People across Great Britain are being given the opportunity to gain a greater understanding of open data and the tools and techniques to use open datasets, through a series of free masterclasses hosted by Ordnance Survey.

The fourth series of open data masterclasses builds on the success of its predecessors, attended by over 500 people so far. Individuals, developers, community groups, social entrepreneurs, commercial and government organisations are invited to attend the masterclasses, run by Ordnance Survey and supported by Horizon Digital Economy Research.

For the first time, based on feedback from previous sessions, participants will have the opportunity to use OS OpenSpace, Ordnance Survey’s free web mapping service that allows users to display up-to-date Ordnance Survey mapping in a web page or online environment. Those attending will learn how and where to access code examples, how to use Web-Map Builder, a tool designed to simplify the process of embedding a map into a website; as well as demonstrating an interactive way to experiment with code in the new Code Playground.

In addition, the open data masterclasses will combine theory and practical sessions and provide participants with the opportunity to use and harness free-to-use open datasets, including Ordnance Survey’s own free-to-use OS OpenData.

Those attending will learn a range of techniques, from data collection and processing, to data analysis and map visualisation. The focus on the day will be guided, hands-on practical sessions, using data from Ordnance Survey and data.gov.uk.

The content of the masterclasses is suitable for a wide spectrum of participants with various levels of IT experience, although some familiarity with web browsing and Microsoft Excel is assumed.

Ordnance Survey is able to offer up to 40 places at each masterclass, running from 9.30 am until 4.30 pm each day. Locations and dates of the sessions:

14 November – Aberdeen http://odmc-aberdeen.eventbrite.co.uk/
15 November – Edinburgh http://odmc-edinburgh.eventbrite.co.uk/
20 November – London http://odmc-london.eventbrite.co.uk/
26 November – Cardiff http://odmc-cardiff.eventbrite.co.uk/
30 November – Nottingham http://odmc-nottingham.eventbrite.co.uk/

Interested participants should click on the relevant link to reserve their space and obtain a masterclass ticket.

More information on OS OpenData is available on the Ordnance Survey website: http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/products/os-opendata.html

Ordnance Survey is Great Britain’s national mapping agency, providing the most accurate and up-to-date geographic data, relied on by government, business and individuals.

For more information from Ordnance Survey, please contact:

Gemma Nelson – Senior Press Officer on 023 8005 5419 or gemma.nelson@ordnancesurvey.co.uk