Seeing Things Differently: A Form and Function Analysis of Student-Generated Dynamic Data Visualizations

• In Event: 28.057 - Advanced Technologies for Learning Paper Session

Abstract

There are calls to integrate data visualization into K-12 instruction. But just as with other epistemic tools and practices such as modeling and simulation, students’ understandings of data visualization are likely to vary—especially given the prevalence of data visualization in public discourse. We present analyses of data from a longitudinal interview study in which students ages 10-14 created their own data visualizations using a programmable digital ink tool. Participants’ discourse and artifacts were analyzed using a form-function lens (Saxe, 1994) to explore: What was the nature and purpose of these data visualizations for the students who designed them? We present examples of five significantly different treatments of data visualization among participants, with implications for curriculum development and future research.

Authors

• Vasiliki Laina, University of California-Berkeley

• Michelle Hoda Wilkerson, University of California - Berkeley