From computational to explorable notebooks: next steps in spatial data science communication and education.
Topics: Geographic Information Science and Systems
, Spatial Analysis & Modeling
, Education
Keywords: spatial data science, computational notebooks, open-source software
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Monday
Session Start / End Time: 2/28/2022 08:00 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/28/2022 09:20 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 34
Authors:
Ate Poorthuis, KU Leuven
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Abstract
Open science and open-source software have become increasingly common in geographic research. The computational notebook has played an important role in this change. Such notebooks can bring together an entire eco-system of analytical tools in a single document that combines code, the output of that code, as well as narrative and interpretation. These notebooks can be shared easily and allow others to read, reproduce and extend the work.
However, especially for non-experts, a computational notebook can still be a static affair. Pre-existing notebooks can be read with ease, but ‘tinkering’ – changing values and assumptions – is only accessible with the necessary programming and domain knowledge. In other words, computational notebooks are no guarantee that our work has broad impact, and for communicating and educating about spatial data science better alternatives might exist.
In this context, Bret Victor and others have used the term 'Explorable Explanations' to call for the creation of more active reading environments through interactive, reactive documents. Building on this idea, I present ‘Marie’, an authoring framework for the creation of interactive, graphical web content. Marie extends the idea of the computational notebook to an explorable notebook, giving both author and reader the ability to create interactive behaviour, simulations, and the dynamic (re-)evaluation of code based on a reader’s input. As such, notebooks can become an ‘environment to think in’ for both author and reader. I illustrate the use and value of explorable notebooks with several worked examples drawing from both educational curricula and academic publications.
From computational to explorable notebooks: next steps in spatial data science communication and education.
Category
Virtual Paper Abstract
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