Incorporating Visualization Research in Introductory Programming Course: Case Studies

Abstract

The importance of early research experience for undergraduate students has been stressed time and time again. This paper presents three case studies in which non-CS major students could gain a visualization research experience in their first programming course. In all case studies, students were given real climate data to visualize. In the first case study, students visualized spatial correlation between two variables (weather conditions) on a map so that viewers could infer areas in which the two variables were highly correlated in a positive or negative way, or areas with little to no correlation. In the second and third case studies, students generated single variable visualization and multidimensional visualization of two or four variables. In each of the three case studies the students were led through the process of understanding data, exploring different representations, and designing and implementing an agreed-upon visual representation. Increased number of students decided to take the next course in Computer Science compared to previous years without a research project. Feedback from the students suggests that they enjoyed using data they could understand and found the process and the final product rewarding and applicable to projects in their major and courses.