Core Data Literacy Courses
Accent Courses
-
Data Literacy Fundamentals: Understanding the Power & Value of Data by Ben Jones
The companion book to our on-demand course Data Literacy Fundamentals: Understanding the Power & Value of Data. Data Literacy Fundamentals covers foundational topics such as the overall goal of data, various ways of measuring and categorizing the world, five different forms of data analysis and when they apply, pros and cons related to how we display data in tabular or graphic form, and the way teams work together to convert data into insight. This book has been written for anyone who is just getting started with data and who wants to feel more confident in their understanding of what it is, what it isn't, and what it's used for. "There has never been a more important time in business, public service, media or our personal lives to realize there is a new literacy in town. Data literacy. An equalizing force in society, it is a ticket to ride. And it is based on a previously unnamed language - that of 'speaking data'. With Data Literacy Fundamentals, Ben Jones offers a great service - that of beginning to demystify the basics and setting the foundation. A must-read for anyone starting the journey to grow their own data literacy." -Valerie Logan, CEO of the DATA LODGE "Ben Jones has a remarkable gift to convey the power of data and analytics, through the journey that is data literacy. Readers of this book will gain insight, knowledge, and power to improve their data and analytics journey." - Jordan Morrow, Head of the Data Literacy Project, Qlik -
Learn the language of data with Data Literacy Fundamentals: Understanding the Power & Value of Data. In this course you will lay a firm foundation in Data Literacy by putting in place 8 building blocks of understanding that will help you grasp what data is, how it’s used, and ways to think about incorporating it into different areas of your life and career. Data literacy is a non-negotiable skill in today's world. It's no longer just for Data Scientists. Every role and every department benefits from data fluency. Go beyond joining the conversation and jump right into the driver's seat, grow in wisdom and feel more confident working with data. No prior experience or skills required. This course was built with all experience levels in mind. Data Literacy Fundamentals was developed by Ben Jones, Data Literacy CEO and Professor of Data Visualization Theory at The University of Washington’s Foster School of Business. By the end you’ll have learned:- The 1 Overall Goal of Data
- The 2 Systems of human thinking involved
- The 3 Areas of life where data matters
- The 4 Different data scale types
- The 5 Forms of data analysis
- The 6 Ways of displaying data
- The 7 Groups of data activities teams carry out
- The 8 Questions to ask your data upfront
-
Growing in data literacy is one of the most strategic development paths we can embark upon. In this course you’ll learn about the 17 Key Traits that highly data literate individuals possess. As you progress through the course, you’ll complete a self-assessment by scoring your level of proficiency in each trait and its importance to your own success in the near future. We provide an interactive worksheet that you can use to enter your scores and see where each trait falls on a two-by-two grid. Use the results of your self-assessment to identify your strengths and most significant data learning opportunities in the year ahead. In just over an hour, you’ll learn the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors of highly data literate individuals and will be able to customize your own data literacy learning journey based on your self-assessment results. Consider purchasing along with Data Literacy Fundamentals, Data Literacy Level 1, or Data Literacy Level 2. With any purchase of two or more products, a 10% discount will automatically be applied to your cart at checkout (please note, this does not apply in conjunction with other promo codes). Check out our full lineup of offerings in our store. Interested in team pricing? Inquire here. You can also buy this course as a gift for someone else. -
Learning to See Data: How to Interpret the Visual Language of Charts by Ben Jones
The companion book to our on-demand course Data Literacy Level 1: Learning to See Data. This book will help you develop fluency in the interpretation of charts, an ability that we all need to hone and perfect if we are to make meaningful contributions in the professional, public and personal arenas of life. The principles covered in it also serve as a critical background for anyone looking to create charts that others will be able to understand. "This book is clear and evocative, thorough and thoughtful, and remarkably readable: a marvelous launchpad into the world of data." –Tamara Munzner, Professor, University of British Columbia Computer Science "Everyone of us needs good data literacy skills to survive in the modern world. Without them, it's hard to succeed at work, or survive the onslaught of information (and misinformation) across all our media. Ben's book provides the necessary building blocks for a strong foundation. From that foundation, Ben's approach will inspire you to own the process of developing your skills further." –Andy Cotgreave, Technical Evangelism Director, Tableau -
Do you ever look at a graph or chart and feel stumped on where to start? Sure, you see the information it’s conveying, but are you interpreting it correctly and growing in wisdom? Do you understand how certain basic building blocks of graphical displays such as marks and encoding channels may be influencing your interpretation? Take your visual data literacy skills to the next level with Data Literacy Level 1: Learning to See Data. This course is for anyone who finds themselves needing to read and interpret graphical displays of data – charts, maps, and dashboards – on a regular basis. Many of us encounter such data visualizations at work and at home, and few of us were trained to make sense of them. This course will turn you into a fluent chart reader by teaching you the visual language of data. Data Literacy Level 1 was developed by Ben Jones, Data Literacy CEO and Professor of Data Visualization Theory at The University of Washington’s Foster School of Business. By the end you’ll have learned:- How data is converted to graphical marks with visual encodings
- Principles to help you evaluate the effectiveness of charts
- The 25 most common chart types that everyone should know
- 16 helpful chart reading tips to use when breaking down a chart
- Critical scenarios like change over time and part-to-whole
- What pitfalls to avoid when interpreting visual displays of data
-
ChatGPT Basics was developed by Ben Jones, Data Literacy CEO and Professor of Data Visualization Theory at The University of Washington’s Foster School of Business. In this course, you'll learn:- The history of OpenAI’s ChatGPT - What led to its rise, how it took the world by storm, and how tech giants like Google and Meta have responded.
- The technologies that ChatGPT is based on, for a better understanding of what’s happening “under the hood” and why it responds the way it does.
- The ethical and practical problems that have surfaced with this new technology, along with examples of how ChatGPT’s responses have gone awry.
- How to get started setting up an account and the different places you can interact with ChatGPT.
- A four-step process for creating an effective prompt.
-
Have you ever felt lost in a sea of data? Many people today rush to apply very powerful data-working tools, or they just dive right into their data without giving much thought to what’s below the surface. In this course, you’ll learn a step-by-step process that will help you work effectively with data. The process is called The WISDOM Data-Working Flow, and you can use it with any data set, any software tool or programming language, any question that you’d like answered, and any decision that you’d like to turn into a data-informed decision. The emphasis is on applying data to real-world questions, and on identifying the many shortcomings in data that people often miss in their haste to use whatever data they have. Learning this process will help you avoid many of the most common mistakes, and it will give you a framework to apply, along with helpful pointers at every step along the way. Along with mastering the Wisdom Data-Working Flow, you'll gain access to over 25 detailed tutorials that will teach you how to use tools such as Tableau, MS Power Query Editor, MS Power BI, R Studio, SQL, Excel, and more! Data Literacy Level 2 was developed by Ben Jones, Data Literacy CEO and Professor of Data Visualization Theory at The University of Washington’s Foster School of Business. Not feeling ready for Level 2 just yet? Consider purchasing along with the first two courses in our Core Data Literacy Series, Data Literacy Fundamentals and Data Literacy Level 1. With any purchase of two or more products, a 10% discount will automatically be applied to your cart at checkout (please note, this does not apply in conjunction with other promo codes). Check out our full lineup of offerings in our store. Interested in team pricing? Inquire here. You can also buy this course as a gift for someone else. -
ChatGPT Basics: Exploring Its Origins, Uses, and Misuses by Ben Jones
The companion book to our on-demand course ChatGPT Basics: Foundations & Getting Started. ChatGPT Basics is the ultimate beginner's guide to understanding and utilizing the groundbreaking AI chatbot, ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI. This comprehensive book provides a thorough yet accessible introduction to the world of ChatGPT, enabling you to harness its potential effectively and responsibly. Starting with an engaging account of ChatGPT's inception and the impact it has had on the tech world, the book delves into the underlying technology that powers ChatGPT, offering insights into its inner workings. As you progress, you'll be introduced to the ethical and practical concerns surrounding this innovative tool, preparing you to use it cautiously and avoid potential pitfalls. With step-by-step guidance, you'll learn how to set up your account, explore various platforms to interact with ChatGPT, and create effective prompts that elicit meaningful responses. The book also offers recommendations on using ChatGPT across multiple interfaces, including the OpenAI website, Microsoft's "new Bing" search engine, the ChatGPT Basics on-demand course, and even unofficial mobile applications for iOS and Android devices. ChatGPT Basics is an essential resource for anyone eager to learn about ChatGPT and its applications. By the end of the book, you'll be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to employ ChatGPT responsibly, maximizing its potential while minimizing potential harm. So, get ready to embark on your ChatGPT journey and dive into the fascinating world of AI chatbots! -
Read, Write, Think Data: A Step-by-Step Guide to Turning Data Into Wisdom by Ben Jones
The companion book to our on-demand course Data Literacy Level 2: Working Effectively with Data. Reading and interpreting charts and dashboards has become a daily task for all of us, but these days many of us find ourselves needing to work with raw data more and more often. The spreadsheets and databases we come across don’t announce their insights to us upfront. Instead, they require us to roll up our sleeves and sift them to find what’s hidden and valuable within them, like gold in a mine. Read, Write, Think Data by Ben Jones presents a tool-agnostic framework for posing powerful questions of data, preparing it for analysis, exploring what’s there, arriving at the “Aha!” moment, and then turning that insight into a compelling message that will help you drive change within your organization. The process can be followed with any tool, and multiple “how to” tutorials are included within to help you learn the ropes. “Want to learn how to read and use charts? That shouldn’t take long. How about creating charts? There are some great tools available that have short learning curves. But extracting, understanding, distilling, and accurately and ethically communicating insights from data? That’s not a trivial undertaking, but with this book, Ben will get you and your organization there a lot faster.” -Steve Wexler, Author of The Big Picture and Co-Author of The Big Book of Dashboard -
A Data Citizen knows what questions to ask of their data upfront. They understand the one overall goal of data and the activities a team must carry out to transform data into wisdom. Growing in data literacy is one of the most strategic development paths we can embark upon. Passing the Data Citizen Assessment proves that you’ve mastered the foundational aspects of data literacy: what is data, how is it used by teams, and what are some different ways of displaying your data? We cover these topics in our Data Literacy Fundamentals on-demand course: Understanding the Power & Value of Data. If you score 80% or higher, you'll be awarded the Data Citizen Badge, which you can add to your LinkedIn profile to show off your skills. If you score less than 80%, you'll receive a promo code for $25 off our Data Literacy Fundamentals on-demand course: Understanding the Power & Value of Data, so it’s a low risk investment in your data literacy education! Not sure you're ready for the assessment? By taking Data Literacy Fundamentals, you’ll also have the opportunity to earn your Data Citizen badge. Consider purchasing this assessment along with the Visual Interpreter Assessment, which is based on Data Literacy Level 1, the second of four levels in our Data Literacy course series. With any purchase of two or more products, a 10% discount will automatically be applied to your cart at checkout (please note, this does not apply in conjunction with other promo codes). Check out our full lineup of offerings in our store. -
Whether your background is in the data field or something completely unrelated, it can be challenging to know how to set up your organization’s data efforts for success. Much of that success starts with the people you have working on these efforts. Hiring the right data professionals for the right data job is step one. Then it’s a matter of onboarding them, managing them, and assessing their performance. For those not directly responsible for the team, how to successfully partner with these professionals to achieve your organizations data goals is of critical importance as well. In this course, you will learn how to effectively hire, manage, and optimize your working relationship with data professionals to leverage the talents of data professionals and drive impactful organizational change. By the end you'll have learned:- What Do Data Professionals Do?: A brief overview of different types of data work and the data skills needed to perform them.
- How to Hire a Data Professional: Advice on how to hire someone who has the data skills needed to do the types of data work your organization needs.
- Managing a Team of Data Professionals: High-level methods and approaches for leading a team of data professionals.
- Measuring the Performance of Data Professionals: How to track whether or not your data professionals are performing well.
- Up-Leveling Your Partnership with Data Professionals: Best practices for getting the most out of your partnership with the data professionals in your organization.
-
The companion book to our on-demand course Data Literacy for Leaders: Empowering Organizations in a Data-Rich World. In "Leading in the Age of Data: Your Guide to the 7 Factors of Team Empowerment," Ben Jones, Co-Founder and CEO of Data Literacy, reveals that effective leadership in today's digital era goes beyond data knowledge - it requires fostering an environment where data is used intelligently, ethically, and innovatively. Built on the foundation of the Data Literacy Score Team-Based Assessment tool, this pioneering work explores the 7 crucial factors for successful data leadership: Ethics, Purpose, Data, Technology, People, Process, and Culture. Jones lays bare the truth that the proficiency in data utilization is not just about the volume of data or the technological advancements at your disposal; instead, it is a balanced approach across these seven factors that breeds success. Jones meticulously breaks down each factor into 7 guiding principles, providing a total of 49 actionable strategies that leaders can implement directly. These principles are not just theoretical; they come equipped with an opportunity for self-assessment, allowing readers to identify their strengths and areas needing improvement. By the end of the book, you will have your own seven-pointed Data Leadership Compass to guide you through the intricate journey of data leadership. Not just for IT executives, this insightful guide equips leaders of all industries and disciplines with the tools, techniques, and philosophies necessary to uplift their team's data literacy. It invites you to transcend the traditional realms of leadership and enter an era where data informs decision-making, innovation, and growth. Join Ben Jones on a transformative journey to harness the full potential of data and evolve into a leader who embraces the complexities, the challenges, and the opportunities of a data-rich world. The data era is here; it's time to lead it. Praise for 'Leading in the Age of Data' "For decades, we've focused on technology and data for the answers. Yet they were never there. The answers have always been with... people. Today, our work lives and personal lives are changing so rapidly that we struggle to maintain a sense of focus, purpose and belonging. Those leaders who can harness the power of data to innovate, augment and enhance the customer and employee experience, will be the new pioneers of modern talent environments. In Leading in the Age of Data, Ben carefully unpacks the system of seven levers required to understand and create the conditions for raising awareness, wiring new connections and creating new habits by harnessing data. A must read for anyone serious about modern leadership in the age of data!" -Valerie Logan, CEO of The Data Lodge "Ben Jones's 'Leading in the Age of Data' is a must-read for all leaders. It's not just about DATA but about understanding people, ethics, and culture. Ben breaks down complex topics into clear lessons, showing how true leadership balances heart and numbers. My favorite section was the one on PEOPLE - 'in order to realize the benefits of technology, people almost always need to obtain some working knowledge and skills first.' While technology evolves, it's the human factor—people with their knowledge, ethics, and culture—that remains the most pivotal element in ensuring success. I recommend this book to anyone that wants to be a leader in the age of data!" -Kate Strachnyi, Founder of DATAcated "Organizations, vendors, and employees all say "Hey, you need a data culture." But there are very few practical guides that actually provide the necessary steps. This is the vital gap the book fills. Ben's conversational writing style is always a pleasure to read. -Andy Cotgreave, Co-author of The Big Book of Dashboards
