Data visualization in fine arts education: An A/r/tographic research

The accumulations and gains that people define as knowledge consist of data and data sets. The most effective method used to better understand the data and highlight its effectiveness is to visualize the data. By using different visual expression languages, the data can be understood more easily and accurately. With the developing technology, the increase in the use of visual information systems has created new needs in visual culture communication. Visual arts education stands at an important point on how to use this constantly developing and changing information. The aim of this study is to think about the meaning of the word "data visualization" in the widest way and to experience, observe and offer solutions in the process of its integration into fine arts education with a/r/tography education and project-based learning model. This research was shaped by the data collected during the 16-week course with Anadolu University, Fine Arts Education Department 4th grade graphic master art students in the Fall and Spring semester of the 2021-2022 academic year. The participants of the research are 12 students who chose this course and agreed to be a participant, 2 field experts, the lecturer and the researcher. In this research, document analysis, observations, video and audio recordings, student diaries, researcher diaries and semi-structured interviews were used as data collection tools, and the obtained data were analyzed using the "descriptive analysis method". The rhizomatic structure created by the students in the process was discussed, and the importance of a/r/tography education supported by the project-based learning model in fine arts education was revealed. Keywords: Data visualization, Art education, A/r/tography education, A/r/tographic inquiry, Project-based learning.