Revising and rethinking asynchronous data literacy modules: Addition of practical data visualization skills for students of all abilities

Abstract

Previously a group of librarians created a set of data literacy modules. These were designed to be online asynchronous, taken either in unison or separately, mostly for STEM disciplines with hopes of being useful outside these areas too. This flexibility was intentional from initial planning, so they could be plug-and-play for faculty to incorporate into their courses or helpful to students looking for a self-paced workshop. There was interest in incorporating the modules into a graduate program consisting of predominantly non-traditional students. However they desired some practical skills, particularly in the data analysis and visualization modules, to complement the mostly theoretical concepts already presented. After some rethinking, a set of over 15 videos were created explaining the graph type and anatomy, then showing how to make the visualization, using data that was not STEM based, mostly in GoogleSheets and Microsoft Excel. The videos were incorporated into the module, making them more inclusive for learners at all levels; they are also freely available on the Libraries' YouTube channel so they are not locked away within the module. In sharing these with other librarians, they've been linked to from STEM and non-STEM LibGuides - furthering their reach. The videos have gotten decent use, despite not yet being fully incorporated into the program that requested them. Moving forward, future data literacy materials the librarians create will be more mindful of students of all abilities and not miss out opportunities to help learners from wherever they are starting from. The format of future learning materials may also be reconsidered - incorporating a mix of larger modules and videos on specific skills.