Communicating Information
(Data Visualization for
Dummies)
August, 2015
Prepared by: Ashleigh Bunn, Digital Analytics
Overview
 Introduction
•
Who am I?
 What is Data Visualization
•
•
Why it matters
A Brief History of Time
 200 Countries, 200 years, 4 minutes
 How do we Visualize Data
 Critical Thinking
•
Encouraging Students to communicate information.
Ashleigh Bunn
Who Am I?
Data Visualization
What is it?
Data visualization is a general term that describes any
effort to help people understand the significance
of data by placing it in a visual context. Patterns, trends
and correlations that might go undetected in textbased data can be exposed and recognized easier
with data visualization software.
Who Cares?
All the pretty people.
Copyright: American Cancer Society, Customer Intelligence, MIES
Old School
The History of Data Visualization
Old School
The History of Data Visualization
Old School
The History of Data Visualization
Old School
The History of Data Visualization
Still Cool
Data Visualization in MY House
Not so Cool
Data Visualization in House of Congress
Not so Cool
Data Visualization in House of Congress
Not so Cool
Data Visualization in House of Congress
Good Data Gone Bad
Data is Beautiful
Visualization for All
But How?
Communication Planning
But How?
Communication Planning
• What do you hope your message will do? (Define
measurable goals or expected outcome)
• Who are you saying it to? (Define your Audience)
• What do you want to say? (Identify thesis &
supporting data)
• What are the risks or challenges? (Identify
obstacles)
• How are you going to share your information? (Pick
a method)
• COMMUNICATE!
Thinking Critically
Analyzing Student Communication
•
•
•
•
•
The student aids others’ understanding of information
The student provides useful explanations of information
The student presents information accurately.
The student presents information completely.
The presentation of information helps others see
connections or larger themes.
• The presentation of information arouses others interest.
• The presentation of information evokes questions or
further study by others.
• The student openly acknowledges when information is
inconsistent or inconclusive.
Resources
Encouraging Information Communication
Data Visualization 101:
https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/53/file-863940581pdf/Data_Visualization_101_How_to_Design_Charts_and
_Graphs.pdf
Data Visualization DIY: Top Tools:
http://datajournalismhandbook.org/1.0/en/delivering_dat
a_7.html
Excel Formula’s Cheat Sheet:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2877236/excel-formulascheat-sheet-15-essential-tips-for-calculations-andcommon-tasks.html
Information is Beautiful:
http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/
Q&A
Thank You!