By Bradford Dykes (Grand Valley State University)
Information
In this session we illustrate techniques which support students in analyzing data visualizations. Grounded in research on how people make sense of graphics – that viewers must read the data, read between the data, and read beyond the data – we will include a brief background on this research and demonstrations of these techniques. These materials help teachers guide students through data discovery, interpretation, and critical analysis, promoting stronger historical thinking and data literacy. Shreiner and Dykes (2025) highlight how one of these techniques (slow reveal graphs), “offers a powerful method for teaching critical data literacy when taught with fidelity, allowing students time to notice, wonder, and discuss” through observing teachers’ classroom instruction. These techniques engage students of varying abilities and comfort levels, providing time to discuss social and political topics that they identify to be historically and instructionally significant. We will provide participants with access to resources that apply the techniques to Library of Congress and other primary source data visualizations, so they have concrete materials to use in their classrooms.
New site: https://dl4ss.com/
Original site: https://sites.google.com/view/slowrevealforsocialstudies/home