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In many schools you will see a data display of some kind that attempts to communicate to stakeholders how the school is progressing on their school improvement goals.
The first post in this series introduced the overall criteria for displaying your school’s data.
The second post in this series shared tips for making the display simple and easy to understand.
The third post addressed how to make the display attractive.
The fourth post in this series will discuss how to make your data display understandable when the patron passing by only has 30 seconds to look at it.
How to make your data display readable in 30 seconds.
1. Display one concept or trend per graph as described in earlier posts.
2. Title the graph with the actual concept you are trying to display. If your goal is to show the increases in student Writing performance you should title your graph, “XYZ Elementary improves 10% in Writing”
3. Put a large, visible thought bubble or bulleted item in a different color - somewhere near the graph that explains what the reader is supposed to learn from looking at the data display. This explains to reader very quickly what the graph actually displays - without the reader having to study it.
4. Make the graph large and colorful and set the X andY axis so that the trend is seen easily. If the graph is meant to show an increase then you want the trend line to go up at an angle that makes the trend easily visible.
5. Here is one way to think about it. The graph with it’s colors and trend lines communicates a feeling of success or disappointment - perhaps communicating the emotional reaction. The title of the graph and the thought bubble next to it - tell the reader what to think. If the results are meant to show progress then the trend line should go up sharply indicating growth. If you are trying to demonstrate a significant decline in a trend, then you should set the X and Y axis so they show a sharp decline. In either case the picture communicates the emotion, the words and explanations communicate the concept.
The last post in this series will address, “How to make sure your display answers the essential question and is appropriate for your intended audience.”
Excellent suggestions!