Database Reference
In-Depth Information
Data Mining Project: A Critical Element in Teaching,
Learning and Assessment of a Data Mining Module
Hongbo Du
Department of Applied Computing, University of Buckingham,
Buckingham MK18 1EG, United Kingdom
hongbo.du@buckingham.ac.uk
Abstract.
Data mining has been introduced into computing curricula. A data
mining module should emphasise not only the technical but also the practical
sides of the subject. This paper stresses the importance of using a data mining
project as a critical element of the coursework. The paper outlines the intended
learning outcomes and the expectations from students. The paper proposes a
framework for project administration and assessment. By using a number of
past projects as case studies, the paper demonstrates the project work involved
and summarises good and bad experiences in running the project. The paper
highlights the uncertain nature of data mining and consequent challenges and
difficulties. The paper is intended to contribute towards a wider debate over the
best practices in teaching, learning and assessment of data mining.
Keywords:
Data mining, module project, learning, teaching, assessment.
1 Introduction
Data mining is a popular and interesting subject in computing, and has started to ap-
pear in undergraduate and postgraduate computing curricula, either in the form of a
full module or as a part of a module on business intelligence or advanced databases
([3], [7], [10]). Because of the diversity in student backgrounds and module inten-
sions, different approaches and methods in teaching, learning and assessment have
been practised.
Data mining involves not only theories and techniques of computation but also
processes, tasks and trade-offs of discovery concerns. Learning the subject is not only
about knowledge and understanding but also about experience and practical skills.
This balance should be reflected in the intended learning outcomes, the teaching and
learning strategies, and the assessment criteria for the module. The argument naturally
leads to using a data mining project as a major component of the coursework. It is felt
that a data mining project should play a critical role for a data mining module in the
same way as a database design project does for a database module. Although Rob and
Ellis briefly mentioned using two types of projects in data warehousing and data min-
ing [9], using data mining project for teaching, particularly in the UK, is still rare.
Similar attempts by this author before 2000 ran into various difficulties due to
lacks of useful software tools, relevant guidelines and good cases of reference. In
recent years, however, the teaching environment for data mining has been greatly
