MINI-PROJECTS DIRECTIONS

1.  Prepare one or more visualizations ( figures, graphs,  tables, etc.) based on existing figures and data from your own research (or a data set from your area of research if you have not collected it yourself) that together will allow you to vividly explain a key aspect of your research in ~ 10 - 15 minutes max.

2. Write an accompanying text for your visualizations and put it all together in a Tufte-style large-format handout.

3.  "Field test" your visualizations (before & after versions AND/OR early attempts & Tufte-enhanced versions) on some knowledgeable person who has NOT taken the Tufte class and have them choose which version they prefer and why.

4. Give a short Presentation of your project -- Day/Time TBD

5. Write a self critique essay about  your visualization exercise -- what you learned, what worked, what didn't work, what more you think you need to do, which Tufte principles you think are most applicable to your work, etc., etc.

 

GRADING RUBRIC
& MORE SPECIFIC GUIDELINES YOUR MINI-PROJECT PRESENTATIONS:

        click HERE for general DIRECTIONS posted above

**  % points will be allotted based on how well you address the goal or purpose of each graded item

Graded Item

Specifics

Comments

 Proportion of Grade **
VISUALIZATION  Prepare or re-work one or more visualizations  (figure, map, chart, table, etc. etc.) on some aspect of your research. Your visualization(s) should be designed according to the Tufte principles that you find the most compelling or appropriate for the needs of the information you are trying to convey 

NOTE: quality is more important than quality; a single figure, chart, map, etc. is fine if it suits your research communication purposes.

 40%
PRESENTATION Present some aspect of your research using good Tufte-inspired visualization(s) and following Tufte's suggestions for a good presentation.

Your presentation should describe and explain -- as clearly as possible -- some relevant aspect of your own research that is  illustrated by your visualization(s)

 

 Time allowed:  ~15 minutes

It can be done in Powerpoint (used primarily as a "slide projector" the way Tufte suggests) -- or "a cappella " using only your handout. 

The goal, naturally, is that your visualization will provide a clear description & explanation of key aspects of your research -- almost on its own -- aided in your presentation by your verbal commentary and your further elaboration of the most important things to notice.  (The latter might also be included in the accompanying handout).

 30%
HANDOUT Put together a data-rich /  information-rich "take home" handout ("technical report") that  might include the visualization itself and/or more information to accompany it.

The purpose of the handout is to provide more detailed communication, information transfer, & understanding about your research than can be delivered in a short verbal presentation -- as well as to stimulate follow-up interest in your work by the reader.

 NOTE:  The handout does not need to be in the "Tufte-preferred" format of a double-side, folded 11 x 17" page -- you can use a single double-sided 81/2 x 11" handout, or two 81/2 x 11" pages stapled together  if you need that more space.

For those of you at earlier stages of your research who may not have a data-rich store of information to include, prepare the handout in whatever way aids the understanding of the information in your visualization, and/or "map out" what kinds of information you would ideally like to include in such a handout once your work is further along.

 10%
"FIELD" TEST Describe how your Tufte-inspired figures were received by folks who have not read Tufte's books -- i.e.,  the results of the "Field Test" described in item #3 of the DIRECTIONS above. You may include this either in your oral presentation or in your self-critique (see below) 5%
SELF-CRITIQUE with
TUFTE COMMENTS		 Write up:

(1) a self-critique of your OWN visualization , and

(2) a  list or summary of the Tufte ideas and principles we've discussed this semester that you think will be the MOST useful to you and your work in the future.

 The critique  is due on or before Wednesday May 10th.

It should be double-spaced and 1-2 pages

Your self-critique (1) should include comments on what you like most about your visualization, what aspects of it you think have been improved by Tufte's ideas, how you could improve it further, etc. etc.

 15%
       

 

 Some suggestions for making presentations:

  1. Show up early
  2. State:  (a) what the problem is; (b) who cares  / relevance; (c) what the solution is  -- in one or two "paragraphs" of talking
  3. Never apologize
  4. Don't use "I" (first person) except for your opinion
  5. Give a handout; get the audience to do some reading
  6. Audiences are deserving of our endless respect; think the best you can of your audience (don't just "know your audience"); respect means to talk in a frank way
  7. Never alienate audience when using humor
  8. Don't use masculine pronouns when referring to both males and females; acceptable to use plural "their" instead of "his"
  9. Let people see you; come out from behind the podium
  10. Finish early!
  11. Practice, practice, practice
  12. Quality and integrity of content is all important