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iHub By Lillian Nduati / October 11, 2012

Introduction to Infographics and Data Visualization

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Visualization, according to Nathan Yau in Visualize This ,  is one of the best ways to explore and try to understand large data sets.

The Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas is launching its first “massive open online course” or MOOC, a new kind of e-learning program designed for a large number of students – it is free and accessible to anyone from anywhere in the world with an Internet connection.

What this means is that visualization and info graphics is not just for the data journalists, statisticians and researchers. You too can learn how to visualize that important information that you have in a way that is easily understood by others.

It will be interesting to see how this niche grows in the  East African region, as efforts in opening up data through Kenya Open Data Initiative (KODI), efforts in translating this data into applications , systems and platforms that can be used by citizens (Code4Kenya) and Visualizations and Infographics gain momentum.

Introduction to Infographics and Data Visualization from Knight Center on Vimeo.

The popularity of visualization and info graphics has risen, as different industries – particularly journalism  and research -which have been dealing with data for many years, wholly embrace the powers of visualization, and data representation to tell great stories, and show impact at a glance. (See How The Guardian does it)

I have seen a huge boom in just these past few years, and it keeps getting better. Improvements in technology have made it extremely easy to collect and store data , and the web lets you access it whenever you want. This wealth in data can , in the right hands, provide a wealth of information to help improve decision making, communicate ideas more clearly, and provide a more objective window looking in at how you look at the world and yourself.  - Nathan Yau 

Author : Lillian Nduati

Lillian runs Media and Communication for iHub and its initiatives, and is also the iHub Editor. She writes opinion and analysis on ICT issues in the region. @nananduati