Charting Student Misconceptions About Data Visualization

Mon, 05 May 2025 11:34:04 -0400
charts, data, misinformation

If you missed the talk by CSEE Professor Rebecca Williams last Friday on Student Misconceptions About Data Visualization, its video and slides are now available online.

Using innovative teaching strategies, her work helps students in the CMSC data visualization courses 436 and 636 learn to critically analyze, annotate, and critique diverse visualization examples beyond typical course materials. By incorporating deeper qualitative analysis, richer demographic data, and evaluating how student-created charts evolve over time, the project aims to enhance visual literacy and critical thinking skills significantly. Her presentation explored practical approaches to identifying and addressing student misconceptions, ideas for engaging students with foraging and curating their own learning examples, and gaining strategies applicable to enhancing visual literacy across various disciplines.