Activity: Which charts would you choose? (Version 2)

• Display sample charts to full class.
• Ask the class / create poll questions:
  • Which chart should you use if you were tracking:
    • Disease spread over time? [Line. Why? Able to show continuous data]
    • Each student’s favorite color within a class? [Pie or Bar]
    • Number of students per course at a University? [Bar. Why can’t you use pie? Because students are in multiple courses so they don’t represent a whole when added together]

Note: substitute the charts and questions with your favorite line, bar, and pie charts or those that are related to the audience’s interests

Sample images:

• Line chart from Spurious Correlations - Total revenues generated by arcades vs. Computer Science doctorates
• Bar graph from PHD Comics
• Pie chart from Doghouse Diaries

Total recommended time

• 5-8 minutes

Tools/materials required

• Way to show sample chart
• Way to have a group discussion