Publications

Learning to construct and make sense of time-series graphs is a key practice in middle school science. We describe a new, free educational tool called “Sonify” that enables students to extend their use of the Common Online Data Analysis Platform (CODAP) so that they can listen to graphs of scientific phenomena that change over time while they simultaneously examine these graphs visually. We report on how listening to graphs helps students attend to key elements, including slope, and how listening might help differentiate instruction. Sonify has special appeal to students who value learning through listening, while at the same time reinforcing understanding of time-series graphs for all students, perhaps especially so for English language learners who may find it easier to relate to the sound of a graph than textual descriptions of it. We describe how students use this new tool and the explanations they give for its appeal.

Suggested Citation:
Sagrans, J., Mokros, J., Damelin, D., & Noyce, P. (2026). Adding sound to graphs of data that change over time: A promising tool. Science Scope, 49(1), 51-55. https://doi.org/10.1080/08872376.2025.2601359