Census and ACS in the Classroom: A Workshop for College Professors
More information can be found at the Population Association of America session page.
April 25, 2018 1:15 PM – 5:00 PM
Denver, CO | Transportation provided from Denver Sheraton Downtown
Instructors:
William Frey, Social Science Data Analysis Network
Mark Mather, Population Reference Bureau
Andrew Beveridge, Queens College and Social Explorer
This workshop will focus on how professors can integrate the analysis of US Census and American Community Survey (ACS) data in relevant, user-friendly ways in such courses as Intro Sociology, Social Problems, Stratification, Race Relations, the Family, Sociology of Aging, Population, and more. Participants will learn about the Social Science Data Analysis Network (SSDAN) directed by Professor Frey at the University of Michigan. Related supplemental material on Census and population topics produced by Population Reference Bureau (PRB) will also be presented by Dr. Mather of PRB. Finally, Professor Andrew Beveridge will demonstrate and provide hands on training for the popular Census and ACS interactive data and mapping tool, Social Explorer.
The workshop will begin with an overview of the SSDAN project and data analysis materials. Brief tutorials on the easy-to-use Datacounts and CensusScope.org software tools will follow, with examples drawn from existing U.S. Census and ACS access tools. In a “hands-on” session, two person teams will “play the role of students” and conduct analyses of pre-tailored 1950-2010 Census, and 2015 ACS data using the online Datacounts software as well as the PRB and US Census Bureau Websites
Dr. Mather of the Population Reference Bureau will introduce participants to several of PRB’s most popular classroom products, publications, and website applications related to the Census, ACS and topics that can be taught using these data
Professor Beveridge will introduce participants to the features of Social Explorer though a demonstration and hands-on training. Social Explorer has received recognition as a Webby Award Honoree for Education and as an Outstanding Reference Source Award from the Reference and User Services Association.
The workshop will be limited to 25 participants. Transportation will depart from the hotel at 1:15 p.m. and return by 5:00 p.m. Detailed information will be provided to registrants.