Teaching the Data Science Process

Curricula for teaching machine learning have existed for decades and even more recent technical subjects (deep learning or big data architectures) have almost standard course outlines and linearized storylines. On the other hand, teaching support for the data science process has been elusive, even though the outlines of the process have been around since the 90s. Understanding the process requires not only wide technical background in machine learning but also basic notions of businesses administration. I have elaborated on the organizational difficulties of data science transformation stemming from these complexities in a previous essay; here I will share my experience on teaching the data science process. I recently had the opportunity to try some experimental pedagogical techniques on about hundred top tier engineering students from Ecole Polytechnique.