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Using Open Data for Digital Business

Discover the power of Open Data and learn how you can use it to transform business.

7,330 enrolled on this course

A map of the world with a human eye in the centre from which binary code appears to flow
  • Duration

    3 weeks
  • Weekly study

    2 hours

Find out how to use Open Data to transform your organisation

Open Data is data that anyone can access, use or share and when used well it can be extremely powerful. It enables businesses, citizens, developers and researchers to harness resources that can make crucial improvements to their communities and the economy. It can also help with the development of new products and services, improve business efficiency and create economic value.

This course provides new insight into the history of Open Data, its pros and cons, business cases and business models related to publishing and using Open Data.

How could you benefit? Join to find out.

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Skip to 0 minutes and 8 seconds TOM WAINWRIGHT: The world revolves around flows of data. Our everyday tasks and activities are enabled and shaped by apps, services, and software that are all data-dependent. Now, we constantly generate data when we use apps and devices, fill out online or even paper forms, we often don’t own that data. In fact, many organisations have in the past kept data closed or private. Partly this was for privacy, but also because data now can itself be seen as an economic asset, something that can be traded, bought, and sold. I’m Tom Wainwright, and with my colleagues, I’ve been looking at the rise of open data, learning from tech entrepreneurs, government departments, and businesses.

Skip to 0 minutes and 49 seconds Now, open data is usually available to be used by anyone for any purpose, even if it’s available to competitors. Arguably, it can be considered to be the new material for the digital economy and now, it’s free. This course is all about how an organisation or individual can use open data, or even make money publishing open data. We’re going to talk about how to grow an existing or new business using open data too. Now like most things, this isn’t always straightforward. For example, how do you make a unique product or service from data that everyone already has access to, or how do you stop a competitor stealing your ideas since they can access the same data?

Skip to 1 minute and 32 seconds Also, how can you actually make money from freely available data? What are the risks as well and how can they be managed? And this also raises the question, what really even is open data? At the end of the course, you’ll know more about the world of open data and be ready to take the next steps in developing your own products or business. Join us soon.

What topics will you cover?

  • What is Open Data?
  • Why is Open Data useful in business?
  • How to assess and manage risk when using Open Data
  • How Open Data can improve business
  • How to create an Open Data business model
  • How to use external Open Data
  • How to publish Open Data

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Develop Open Data Publication and Use strategies
  • Identify potential Open Data Business Models
  • Explore strategies in Open Data to enhance performance
  • Describe Open Data and its relevance to business
  • Investigate Open Data licensing and risk management

Who is the course for?

This course will be of particular interest to those working in digital start-ups, managers in corporations, developers, public sector managers and students.

This is not a technical course, and is introductory in scope. Learners require only curiosity and an open mind.

What software or tools do you need?

This course does not require the use of any specialist software or tools.

What do people say about this course?

Having the course material to hand allows me to prepare for the future

"Open data is a buzzword at the moment. Most companies don’t know what it’s about. Having this course material to hand allows me to prepare for what's coming from a place of understanding."

This opens up a world of opportunities by looking in the right place.

"OMG where have I been all this time? Just seen the vast amount of freely available data on the EU site. This opens up a world of opportunities by simply looking in the right place. Thank you Tom!"

Who will you learn with?

Tom’s teaching and research cover strategy, innovation and entrepreneurship, with a particular interest in data-led technologies.

Who developed the course?

Royal Holloway, University of London

Queen Victoria presided over the grand opening of Royal Holloway in 1886. Since then the College has continued to grow in size and status to become one of the top research-led institutions in the UK.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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