Final Project: Interactive Data Storytelling with Tableau
Course: STAT 101 – Introduction to Data
Semester: Fall 2024
Institution: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Overview
As a culminating assignment for the course, students worked in small groups to design and present an interactive Tableau dashboard based on a real-world dataset of their choosing. This project invited students to apply the statistical skills and concepts learned throughout the semester in a meaningful, creative, and collaborative way.
Goals of the Project
- Develop competency in exploratory data analysis and visualization
- Practice working with real-world data: cleaning, summarizing, and interpreting
- Use Tableau to tell a data-driven story through interactive visualizations
- Build skills in communication, collaboration, and critical thinking
- Connect statistical tools to students’ personal interests and questions
Project Requirements
Students were responsible for the following deliverables:
- Dataset: Publicly sourced (e.g., Kaggle, government, or academic sources) or self-collected
- Dashboard:
- At least three distinct chart types (e.g., bar, map, scatterplot)
- At least two interactive features (e.g., filters, tooltips, parameters)
- A cohesive story or theme guiding the dashboard’s structure
- Written Report: 2–3 pages describing the dataset, visualizations, and key findings
- Presentation: 8–10 minutes demonstrating the dashboard and insights
Project Examples
Why This Project Works Pedagogically
Authentic, Student-Centered Learning
Students chose their own datasets and questions, fostering real engagement and ownership of their work.
“The team projects are very helpful for applying the skills we learned… it is much easier for the topics to click when you have to do some kind of activity based on the topic.” -Student Fall 2024 (Course Evaluation)
Real-World Communication and Critical Thinking
Students created dashboards that required interpretation and storytelling — not just making charts. They had to identify trends, explain outliers, and guide viewers through a narrative using data.
Visualization as Conceptual Bridge
For many students, working with Tableau helped statistical concepts become more concrete and engaging.
“• The most positive learning experience in this class this semester was learning how to use Tableau visualizations because it helped me see statistics in new and profound ways.” -Student Fall 2024 (Course Evaluation)
In response to "Describe the most positive learning experience(s) in this class" - “Working through Tableau and being encouraged by Dr. Stanke to have fun with it.” -Student Fall 2024 (Course Evaluation)
Collaboration and Community
Group work allowed students to collaborate meaningfully, build communication skills, and support one another’s learning.
“ Being able to interact with my group was a lot of fun, and I feel like we were given the chance to explore subjects that were of mathematical and personal interest to us.” -Student Fall 2024 (Course Evaluation)
“The most positive learning experience that I have had in this class is learning with the groups that each student was assigned to, as I was able to meet new friends who are interested in the same things as me. ” -Student Fall 2024 (Course Evaluation)