Simple Tables to Graphs

I began this assignment by roaming the RWU website for statistical data. I found the different costs of all the residence halls and decided that the information would translate nicely to chart and graph representations. The residence halls are polarized around suite style living arrangements and apartment style living arrangements. These arrangements are then subdivided into denominations of how many people live with you.

I began by jotting down my independent and dependent variables (residence hall and prices respectively). I then attempted to make a table on excel. Given my computer illiteracy and impatience I gave that up shortly to make it on powerpoint. Creating this simple table on powerpoint was actually very easy and smooth. The table I feel is simple, accurate, and efficient.

I then used this data on the table to make my bar graph. Using varying colors to represent the different types of living arrangements, one can easily compare prices. Again I used powerpoint to create this bar graph and when doing so it automatically opened up excel and through trial and error I was able to figure out how to configure it.

In conclusion, I realized that using a table to represent data made it easier to identify variables and thus reduces the cognitive load. Creating a visual representation makes it even easier since disparities become apparent and thus reduces further the cognitive load. The information on the RWU website is difficult to compare and thus I would recommend a set up such as the ones above to make it easier to comprehend.

Flow Charts

I kept once principle in mind while creating these flow charts; use the simplest symbols possible. Keeping this in mind I set out to create these flow charts and was determined to keep them concise but still entailing of vital information. I tried to do the flow chart on excel, however my lack of computer competence obstructed my efforts.

On the first flow chart (buying book on amazon), I actually went through and did the process to familiarize myself with it. After going through and actually coming to crossroads I decided to jot down on a piece a notebook paper exactly what I did. I did it once as a returning customer and a second time as a new customer ( I actually had to create a new gmail account to attain this experience). After establishing comfort with the process I started the flow chart. I tried to use as much as the paper as possible and to make it symmetric. Unfortunately I ended up with a blank space in the upper right corner that I wish I had used. The flow of the chart is actually easy to read however, and I did find escapes for the loops that stemmed from decisions. I only used a diamond when I came across a diamondesque situation when going through the process myself.

Again, on the second flow chart I used the exact same approach. I went through and actually tried the process myself to familiarize myself with it. I jotted down my steps, and again while simultaneously keeping in mind to use the simplest symbols possible, I created this. A flow chart with no diamond, I hope its still a flow chart. The reason I drew it out as so was because this process worked successfully for me while running a search. Thus, I excluded the usage of a question.

Visual Essay

So as I sat back and pondered about what in the world I would tackle for this assignment, I focused on attempting to improve a visual that shows "how something works". However, I did not want to settle on anything generic such as the process of photosynthesis or how to tie a tie. I was thinking about life cycles, and then I recalled watching a show on animal planet that discussed the incredible and complex life cycle of a parasite.

After much googling I found the parasite that I had been looking for. Its name is Dicrocoelium dendriticum. After familiarizing myself with its life cycle I then searched for a visual representation of its life cycle. I found quite a few, but noticed that some were either too simple, and others were too complex to quickly decipher. Thus and aha moment, and I soon found my subject for this assignment.

I chose the visual that I found particularly hard to decipher since there was a lack of wording and a flip flopping between drawn and photographed material.

Thus in my example I sought to address those two problem areas of the original. I decided to stick to cartoon representations accompanied by brief explanations of what the cycle entails of. The audience I targeted with its construction are children of middle school age. The reason I chose to do this was because I recall as a child looking at scientific visuals and finding them difficult to understand at first glance due to its complexity.

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When drawing this out I decided to use the universal languages of math, science and numbers to convey a chronological sequence. I tried to be as vivid as possible with my drawings to make the process an easy one to understand.

The further I went, the more I realized that perhaps I had made the process too elaborate. I should have made the process more concise and short enough to be on one page.I realized that I am a very organized and straightforward thinker (which means I use the left (?) side of my brain).

I also realized that my crayons don't have that "in your face" factor :( I should probably make the move towards markers or something bolder.

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