DS415a
From data to knowledge: interpretation, visualization, presentation
Faculty
Alex Dainiak
Associate Professor at Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology
Course length
Duration
Total hours
Credits
Language
Course type
Fee for single course
Fee for degree students
Skills you’ll learn
Overview
We’re living in a data-driven world, but we don’t really need any data on its own. We need the data only if it allows us to make decisions, come up with ideas, support (or shatter!) our beliefs, and communicate with our colleagues. Vision is the primary perception channel that we use to make sense of the world. In the course, we will learn some efficient ways of interpreting the data visually to make sense of it and to communicate the findings with others, be it through a research paper, a corporate meeting, or a landing webpage.
Learning highlights
- Asking meaningful questions about the available data and answering them visually.
- Putting data in the context of a story.
- Presenting data effectively even with static images.
- Creating data-friendly interactive presentations using JavaScript.
- Creating dashboards that empower, not frustrate analysts.
Course outline
15 classes
Course introduction
Course motivation and a bit of history
The Data: recap
Types of datasets, data attributes, questions to ask about the data, challenges of data sensemaking
The Visual Mind
How visual perception works and how we can use this for exploration and presentation
Visualization Zoo
Types of diagrams
To Each Their Own pt. 1
Learning to match the type of diagram with the question about the data
Critique Session pt. 1
Critiquing diagrams and searching for improvement
To Each Their Own pt. 2
Learning to match the parameters of the diagram with the type of medium
Going Interactive
Concepts of dashboards and interactive presentations
The Toolbox pt. 1
Learning the tools for building static and interactive presentations.
The Toolbox pt. 2
More on the tools for building presentations.
Critique Session pt. 2
Critiquing dashboards and interactive presentations
Case Studies
More real-life examples of data presentation successes and failures.
Project Discussion
We help each other prepare a great project presentation
Project Presentation
Showing off what we’ve learned
Project presentation
Showing off what we’ve learned
Prerequisites
Basics of working with data (e.g. python pandas, spreadsheet software).
Basics of statistics (average, variance, regression).
Basics of programming (preferably Python or Javascript).
Methodology
The practical nature of the course includes many learning-by-doing activities. These activities range from critiquing some given data presentations to developing a web interactive dashboard and presenting a slideshow.
Grading
Alex was born in Moscow in 1985. His first encounter with programming happened in 1998 at a Pascal circle and that was love at first sight (or, better said, first line of code).
Alex teaches math and programming since graduating from the Moscow State University.
See full profileApply for this course
From data to knowledge: interpretation, visualization, presentation
by Alex Dainiak
Total hours
30 Hours
Dates
Aug 22 - Sep 02, 2022
Fee for single course
€1000
Fee for degree students
€500
How to secure your spot
Complete the form below to kickstart your application
Schedule your Harbour.Space interview
If successful, get ready to join us on campus
FAQ
Will I receive a certificate after completion?
Yes. Upon completion of the course, you will receive a certificate signed by the director of the program your course belonged to.
Do I need a visa?
This depends on your case. Please check with the Spanish or Thai consulate in your country of residence about visa requirements. We will do our part to provide you with the necessary documents, such as the Certificate of Enrollment.
Can I get a discount?
Yes. The easiest way to enroll in a course at a discounted price is to register for multiple courses. Registering for multiple courses will reduce the cost per individual course. Please ask the Admissions Office for more information about the other kinds of discounts we offer and what you can do to receive one.