UCI Feature
UCI Launches Data Literacy Tools: Compass MAPSS and Data GPS
Embracing a campus-wide data culture, the University is preparing faculty and staff for the future of higher education
As part of the University’s commitment to data-driven student success, UC Irvine is launching the Compass MAPSS certification program: a series of data analytics courses for campus faculty and staff. Aimed at promoting data literacy for both technical and non-technical roles, the program, which is officially titled UCI Metrics & Analytics Promoting Student Success, consists of online and in-person courses ranging from data visualization and ethics to using data in team decision making. Crafted with our staff and faculty in mind, the courses are designed to be freely navigable, include both general and UCI-specific content, incorporating role-specific learning paths. The University is also launching Compass Data GPS, a community of practice forum with training resources, job aids, discussion boards, and expert advisors. Both tools will be available on the Compass website starting Oct 17, 2023.
“The objective was to establish a campus-wide data culture where end users are equipped with self-service skills,” says Astrud Reed, Compass Community of Practice Manager and creator of MAPSS. According to Reed, the inspiration behind MAPSS was an amalgam of wanting to provide faculty and staff with necessary 21st-century data literacy skills and aiding the Compass mission to provide a centralized data source for student data, break down information silos, and promote data integrity.
The MAPSS certificate program cements UC Irvine as a leader in higher education when it comes to 21st-century data training and infrastructure. Reed notes that according to her research, MAPSS is the first to attempt a campus wide community of practice among colleges and universities, and she hopes to establish UC Irvine’s efforts as a model for other institutions looking to launch similar communities of practice around data literacy.
“Communities of practice are generally built around a specific technique, application, or role, and tend to be small,” said Reed. “Our purpose is to use data to enhance student success through a holistic approach to the student experience. All of our faculty and staff play a vital role in this process, so every voice has value in aiding their colleagues and achieving our objectives.”
The MAPSS Certificate Program will exist as a part of Compass, the campus-wide initiative dedicated to empowering data-driven student success. “Our vision is to build a deep understanding of our students and perceive them as individuals along their own journey,” says Tom Andriola, vice chancellor for information technology and data and chief digital officer. “Through Compass and now through MAPSS, we are increasing our data literacy as an institution while we personalize the student experience and empower students through data to chart their own course.”
In addition to providing training on data and analytics fundamentals, MAPSS will also serve to introduce users to the Compass suite of data tools, including Compass Explorer and Compass navigators, allowing faculty and advising staff to use data to further enrich students’ academic experience and promote student success. Alongside MAPSS, Compass hosts other resources including Enrollment Management Analytics (EMA), Teaching and Learning Analytics (TLA), the Student Data Warehouse repository, and more services that bring relevant data to stakeholders.
UCI faculty and staff can now access Compass MAPSS and Data GPS starting October 17, 2023.