BTU overview
Faculty 4
Chair of Social work Prof. Dr. Daniela Cornelia Stix

BigDatapoly ...the omnipresence of data

The BigDatapoly game is a media pedagogy method to get people talking about big data. The aim is to playfully create an awareness of where, which and how much data is collected by institutions, companies, services and technologies.

You can find out more about the game here: https: //www.bpb.de/lernen/medienpaedagogik/big-data-kinder-und-jugendbildung/258647/big-datapoly/

Number of participants

Minimum: 3; optimum: 4; maximum: 6

Age recommendation

from 12 years

Duration

35 minutes +

Space

Normal seminar room with large table area

Set-up and procedure

The game plan, which also forms the basis for the implementation, is laid out. It consists of fields arranged in a circle, 24 of which are assigned to specific companies, services, institutions and technologies. Each of these fields contains icons that show which specific data records are collected here and in what quantities. In contrast to the popular classic game Monopoly, on which this game is based, these fields are not purchased, but merely managed.

The action cards are shuffled and placed in two piles on the designated spaces in the centre of the board. The players each choose a pawn and place it on the "Go" space. All data sets are shuffled and 40 of each are distributed to the other players. It is intentional that not all players receive the same number of one type of data set in this way. The remaining cards form the draw pile and are put to one side.

  • When you reach an action field, you have to draw a corresponding card that highlights certain behaviours and encourages discussion about the positive and negative consequences of collecting data.
  • When crossing the draw field, players always receive 10 new data records and draw an action card.
  • A corner field shows the anonymous mask. If a player lands on this square, he/she puts the mask in front of his/her face and is anonymous for one round. During this time, he/she does not have to give any data records to other players. However, they may take over the administration of a field and data records.
  • Whoever gets to the "hand-takes-cards" corner field may take the cards and data records - if available - from the centre of the field, the cloud.
  • The corner space with the battery symbol is called "suspend". If you move onto the square with a dice move, you sit out 2 rounds. Similar to the classic board game, you can try to roll a double to free yourself. Cards that cancels the suspension are included among the action cards. They are kept until they are needed.
  • In principle, there is no defined end to this game. The aim is to discuss big data. It can be played for as long as there are questions about it and the players enjoy it. Nevertheless, all players should ask themselves the question at the end: Who actually wins at Big Data?