Accessing the UDP & Synthetic Data

The Canvas data contained in the UDP is a rich store of student learning data, but this extensive data store has tight security controls to ensure that this data is safe and secure. However, its importance as a research resource cannot be overstated, and the Office of Information Technology is here to help access the UDP.

In general, the preference is to first grant access to Synthetic Data, and then access to production UDP data if needed.

Benefits of Synthetic Data

• Testing research methodology without privacy concerns
• Training and exploration of UDP capabilities and data models
• Supporting hackathons (for both staff and students) and application development
• Ensure cross-campus compatibility for any reports or applications

1. Submit the UDP Access Request form
2. Answer any questions from the TLA team to clarify your access request
3. After TLA review, the form is passed along to the designated Unizin Data Stewards with a recommendation that they approve the request
4. After Data Steward approval, TLA will submit the request and copies of approvals to Unizin
5. Unizin will then connect with the requestor to share information on connecting to the UDP, any credentials, etc.
6. TLA will also grant you access to a KSAMS role to track your access to the UDP

This process is in place for access to both the detailed Unizin Data Platform and the synthesized Synthetic Data UDP.

We are advocating for a streamlined approval process to Synthetic Data, since it does not include identified student data.

In the future, we'll be working to provide secure, self-service access to the UDP for instructors to access data for their own course spaces. Stay tuned for more information.