simple data visualizationsTech Fest 2014

why bother? long history of using pictures to show

significance of numbers increasingly “visual” society visual data can be interpreted and

consumed quickly using open-source, social tools, data can

be shared easily

in the classroom … particularly useful for classes where

students do not have “data” backgrounds encourages exploration of different data

visuals (from bar charts to tree maps)

three examples many eyes

tableau public

dipity

many eyes PROS:

Easy to use Easy to distribute Social, web-based

visualization Can “show”

evidence by including data’s URL

CONS: Currently in

(continued) development stage

tableau public PROS:

More sophisticated visualization

More options on the customization of each project

Can embed in website, blog or share socially

CONS: Can be more time

consuming to use (depends on the data set)

Though free, need to download software

dipity PROS:

Very interactive timeline

Easy to share socially

CONS: Requires an

investment of time