Communicating With Data

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Visual Storytelling: Communicating with Data

(Fall 23, PAF/494 & PAF/591)

 

Welcome to my page describing ‘Visual Storytelling: Communicating with Data’….a course I’ll be teaching at ASU’s Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions. My name is Mike Sharkey and I believe that data have the power to enhance the efficacy of what we communicate. Whether it’s personal, professional, written, oral, narrative, or any other style of communication, using data can increase the impact of the point you’re trying to get across. You’ve probably seen examples of how data enhances stories you’ve read…here’s your chance to try your hand at it!

This course will teach you hands-on techniques for analyzing data and preparing data for use in supporting the story you want to tell. Here’s how the course is broken down:

  1. Why Communicate with Data?
    This introductory module sets the stage. What are the reasons for using data to help tell a story? What kind of data are we talking about? Where do you get your data from?
  2. Basic Data Analysis
    Here’s where we dive right in. We’ll grab some data and jump right in to analyzing (mangling!) it. The bar isn’t set too high — we’ll use Excel or Google Sheets so that there are no barriers to entry. My goal here is to give you the experience and ability to do basic data analysis on your own
  3. Advanced Data Analysis
    We’ll get a peek behind the curtains here. There’s a lot of depth in advanced data analysis, so we’ll be less hands-on here. It’s more about exposing you to the wonderful things you can do if you choose to take the data red pill at some point in your career
  4. Data Visualization
    Now that we know how to mess around with data, it’s time to make it pretty. This module is all about creating a viz that speaks on its own. The viewer should get the gist of the story just by glancing at the viz. I guarantee this will be a fun and creative exercise
  5. Crafting a Story
    This is a refresher on basic communications. What’s the purpose of the communication you’re pulling together? Who is the audience? What’s the tone?
  6. Using Data to Support Your Story
    Here’s where we pull it all together. We’ll work on a capstone story (like a blog post). The goal here isn’t depth of research or number of words in your post. It’s about how well you use data and visualizations to support the story you’re trying to tell
You should take this course if… You probably won’t take this course if…
  • you believe that data are powerful
  • you’ve always wanted to get hands-on with data
  • you want to improve your communication skills
  • you’re only looking to develop your technical data analysis skills
  • you don’t think data are important to your career path
  • you don’t find this webcomic to be funny

Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions. See you in class!