Ordnance Survey holds free open data masterclasses

People across Great Britain are being given the opportunity to gain a greater understanding of open data, and the tools and techniques to use open datasets, through a series of free masterclasses hosted by Ordnance Survey.

Following on from the success of the two previous open data masterclass series, individuals, developers, community groups, social entrepreneurs, commercial and government organisations are invited to attend the latest series of masterclasses. The masterclasses are run by Ordnance Survey’s GeoVation initiative and supported by Horizon Digital Economy Research.

Those participating stand to benefit from a greater understanding of the opportunities around open data; as well as being provided with the tools and techniques needed to use and analyse a range of open datasets relevant to them.

The open data masterclasses will combine theory and practical sessions and provide participants the opportunity to use and harness free-to-use open datasets, including Ordnance Survey’s own free-to-use OS OpenData, now approaching its second anniversary, after being released on 1 April 2010.

Participants will learn a range of techniques, from data collection and processing, to data analysis and map visualisation. The focus on the day will be guided, hands-on practicals, using data from Ordnance Survey and data.gov.uk. Through the masterclasses, participants will have the opportunity to use and harness open datasets from various government departments and public-sector organisations including higher education, healthcare, transport and environment.

The content of the masterclasses is suitable for a wide spectrum of participants with various levels of IT experience, although some familiarity with web browsing and Microsoft Excel is assumed.

Ordnance Survey is able to offer up to 30 places at each masterclass, running from 9.30 am until 5.00 pm each day. Locations and dates of the sessions:

16 March – Open University, Milton Keynes http://odmcmiltonkeynes.eventbrite.co.uk/

23 March – Technium OpTIC Centre, St Asaph http://odmcstasaph.eventbrite.co.uk/

26 March – University of Manchester http://odmcmanchester.eventbrite.co.uk/

27 March – University of Cardiff http://odmccardiff.eventbrite.co.uk

29 March – Ordnance Survey, Southampton http://odmcsouthampton.eventbrite.co.uk

30 March – RGS (with IBG), London http://odmcrgs.eventbrite.co.uk/

Interested participants should click on the relevant link to reserve their space and obtain a masterclass ticket.

More information on OS OpenData is available on the Ordnance Survey website http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/products/os-opendata.html

Notes to editors: 

1. Ordnance Survey is Great Britain’s national mapping agency, providing the most accurate and up-to-date geographic data, relied on by government, business and individuals.

2. To download this news release visit www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/media. There you can also subscribe to our RSS feed. 

For more information from Ordnance Survey, please contact:

Rob Andrews – Head of Corporate Communications on 023 8005 5563 or robert.andrews@ordnancesurvey.co.uk

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