Making Effective Data Visualizations

Visualizing data is an important part of exploring what is in the data.

Graphing in Science & Social Studies - Samples & What to Look For

The intention of this resource is to provide samples of what different graph types should look like and what to look for when students are creating them across grade levels.

• Sample graph & components highlighted
• When to use different graph types by grade level
• Suggested components for a graphing rubric

VISUALIZING DATA RESOURCES:

Here are some sights about data visualizations if you want to jump down the rabbit hole :) 

• The Data Visualisation Catalogue - LOTS of graph types explained and good visuals
• From Data to Viz - helps you determine which graph type to use based on your data
• FlowingData’s Catalog of visualization types to find the one that fits your dataset
• Data Viz Project - description of different graph types with examples 
• Perceptual Edge’s Examples of bad graphs and description of why they are not well designed for communication
• EvergreenData Blog - Weekly tips and tricks for making better graphs that communicate the story
• Optical Illusions & Visual Phenomena - explore different visual illusions

GRAPHING PLATFORMS/SOFTWARE ALTERNATIVES TO GOOGLE SHEETS:

Google Sheets is a good place to make quick look graphs, but it is actually a spreadsheet program that we have round-peg-square-holed into a graphing program. Here are some other (free) programs that are specifically built to be a graphing program:

• Tuva - tools designed to help students make and manipulate graphs quickly
• CODAP - graphing simulation and real world data
• Infogram - Create infographics, charts, and maps
• ArcGIS for Schools Bundle - online free access to ESRI’s GIS mapping software
• Tableau Public - data tool built for workforce, so has a bigger lift of entry