This document outlines a 4-step exercise to teach students data visualization basics through collecting and mapping local coffee shop prices. [1] Students are split into groups to collect price data and create a Google spreadsheet. [2] They then gather price data from various sources like calls, websites and crowdsourcing. [3] In class, groups use Google Fusion to turn their spreadsheets into interactive maps visualizing coffee prices. [4] The exercise culminates in prizes for the best maps.

1. Teaching Data Visualization
Through Coffee Prices
Photo by Brian Legate (Flickr) #jiconf / 2.8.13
Jake
Batsell, SMU
@jbatsell

2. Introducing
students to
“data
journalism”
can be
Image by Brett Jordan(Flickr)
INTIMIDATING

3. By adapting an exercise from Thornburg’s
“Producing Online News” and adding a
dose of caffeinated competition...
STUDENTS CAN
MASTER THE
BASICS OF
DATA
VISUALIZATION
IN 48 HOURS.

4. STEP ONE:
Put students in small groups.
The mission
• Use a combination of reporting
skills and data tools to create an
interactive map that visualizes
local coffee prices.*
* 16 oz. drip
Photo by codepo8 (Flickr)

5. STEP ONE (cont’d):
Groups create reporting strategy.
• Settle on data elements.
• Create Google spreadsheet.
• Agree on reporting methods:
Shoe-leather, phone calls, Web
research, crowdsourcing, etc.
Photo by codepo8 (Flickr)

6. STEP TWO:
Collecting the data.
• Finalized spreadsheets
due by start of next class.
• Standardizing is key.
• If crowdsourcing, must vet
contributions and decide
whether to use them as
is, correct them, or exclude.

7. STEP THREE:
Visualizing the data.
• Groups reconvene
in class to turn
spreadsheets into
interactive maps with
Google Fusion.
• Class time is for
polishing and
troubleshooting only;
no additional reporting.

8. STEP FOUR:
PRIZES!!
More details, links & resources:
http://j.mp/teachdataviz
@jbatsell
jbatsell@smu.e
du