Navigating Diverse Data Science Learning: Critical Reflections Towards Future Practice

TL;DR

This paper reflects on teaching a postgraduate Data Science course, emphasizing the need to adapt learning practices to the field's diverse backgrounds and sharing lessons for future teaching strategies.

Contribution

It provides insights and lessons learned from teaching Data Science to diverse students, highlighting the importance of adaptable learning approaches.

Findings

Diverse student backgrounds require flexible teaching methods

Lessons learned can inform future Data Science education

Adapting teaching practices improves learning outcomes

Abstract

Data Science is currently a popular field of science attracting expertise from very diverse backgrounds. Current learning practices need to acknowledge this and adapt to it. This paper summarises some experiences relating to such learning approaches from teaching a postgraduate Data Science module, and draws some learned lessons that are of relevance to others teaching Data Science.