Leanne Bowler
Professor, School of Information, Pratt Institute
iSchool Research Fellow
Traditional approaches to data literacy emphasize quantitative reasoning by focusing on
numeracy, statistics, and computer programming but data literacy is, more accurately, a
complex array of skills, knowledge, and humanistic reasoning to be applied throughout the
data life cycle. This includes a set of dispositions that facilitate the ability to critique data
practices, to contextualize data to broader contexts such as platforms, cyberinfrastructure,
and society, and to find meaning in data beyond statistical and mathematical arguments.
There are many questions as to how public libraries can approach something as complex
as data literacy in the voluntary “drop-in” setting of after-school library programs for
teens. Engagement may be the key and who but young people themselves should show us
what is interesting and meaningful to them. In this presentation, Leanne Bowler will talk
about her research in the area of youth data literacy at the public library, most recently
through the Data Literacy with, for, and by Youth research project. The study, framed by
principles of participatory design, asks, How can public libraries, with the participation of
young people, support the development of positive data habits of mind? It does more than
look at youth; the aim is to design, build, test, and evolve theory and practice around
informal data literacy education alongside youth, with the goal of building a holistic,
humanistic, and youth-oriented model of data literacy which incorporates socialawareness, critical approaches, and “goodness of fit” into STEM learning about data.
February 11, 2022, 11 am - 12 pm central
This will be a virtual event. The Zoom link will be
available on the CCB website prior to the event.
Here’re zoom details:
Time: Feb 11, 2022 11:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://illinois.zoom.us/j/89473098222?pwd=aFhKVzZUY3NMT1VQVEVkSjJ5dEVlQT09
Meeting ID: 894 7309 8222
Password: 916587
