Roboviz: A Game-Centered Project for Information Visualization Education

Area of Science:

• Computer Science
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Educational Technology

Background:

• Large final projects are common in information visualization courses, offering pedagogical benefits.
• However, these projects often face challenges like ambiguous goals, data constraints, and time spent on non-visualization tasks such as data cleaning.
• These issues can hinder student learning and project success.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce an alternative project format for information visualization courses.
• To address common pedagogical challenges in large visualization projects.
• To create a flexible and engaging learning experience focused on visualization design.

Main Methods:

• Developed Roboviz, a real-time game centered around building visualization-focused interfaces.
• Designed game mechanics incorporating four distinct data types to enable diverse interactive visualizations.
• Students play in teams, competing to collect robots, fostering strategic thinking and problem-solving.

Main Results:

• Roboviz facilitates a wide array of interactive visualizations by design.
• The game's flexible strategies encourage diverse approaches and the resolution of complex design constraints.
• Student projects over two years demonstrate the game's effectiveness and adaptability.

Conclusions:

• Roboviz provides a viable and effective alternative to traditional information visualization projects.
• The game-based approach enhances student focus on core visualization principles and interactive design.
• The game mechanics are adaptable for other game-based educational projects in related fields.