Designing with Data: An Educator’s Guide to Getting Started with Looker Studio

Description

How can educators turn raw data into clear, compelling visuals that tell a story? What if you could transform your spreadsheets into interactive dashboards in just a few clicks? Looker Studio (formerly Google Data Studio) makes data visualization simple, accessible, and powerful. Educators can use it to track student progress, monitor school initiatives, or visualize classroom metrics—all in one easy-to-navigate platform. Whether you're completely new to data dashboards or just looking for a creative way to display information, this session will give you the confidence to get started. Join Lauren Boucher for a guided tour of Looker Studio where you'll explore sample dashboards, learn how to connect your data sources (like Google Sheets), and discover best practices for designing clear, engaging visuals. You'll leave with a Looker Studio overview guide, customizable dashboard templates, and a step-by-step planning tool to kickstart your first project.

Objectives

1. Identify key components and tools within the Google Looker Studio interface.
2. Explain how Looker Studio connects to different data sources.
3. Create a simple data visualization using real or sample classroom data.
4. Compare different dashboard layouts to determine which best communicates insights.
5. Assess the effectiveness of a dashboard based on clarity and usability.
6. Design an original Looker Studio dashboard for classroom or school use.

Key Take Aways

• Navigate the Google Looker Studio platform and understand its core features and layout.
• Connect data sources like Google Sheets to create dynamic visualizations.
• Explore and customize sample dashboards to fit your classroom or school needs.
• Apply design principles that make your data clear, engaging, and actionable.