This introductory learning module guides students to understand what Vital Signs data are and how to access neighborhood information using our website. Students will interactively access the website where Vital Signs data is compiled and then will answer a series of questions about the data.
Download Learning Module
Interested in more archival and historical information about neighborhoods? The University of Baltimore has many resources for librarians, faculty, students and Baltimore community members to learn more about their neighborhoods, from historical archives to quantitative open data about current community-based indicators. This page offers a concrete example and lesson plan on how to incorporate the materials into University courses and other training sessions.
See more information
Over the years, Baltimore communities have asked staff at the Baltimore Neighborhood Indicators Alliance (BNIA) to both offer more indicators in the annual release of Vital Signs (which now has more than 110 indicators!) but also to distill them down to the most important indicators. To do the latter requires clearly stating a point of view about what the indicators represent and how they can be used to improve quality of life in all neighborhoods. If we truly care about our city and the people in the neighborhoods we serve, we cannot just release the Vital Signs report and let the results fall where they may. We must clearly articulate how the indicators can be used to ensure that all of Baltimore’s policies and programs not only remove barriers for people, but also promote equity across all neighborhoods. Neighborhoods cannot be “separate but equal” with respect to the indicators in Vital Signs if we ever want to be a just and equitable city.
Download Learning Module
In this learning module, students will explore the relationship between poverty and educational achievement. They will examine poverty levels, median income, fifth-grade reading comprehension, high-school completion rates, and college degree attainment. From this, students will answer a series of questions regarding the relationships between these indicators.
Download Learning Module
Download Workbook
In this learning module, students will examine data in order to understand the effect of social determinants on health outcomes across neighborhoods in Baltimore City. They will look at data that details the following environments: physical/built, social, economic, and service. From this data, students will assess whether the conditions in a Community Statistical Area would positively or negatively impact the health of residents.
Download Learning Module
Have an idea for another learning module using Vital Signs data? Help us create more! Contact us at [email protected].