Capturing and collating UK census data, the Census Dissemination Unit (CDU) connects researchers, analysts and decision-makers with high-quality statistical outputs. This real-world data is also of great value in learning and teaching – as students and teachers in human geography at the University of Leeds have discovered.

Rather than using fictional or pre-configured datasets, developed purely for specific learning activities, the students at Leeds are extracting real-world data from the CDU themselves. This brings a range of benefits.

Learning the realities of census data

When students handle census data in its raw state, they soon learn the complexities and difficulties of working with it. As well as making studies more relevant and rewarding, this experience is excellent preparation for employment – and even improves job prospects.

Putting theory into context

Students use Casweb, the CDU's user-friendly web interface, as well as a Geographical Information System (GIS), to look at concentrations of ethnic groups in Leeds – a good way to demonstrate the Modifiable Areal Unit Problem (MAUP).

Motivation through meaningful scenarios

Real-world data gives teachers the opportunity to develop learning activities around situations that really matter to students – that build enthusiasm by sparking curiosity or personal interest. For example:

Students can analyse recent news stories to show how the media may rightly or wrongly depict census data. Or they can investigate the relationship between unemployment and ill health in a particular area of Leeds, and then make comparisons with their own home ward.

Improving employability

As they work through projects in IT labs, students can extract and re-extract data from Casweb as often as they like. As there's no risk of losing data, they can experiment with different methods, learning from their mistakes as they go. They gain the statistical, computer and information skills that employers look for, and create a portfolio of realistic project work to demonstrate their experience.

As Professor John Stillwell of the University of Leeds puts it:

"These new-found skills are going to make them marketable in the world outside."

Learning to learn

Working with census data, the Leeds students have to use a range of online tools and software packages, each with its own features, flaws and idiosyncrasies. So, another valuable skill they acquire is how to learn a new system. This takes lateral and critical thinking, and prepares them for learning any new application they may encounter in the workplace.

Professor John Stillwell is very clear about the benefits this brings:

"That's why a lot of our kids who go out of this department, go down to get a job in Leeds City Planning Dept, or XYZ Ltd, and do very very well!"