Fantastic Data – International

Fantastic Data – International

Delivery institution

Faculty of Psychology
SLATE (Centre for the Science of Learning and Technology)

Instructor(s):

Fredrik Breien and Barbara Wasson

Start date

7 October 2025

End date

25 November 2025

Study field

CHARM priority field

Study level

Study load, ECTS

2,5

Short description

Data is everywhere! Data is a prerequisite for, and at the same time a product of, all digital technologies, gadgets, and services from social media to online stores, fitness watches, the Internet of Things, and artificial intelligence. Data is as important to these as oxygen is to humans.
But what is data? Where does it come from? And what can it be used for?

The aim of the course is to provide participants with basic knowledge of what data and digitalisation are doing to us and the world we are part of, what kind of technology is behind it, and what you as a citizen can do to stay updated.

Participants will also acquire the necessary basic skills to perform critical thinking about the roles of data in society and in the world. Course content includes topics related to what data is, digitalisation, datafication, the data lifecycle, and data literacy.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the learner will be able to…
Knowledge:
• Explain digitalisation and datafication
• Explain what data is and where it comes from
• Explain characteristics of different types of data
• Describe the data lifecycle
Skills:
• Identify data in everyday life
• Identify areas of use for data
• Think critically about the role of data in society and in the world
General competencies:
• Explain data literacy
• Explain the meaning of data for various stakeholders
• Explain the meaning of data in society and in the world

Places available

1000

Course literature (compulsory or recommended):

The course literature is the online course Datareisen.no (offered in English and Norwegian). Relevant additional literature and articles will also be made available to students.

Planned educational activities and teaching methods:

• The course is conducted online over seven weeks
• The course starts with a digital synchronous introduction meeting
• The course is organized in six modules, each consisting of literature and exams (assignments and quizzes)
• Each week a new module is made available
• The course ends with a digital synchronous summary-meeting

Course code

DIGI150

Language

Assessment method

Portfolio assessment

Final certification

Transcript of records

Modality

Learning management System in use

MittUiB (Canvas)

Contact hours per week for the student:

Specific regular weekly teaching day/time

Digital introduction meeting 10/07/25 at 18:00 (CET) Digital summary meeting 11.18.25 at 18:00 (CET)

Time zone