Abstract:

As defined in many publications, open data “is the name given to datasets which have been generated by international organizations, governments, NGOs and academic researchers, and made freely available online and openly-licensed”. Seismology was one of the science disciplines which promoted assiduously open data access as a way to maximize the use of the tremendous data volume gathered mainly by monitoring institutions and facilitate fundamental and applicative research. More and more seismic monitoring infrastructure also record and archive other kind of datasets used in conjunctions with earthquake recordings for multidisciplinary studies. Such examples are GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) data, infrasound recordings, potential field variations (magnetic, electric) or even meteorological data. All together represent a wealth of information not only for researchers or other interested parties but also for educators as so called Open Educational Resources (OER) to support different teaching and learning activities.

Recent studies show that, even if open access starts to be a practice, quite mandatory for different data collected using public funds, not easily can be spotted examples of good practices regarding the use of these data in educational (didactic) activities. In this direction educational research project should make the difference. Teachers can be “taught” how to properly design activities based on available data allowing students to gain experience working with the same raw data researchers use. Special educational software and apps could be developed and delivered to facilitate, at least in a pilot stage, access to data.

Since 2012, the Romanian Educational Seismic (ROEDUSEIS) project promoted the use of geophysical open data in Romanian schools and universities. This project is implemented by a consortium of research institute-university and private IT Company. The data consists mainly on seismic and GNSS records from the National Institute of Earth Physics real time database. Earthquake waveforms are used, starting with secondary schools, in activities that involve using ICT tools to record, retrieve and process seismograms as well as earthquake magnitude computing and graphic representation of the results. Sharing the results among participating schools also involve interaction and develop students communication skills. GNSS data supports physics, math, technology, geography, Earth science and process of science standards. The developed real “Data Repository” is a valuable tool in science classrooms to learn about high-precision GNSS technology, how to interpret GNSS data time series plots, and determine the general motion trend of a tectonic plate. Related to the benefits of using GNSS data to teach students, those are reflected in the academic research and can be differentiated to address a diversity of learners. GNSS is cutting-edge technology that is familiar to students; the data are presented as a class demonstration or via interactive whiteboards, printed, or accessed in a computer lab. Using (not simulated) real-time data, freely accessible, GNSS data builds interest, awareness and has broad applicability in geosciences. In this way, educators can help students to understand how data are generated, processed, analysed and interpreted by real scientist and develop their research , literacy and critical thinking skills by establishing ways for collaborations amongst students, researchers and academics.

Keywords:

Open data, seismology, earth science, education.