Analyzing unexpected success of a data visualization video series

Abstract

Abstract:

About a year ago, the library created a series of 17 YouTube videos on data visualization. These presented practical skills on making graphs and diagrams in Google’s Sheets and Slides, and Microsoft’s Excel and PowerPoint. They were made to support a Canvas module on data literacy, aimed at STEM students, but open to any student as a virtual workshop, and for faculty to incorporate in their courses. The Canvas module and the YouTube videos were advertised to faculty through email newsletters. Oftentimes asynchronous content like this is created and marketed, but still underutilized. The module has received little use; however, the YouTube video views were very high. The gap between the views and module use, made it clear that the YouTube views were coming from elsewhere, and were indeed more accessible than the Canvas module. This analysis explores which videos in the series were most popular, and delves into YouTube analytics to help determine who was using them and how they discovered them. The results will be used to formulate ideas for other asynchronous data literacy content that could hopefully be just as successful. The session will include not just the findings of this analysis, but also tips for conducting your own analysis using YouTube’s analytic tools.

Outcomes:

Early career professionals will come away with an understanding of some philosophical principles to guide instructional material design and platform choices. Advanced professionals will come away with advice on getting started with YouTube analytics in order to assess the users and access points of their own instructional materials on YouTube.