Título: Visualizing the critique: Strengthening quantitative reasoning skills through design
Autor: Weinstein, Kathryn
Resumen: [EN] In the age of “Big Data,” information is often quantitative in nature. The
ability to analyze information through the sifting of data has been identified
as a core competency for success in navigating daily life and participation in
the contemporary workforce. This skill, known as Quantitative Reasoning
(QR), is characterized by the ability to integrate arithmetic, statistics,
visualizations and models for the analysis and interpretation of information.
For students intending to pursue careers in graphic design, QR competencies
are essential for the design of effective visual displays of information.
This case study provides design educators with an assignment they can use to
introduce students to data analytics and visualization strategies. The study
describes how, in two sections of an undergraduate Information Design
course, the final critique of a mid-term project was replaced with an
anonymous survey instead of the traditional delivery of feedback through
verbal dialogue. Responses were collated, stripped of identifiers, and
distributed to the class with directions to create data visualizations of the
critique.
The study reveals the potential of the assignment to strengthen the role of
students as active participants in the feedback process, clarify the criteria for
assessment, and deliver focused feedback to improve student work.
