Learning activity

Peer review of data visualisation report designs

Template to help student groups critically evaluate peer-created data visualisation reports, providing structured, evidence-based feedback on visual design choices, data encoding, and adherence to key data visualisation principles.

Download template

Use template

Created by:

Ruhi Bajaj

University of Auckland

Pedagogy

Peer Review

Learning outcome

Prep time

Intermediate (10-30 min)

Activity type

Learning Activity

Why this learning activity?

Learning activities targeting high-order skills like this one can help you activate students more effectively. This learning activity will help you with:

Critical Analysis

Students will identify and diagnose visual design issues in peer-created data visualisation reports, applying key frameworks and principles from their coursework to evaluate encoding choices, visual hierarchy, and chart selection.

Button Text

Evidence-Based Feedback

Students will provide structured, constructive critiques grounded in data visualisation theory, moving beyond subjective opinion to deliver specific and actionable suggestions for improvement.

Button Text

Evaluative Judgement

Students will assess the usefulness of the feedback they receive, developing their ability to critically engage with peer feedback and distinguish between high and low quality contributions.

Button Text

Activity setup

Activity steps Activity goals Tools used In this activity

Peer review of data visualisation report designs

Start using this template

Download template

Use template

Activity steps

Read instructions: Students carefully review the instructions and learning outcomes of the activity before getting started.
Submission: As a group, students submit their data visualisation report page as a JPEG file for peer review.
Peer review: Students are assigned another group's report and meet as a group to discuss and write a structured critique covering visual diagnostics, design principles, chart choice, and suggestions for improvement.
Received reviews and feedback-on-feedback: Students read the feedback they received and rate each comment on a usefulness scale of 1 to 10, with the option to add written clarification.
Grading: Grades are based on the quality and completeness of the peer review submitted.

‍

Learning Activities Used

Peer Review

Stimulate lifelong learning with peer feedback

In this activity

This activity is part of a structured learning journey designed to scaffold group project work, acting as a strategic checkpoint that encourages groups to start their projects early and engage meaningfully with course material ahead of the final submission. You can find the other activities here, here and here.
The activity centres on peer review of data visualisation report pages submitted as JPEG files, guiding student groups to critically evaluate visual design choices, data encoding, and adherence to key frameworks covered in their coursework.
Rather than reviewing abstract examples, students evaluate the actual work of their peers, making the feedback process contextually relevant and grounded in shared course content.
A structured critique format is provided, covering four dimensions: visual diagnostics, design principles, chart choice, and suggestions for improvement, ensuring feedback is specific and evidence-based rather than purely subjective.
A feedback-on-feedback step is included, where students rate the usefulness of the comments they receive, shifting them from passive recipients to active evaluators of feedback quality.

‍