Data 101: Data Visualization, Data Literacy, and Storytelling

Teaches foundational data literacy, including exploration of basic concepts in data visualization, storytelling, and mapping—all using printed materials without computers

by Western Pennsylvania Regional Data Center and Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

Target Skill Level: Beginner

Audience: Nonprofit staff, government staff, librarians, students, and journalists

“Data 101” is a training series that teaches foundational skills and concepts to help people become data literate. Participants learn concepts in data visualization, data storytelling, and mapping. The training emphasizes the use of paper over software first to add context to when and why the technology can be helpful. This is the first workshop in the series. The next two workshops introduce software tools ("Map your Data" and “Making Charts from Spreadsheets”).

Most of the participants in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, have been computer literate, with limited experience working with data. Each class is given to about 40 attendees at a time. UCSUR has received requests from at least five additional organizations (including the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, the Allegheny County Library System, and a local foundation) to expand the series to serve their organization or community.

To read more, check out this blog from Liz Monk and Eleanor Tutt.

In 2018, WPRDC published a Data 101 toolkit.