Application of AI to support data visualization teaching and learning
Department: Computer Science
Faculty Mentors: Dr. Carolina Veiga and Dr. Vetria Byrd
Focus: AI and Data Visualization
Project Description
AI (Artificial Intelligence) is everywhere! It’s seen in every aspect of daily life, from health and fitness to education; all fueled by data. Lots of data! Data visualization is the process of transforming data into meaning. This project will give students an opportunity to explore the intersection of AI, data visualization and the multidisciplinary nature of the two fields. This project aims to investigate how AI has been applied in data visualization education, which approaches, techniques, and architectures have been adopted, and how they have contributed to teaching, learning, engagement, and curiosity in undergraduate courses. The findings will help identify successful practices, highlight gaps, and reveal opportunities for developing new approaches to enhance both teaching and learning experiences.
Desired Skills
The successful applicant should be highly motivated to learn how to search for AI applications used in data visualization and for teaching. The student should have a curiosity for exploring AI tools for usability. The student will learn how to search for scientific papers using a rubric provided to identify relevant database platforms, search terms, organize and share digital files, and collaborate openly with other students.
Research Goals
The student will learn to develop research questions and explore the state of the art at the intersection of AI applications, data visualization, and education. They will be encouraged to search for scientific papers across multiple fields for a related topic, identify and categorize different types of AI (e.g., large language models, chatbots, machine learning), and analyze which approaches have been applied in visualization classes, particularly in contexts involving large cross-domain data. The student will also share their findings with the team and present their experience, insights, and results in the form of an abstract and a poster, thereby developing skills that will prepare them for future opportunities at high-level conferences.
Research Team
The successful applicant will meet with their mentors, Dr. Byrd and Dr. Veiga, who will introduce them to the project and explain its purpose, importance, and objectives. In this initial meeting, the applicant will learn about expectations and receive a mentorship plan. They will also have the opportunity to ask questions, share their experiences and skills, and discuss the new competencies they may develop throughout the project. Regular meetings will be held to review progress, discuss findings, address challenges, and adjust the research direction if necessary. The main goal is to provide the applicant with firsthand experience in a real-world research setting. This includes searching, organizing and analyzing existing scholarly work, formulating research questions, managing time effectively, documenting findings and methodologies, and developing scientific communication skills through the preparation of abstracts, posters, and presentations.
