Leveraging Popular Board Games to Teach Data Visualization

Abstract

To address the challenges in visualization education—particularly in motivating and engaging students—we propose the conceptual adaptation of popular board games into educational data visualization games. We present five unique adaptations ofwell-known board games, integrating their mechanics and materials into a data visualization learning process. For each game, we outline specific learning objectives and suggest strategies to extend the game-based approach to broader data visualization education. By combining familiar, engaging game mechanics with visualization content, we aim to foster critical engagement with the learning material while providing students with a foundational understanding of data visualization concepts. Early qualitative results from one of the games indicate a positive impact on players’ learning, boosting engagement and enjoyment.