Students are challenged to understand the subtle nuances of data presentation (in research and media). This activity enables students to critically think about how information is collected, analyzed, and presented in research and media. By creating their own visualizations of current data, students discover how selective display and design choices can influence the perception of a subject. This activity contributes to the development of critical thinking skills and data literacy.
- Activity goal
- Practice skills
- When
- In class
- Where
- Offline | Online
- Duration
- < 30 minutes| < 60 minutes
- Group size
- Small | Medium | Large
Step-by-step
Step 1
Choose a current topic (or let the students choose) and gather relevant data that supports this topic. This data can range from statistics to survey results.
Step 2
Let students analyze the collected data to identify patterns, trends, and key insights. They will learn to critically examine the data and potential biases.
Step 3
Let students design a visualization of the data. They need to decide which information they want to highlight and how they want to present it to support their chosen viewpoint.
Step 4
Let students reflect on the choices they made while creating their visualization. They should be aware of how these choices can influence the interpretation of the data.
Tip 1
Let students present their visualizations and discuss them in a plenary session. This is an opportunity to reflect on the influence of media and how data can be used to support certain perspectives.
Tip 2
An example assignment could be visualizing data on climate change. For instance, students can visualize the temperature increase over the past decades. They need to decide which time span to choose, which geographical regions to highlight, and how to present the data. These choices influence how the end user interprets the urgency and impact of climate change. By completing this exercise, students become aware of the influence that media has on the public perception of scientific data.
