Case 3. Using largescale datasets in formal learning
The Cambridge Crystallographic Database is one of a number of collections of largescale datasets available for learning. The International Union of Crystallography published a special issue of the Journal of Applied Crystallography (http://journals.iucr.org/j/issues/2010/05/02/issconts.html) focusing on education and training in the field. There are examples of using largescale datasets for formal learning across many disciplines. For example here is a paper on using the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database in the Classroom http://serc.carleton.edu/resources/12077.html
How does collective learning take place – Students can download datasets collected by multidisciplinary research teams from around the world, to practice analysis and interpretation of results. In doing so they tap into the collective knowledge of the scientific community.