Visual display of information exercise

Introduction

source of graphic http://www.usatoday.com/snapshot/news/snapndex.htm

Working with statistics, numbers and data is a critical skill for science. The ability to effectively communicate this information through the graphical presentation of ideas is a skill that must be developed through analysis of good graphics and through practice working with data and graphical presentation tools.

In this lesson students will begin by analyzing good and bad data graphics and then prepare to collect and present their own information in a persuasive, but honest manner.

Procedure

Look at the graphics in the newspaper section that you have received. You may also use the web site from usa today . The CD-ROM earth explorer also contains many good graphics. Select three graphics of different styles, cut each one out and paste to your paper. Or print them if you are using electronic sources.

For each of your three graphics answer the following questions in full sentences either on a separate piece of paper or typed below the graphic.

  1. How are the graphics displayed? color, size, textures etc.
  2. Are they interesting? why or why not?
  3. How much information do they present?
  4. What is the purpose of the graphics?
  5. What might the audience be looking for in these graphics?
  6. Are they showing one variable or two?
  7. What information is being conveyed?

Look at the data- graphic guidelines sheet on the back side of this sheet.Discuss the following about all three of you graphics as a group.

  1. Are the graphics that you have chosen successful or unsuccessful graphics by this criteria? explain.
  2. Have you seen unsuccessful graphics? explain.

Students may also want to look at the two books on the reference desk by Edward Tufte, The visual Display of Qualitative Information and Envisioning Information.

In our activities recently with NIH image we have used the computer and software to translate and enhance our understanding of data.

  1. Describe how this software and the computer made our data more easily interpreted.
  2. What role does color play in our understanding of information such as in the coloring of your sea floor maps? or creating a color coded image on the computer.
  3. How does making a 3-D image help us to understand the information / data from the shoe box probe?

When you have finished these questions you may go on to preparing for the oil spill lab by looking at the pre - lab questions and web sites. Then work on these questions....

  1. Next week we will be studying the effectiveness of oil spill cleanup techniques. How will you measure your techniques success rates so that it can be displayed graphically? Describe your ideas and create a data table.
  2. We will be creating your graphic using the computer. What software could you possibly use for this? How will you import your data? you may want to explore a bit before answering this question.