Neil has 15 years’ experience within the learning and development of technology and data teams, from air traffic control, financial and data services. As the recipient of the 2021 AITD Mark Pompei Student Scholarship, he continues to pursue pedagogical, business and analytics development, with Graduate Diplomas in Management (Learning) and Leadership, cloud computing and data ethics certifications, and is completing his MBA.
It is this combination of interests that led him to data enablement, and working with organisations large and small to develop and deploy data literacy programs that are meaningful and relevant.
Neil is an award-winning playwright, producer and director, who enjoys leaning on this experience to make memorable and creative solutions to make data engaging.
