Episode Summary: This episode features Jon Schwabish, an economist and data visualization expert, who discusses how school administrators can use data visualization to better understand and communicate data to improve their schools.
Key Takeaways:
- Data visualization can help school administrators quickly understand their data and make better decisions. Visualizing data can reveal trends and patterns that might not be apparent from looking at raw data in spreadsheets.
- School administrators should use a variety of graph types to communicate data effectively. Different graphs are better suited for different types of data and audiences.
- Qualitative data, such as student stories and experiences, is just as important as quantitative data. Qualitative data can provide context and insights that numbers alone cannot.
- School administrators should have a clear goal in mind when visualizing data. What do they want their audience to learn or do with the information?
Actionable Steps:
- Start by identifying your audience and what they need from the data.
- Consider the platform where the data will be presented.
- Use clear and concise language to explain the data.
- Walk people through the data step by step, especially if they are not familiar with the graph type.
- Use visual elements, such as color, size, and position, to highlight important information.
Resources:
- Jon Schwabish's website: policyviz.com
- Jon Schwabish on social media: @JSchwabish
- Qualitative data analysis tools: Envivo, Dedoose, Atlas.ti
Call to Action:
- Take the time to create effective data visualizations.
- Use data to identify problems and solutions in your school.
- Communicate data clearly and effectively to all stakeholders.
