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871-0226-00L 1 Credits DZ , SHE D-MAVT , D-INFK , D-MATH , D-PHYS , D-BIOL , D-ERDW , D-ITET , D-CHAB , D-HEST

Effective Teaching with Visualizations

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Martina Rau, Ipek Paksoy

Simultaneous enrolment in or successful completion of the course ‘871-0240-00L Human Learning (EW1)’.

VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:07:24

Abstract

This seminar introduces effective use of visualizations to support learning in STEM education. Students evaluate visual tools like images, graphs, animations, simulations, and gestures for their pedagogical impact, and decide when and how to integrate them in instruction to enhance understanding while avoiding misconceptions.

Objective

Seminar participants will learn how to evaluate visualizations for their pedagogical impact. They will learn how to assess when it is worth using visualizations, how many visualizations they should offer, and how they can embed visualizations in teaching materials to avoid misconceptions while promoting learning.

Content

Visualizations are an integral part of STEM subjects. Visualizations can make learning content intuitively accessible. However, visualizations can also create misconceptions. For example, ball-and-stick models chemistry can create the misconception that chemical bonds are static connections between atoms. In order to avoid such misconceptions, the seminar teaches effective pedagogical methods with visualizations while building on theories introduced in EW1. Hands-on activities with various visualization methods (e.g. images, graphs, animations, simulations, hand gestures) will help seminar participants to create effective learning materials with visualizations for their own discipline.

General Information

Language: English
Levels: DZ , SHE
Frequency: Yearly recurring

Examination

Type: ungraded semester performance

Registration & Places

Max Places: 30

Course Components

Type	Title	Time & Place	Hours
seminar	Effective Teaching with Visualizations	No time listed	2 h weekly

Offered In

Educational Science for Teaching Diploma and TC (These are the general course offerings of the programmes Teaching Diploma (TD) - categories Educational Science and Compulsory Elective Courses - and Teaching Certificate (TC) - category Educational Science.)