Brief Overall Description of the Dataset:
Student names, school IDs, iPAD device information (e.g., MAC address), grade levels, classes, usage data (e.g., quiz scores, apps and videos watched).
Link: http://esparklearning.com/our-solution/#what-is-espark
Date Inventory Completed: 6/5/15
Screening
- Is the data collected opinion-based?
- Is the data collection recurring (must be collected at least annually)?
- Is there data available for 2013?
- For Education: Is the data collected at least the school level?
- Can we access the data by August 15th?
- Can the data be linked to other education/workforce datasets (e.g., K-12, higher education, workforce)?
Purpose
What is the purpose of the organization collecting the data?
“eSpark provides teachers and school leaders with understandable data that goes beyond simple progress monitoring to help inform instruction. With eSpark, educators receive the actionable data they need to link students' learning needs to academic outcomes.”
Why is it collected and how does the organization use it?
To monitor student progress and link learning to academic outcomes.
Who else uses the data?
Educators
- Who do they sell the data to?
Educators. Only work directly with schools and school districts.
Method
What is the data collection method?
Through ipad apps
What is the type of data collected?
Assessment
If designed, who created the questions?
Third-party apps that are vetted by eSpark's team of former teachers.
What is the raw source of the collected data (prior to any aggregation)?
Students
Description
- What is the general topic of the data (1-2 words)?
Student Learning
What are the earliest and latest dates for which data is available?
Data is collected continuously as students use the apps. Earliest data available is when the student started using the system.
Is data collected and available periodically?
Yes
How soon after a reference period ends can a data source be prepared and provided?
Immediately to the student and teacher.
Selectivity (conversely, the representativeness)
What is the universe (e.g., population) that the data represents (consider inclusion/exclusion criteria)?
Pre-K to 8th grade students in schools systems using eSpark. Currently school districts in 20 states use eSparks.
Accessibility
How is the data accessed?
They do not share personal information about students with third-parties, however, they do state, "For non-personal information we may use and share that information for any legally permissible purpose." They define non-personal information as quiz scores and uses of the apps. However, it appears that this information is not provided with a linking to demographic information at the student-level. It is unclear whether this information would be aggregated to the school or district level.
- Is it open data?
No
- Any legal, regulatory, or administrative restrictions on accessing the data source?
Unknown
Cost? - One time or annual or project based payment?
No specific pricing information listed on the website. Will provide a quote since they tailor the cost to the customizations selected.
Does this dataset appear to meet our needs for the Census study? NO
Explanation: eSpark does not sell students’ personal information, although it may be possible to get quiz scores. However, it's not clear how the information they collect could benefit the Census.