Teaching Critical Visualization: A Field Report

TL;DR

This paper reports on an experimental course in Critical Visualization, exploring its content and structure, and demonstrating success in fostering critical thinking, communication, and theoretical knowledge among students.

Contribution

It introduces a novel course format using a scavenger hunt approach to teach Critical Visualization and discusses its effectiveness and potential improvements.

Findings

Course successfully developed critical thinking skills

Students improved communication about complex ideas

Knowledge of visualization theories was enhanced

Abstract

Critical Visualization is gaining popularity and academic focus, yet relatively few academic courses have been offered to support students in this complex area. This experience report describes a recent experimental course on the topic, exploring both what the topic could be as well as an experimental content structure (namely as scavenger hunt). Generally the course was successful, achieving the learning objectives of developing critical thinking skills, improving communication about complex ideas, and developing a knowledge about theories in the area. While improvements can be made, we hope that humanistic notions of criticality are embraced more deeply in visualization pedagogy.