What is this?

Desktop Data! Experience the power of maps using items from your backpack.

Activity: Desktop Data Shuffle

Learning Goal: To help learners understand how to organize information and look at data through multiple lenses. To help them develop critical thinking, observation, sensemaking, and creative problem-solving skills.

Data surrounds us, and building basic data visualization skills is a critical competency for every student. By mapping data with a range of frameworks, we can discover hidden relationships, articulate ideas, and spot patterns and opportunities. Maps are important tools for telling stories. Understanding how they work, and how to use them for yourself will enhance your skills of analysis, synthesis, spatial reasoning, and storytelling.

This activity walks you through how to take data from your backpack, purse, desktop, or kitchen cabinet and use different frameworks to sort it and find new relationships and possibilities.

Want More?

Learn more about The Secret Language of Maps.

Exam Copies for Educators

To request a complimentary examination copy to review for use in your classroom, contact Penguin Random House Education for PreK–12 Education or for Higher Education.