Evaluating the Impact of a Constructivist Approach to Treemap Literacy

Area of Science:

• Learning Sciences
• Information Visualization
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Constructivist learning theory posits that learners build knowledge actively.
• Effective data visualization techniques are crucial for understanding complex information.
• Treemaps are a space-filling visualization method for hierarchical data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a constructivist approach for teaching Treemaps visualization.
• To compare learning outcomes between interactive Treemaps and node-link diagrams.
• To assess the impact of synchronized multiview representations on Treemaps comprehension.

Main Methods:

• Developed interactive software with synchronized multiview representations.
• Employed a constructivist learning strategy to introduce Treemaps.
• Compared two student groups: one using node-link diagrams with Treemaps, the other using only interactive Treemaps.

Main Results:

• Both groups showed significant learning improvements in Treemaps.
• Students using only interactive Treemaps outperformed the other group.
• Interactive Treemaps enhanced skills in reading and interpreting Treemaps data.

Conclusions:

• A constructivist approach effectively introduces Treemaps visualization.
• Interactive Treemaps alone are more effective for learning Treemaps interpretation than combined node-link and Treemaps methods.
• Learner-centered interactive tools enhance data visualization comprehension.