Discover, explore, and use free data to understand your world!
By the end of this 1-hour session, students will understand what open data is, why it matters, and will have completed a hands-on activity using real open data — either mapping their school neighborhood on OpenStreetMap or creating a chart from real World Bank data.
بعد إكمال هذه الجلسة، سيتمكن الطالب من:
✅ Basic computer skills (browser, keyboard, mouse)
✅ An internet connection and a web browser (Firefox recommended)
✅ No prior knowledge of data, maps, or coding needed
✅ A parent/teacher email to create an OpenStreetMap account (or pre-created accounts)
Every tool in this session is free, open source, and works on any computer (Windows, Linux, macOS, Chromebook). No installations needed for the core activities — everything runs in the browser.
1. نشاط عملي: Successfully make one edit on OpenStreetMap OR create one chart from real data
2. اختبار قصير: 5 multiple-choice questions at the end of the session (see below)
3. تأمل: Students write 2 sentences: "One thing I learned" and "One thing I want to explore more"
📜 الشهادة: Students who complete the activity + score 3/5 or higher on the quiz receive the Alin Li Open Data Explorer certificate
Icebreaker: "What map app do you use?" Discussion about maps in daily life.
Simple explanation with 3 real examples kids can relate to. The Recipe Analogy.
Teacher shows OSM, zooms into the school, shows what's mapped and what's missing.
5-minute break. Students stretch, get water.
Students choose Activity A (OpenStreetMap editing) or Activity B (Data Chart). 20 minutes of guided practice.
يشارك 3–4 طلاب ما رسموه أو عرضوه بيانيًا. ثم تناقش الصف النتائج.
5-question quiz + 2-sentence reflection writing.
Key takeaways, resources for home, certificate announcement.
Closed data is like a restaurant that serves amazing cake but keeps the recipe secret. You can eat it, but you can't make it yourself or share it.
البيانات المفتوحة is like a baker who posts the recipe online for free. Anyone can read it, bake the cake, change the recipe (add chocolate!), and share it with friends. The recipe is free for everyone, forever.
OpenStreetMap — الخريطة المجانية التي بناها 10 ملايين متطوع. مثل Wikipedia، ولكن للخرائط!
Every weather app uses open weather data. The measurements come from government weather stations — free for all!
Google Maps knows your bus times because cities publish schedules as open data. Any app can use it!
In 2010, a huge earthquake hit Haiti. Rescue teams arrived but had NO detailed maps of the streets! Google and Apple hadn't mapped it — it wasn't "profitable." So thousands of volunteers worldwide opened OpenStreetMap, traced buildings and roads from satellite photos, and created the best map of Haiti in 48 hours. استخدمت فرق الإنقاذ هذه الخرائط للعثور على الناجين. أنقذ أشخاص عاديون — جالسون في منازلهم — الأرواح بإضافة بيانات إلى خريطة مجانية. That's the power of open data.
تعني البيانات المفتوحة أن المعرفة متاحة للجميع — لا لمن يستطيعون الدفع فقط. المعرفة ملك للجميع.
Goal: Each student adds at least ONE real thing to OpenStreetMap — a shop, a park bench, a footpath, a school building, or any feature near your school that is missing from the map.
Before the session, check OSM for your school area and note 5–10 things that are missing (shops, paths, buildings). Write them on the board as "mapping challenges" for students. This gives direction and makes it a fun hunt!
Goal: Each student picks a country, downloads real data from the World Bank, and creates a bar chart or line chart comparing something interesting.
Easy (ages 9–11): Internet users (% of population) — compare 5 countries over 10 years. The chart is dramatic and easy to discuss!
متوسط (الأعمار 12–14): متوسط العمر المتوقع عند الولادة — قارن بلدك مع 4 دول أخرى. لماذا يرتفع في بعضها؟ ماذا يخبرنا ذلك عن الرعاية الصحية؟
• What surprised you about the data?
• Why do you think some countries score higher than others?
• Could this data help a government make better decisions?
• What other data would you want to see?
Answer all 5 questions. You need 3/5 to pass!
1. «شيء تعلمته اليوم عن البيانات المفتوحة: _______________»
2. «شيء أود استكشافه أكثر: _______________»
Students can write this on paper or type it. Collect reflections to understand what resonated and what needs follow-up.
🗺️ openstreetmap.org — Keep mapping! Add more to your neighborhood
📊 data.worldbank.org — Explore data for any country in the world
🆘 tasks.hotosm.org — Help map areas that need it (disaster response!)
🌤️ open-meteo.com — Free weather data API — track your city's weather!
خريطة 5 more things in your neighborhood on OpenStreetMap this week. Take a walk, notice shops, paths, benches, and trees — then add them to the map when you get home. Bring a screenshot of your edits to the next session!
تخفف البيانات المفتوحة الحواجز بين الناس والمعرفة. تعلمت اليوم استخدامها. والآن انطلق وشاركها! ✨
This session is designed to meet HAKA e-course quality criteria:
At the end of the session, ask students to rate (thumbs up / middle / down):
1. هل كانت الجلسة ممتعة؟
2. هل كان الشرح سهل المتابعة؟
3. هل تود رسم مزيد من الخرائط في المنزل؟
Collect reflections and quiz scores. Use them to improve the next session.