The VisTools Marketplace: An Activity to Understand the Landscape of Visualisation Tools
Arran L. Ridley, Sarah Schöttler, Aba‐Sah Dadzie, Benjamin Bach · Edinburgh Research Explorer (University of Edinburgh) · 2020
This paper presents the VisTools Marketplace, a learning activity to engage learners in understanding tools for visualisation and sharing individual knowledge about tools. With the growing number of tools for data exploration and the creation of visualisations, e.g., for visual communication, it is important to provide bespoke learning resources and teach learners the diversity and individual characteristics of tools. Our activity follows a peer-learning approach and is structured into two parts: a discussion among ‘experts’ about known tools and their experience with these tools; and a discussion phase in which ‘novices’ discuss with ‘experts’ and try to place tools within a simple framework. Preliminary feedback from running this activity as part of an online course with professionals indicates high engagement and lasting discussions.