Supporting Student Success with Intuitive, Approachable Data Visualization

Abstract

New discoveries surrounding the mechanisms and function of human visual acuity have come with increasing rapidity, each clarifying the astounding pattern recognition, image retention, and processing speed of the human visual cognition system. However, the relationship between institutions of higher learning and data visualization can be classified as embryotic at best. This chapter will examine such a new paradigm in data visualization for higher education, examining obstacles and clearly defining benefits that have been illustrated through real-world case studies utilizing appropriate technologies. For data visualization to offer the most tangible value as student success assets in an educational setting, visualizations need to be made as functionally and cognitively accessible to students and faculty as possible, allowing both to actively share in data prudent for performance improvement and success.