Visualizing data is crucial part of 21st Century Learning. Students need to be able to look at data and interpret what the data means. I think this is where math and science classes play a large role! In mathematics we teach graphing and ways of representing data so we can understand the implications of the data. Students need to know how to read and create many different graphs including pie charts, bar charts, line graphs. Students need to be able to look at trends that occur on graphs so students can make conclusions from the data.
Teachers can help with this skill by giving many examples of different ways to represent information of data and by discussing the meaning of the graphs. As I think back to a project I assigned my students on college costs, I wish I would have specifically told them to include a graph in their project. They came up with a list of numbers that they could compare college costs, but I think if they would have made a graph it would have made more of a lasting impact. These examples should be throughout all content areas so students see the need to represent data throughout different areas.
In science there are pieces of equipment used to visually represent data and help students draw conclusions. The Vernier Labquest (see picture to the right) along with CPO equipment has data collectors that can be set to give students graphs. These graphs help students to see trends. As a science teacher it is important to discuss the meaning of these graphs with students so they can make conclusions.
Additionally, teaching students how to create infographics would be a helpful tool. It could be extremely helpful outside of the classroom to convey information to others in a professional setting. It can also be used to persuade one to look at a topic from a different viewpoint.
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