PBL
Tableau Project
AI and Data Visualization for Social Impact
Create compelling Tableau dashboards to uncover insights on AI, justice, and society—no coding required, just data-driven storytelling.
Project
Tableau Project
Location
Online
Duration
8 Weeks
Upcoming Sessions
Jan. 19 - Mar. 15, 2026
Outcomes
Visualize links between AI, wages, and job growth
Assess algorithmic fairness using the COMPAS dataset
Compare risk score disparities by race and gender
Design interactive dashboards with real-world datasets
Communicate data-driven stories for social impact
You Will Get
Industry Guidance
Work directly with our project leads—experts and top researchers—who bring their real-world insights and expertise straight to your learning experience.
Research Experience
Collaborate with teammates and the project lead in a multi-week project to pursue novel questions in your research field.
Peer Networks
Engage with our PBL participants from all over the world. Collaborate with new peers and learn about their own research endeavours.
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A Strong Portfolio
Put your best foot forward in the PBL with a standout project and receive a PBL Evaluation Report that can be used as a recommendation letter for employers and grad schools.
Expert Guidance
Get personalized feedback to grow your research and innovation skills.
Deliverables
Real projects, lasting connections, and new opportunities beyond your program.
Project Deliverables
The final presentation of your 8 weeks could be a poster, written report, or a slide deck, all of which can be expanded on.
Research Extension
Utilize up to 5 additional meeting times with the project lead after the project’s conclusion to build your work out for publication or conference presentation.
Industry Network
Meet peers in your projects and participate in a global talent community both online and in-person.
Industry Application
Tableau, a global leader in data visualization, is widely used across industries for transforming complex datasets into clear, actionable insights. This PBL mirrors how professionals in business, tech, healthcare, and policy use Tableau to explore patterns, communicate trends, and drive decisions. The curriculum trains students in real-world Tableau use cases—ranging from AI adoption analysis to algorithmic fairness—preparing them for roles where visual analytics is critical.
Popular Industry Positions
Data Analyst
Leverage Tableau to extract and communicate insights from large datasets.
Business Intelligence Developer
Build dashboards that guide strategic and operational decisions.
Policy & Ethics Researcher
Visualize and analyze equity issues in technology systems.
Tracks
Track 1
Understanding Failures in Voice Assistants
Students will explore real-world failures in voice assistants and build dashboards to highlight usability, bias, and design flaws.
Learn Tableau fundamentals and build visual dashboards
Categorize system failures (e.g., input vs. response errors)
Analyze user frustration and adaptation behaviors
Explore equity and bias (e.g., accent or demographic differences)
Communicate insights through interactive storytelling visuals
Track 2
Mapping AI Adoption in the U.S. Economy
Students will visualize job-level AI usage using the Anthropic Economic Index to explore how AI is transforming work.
Investigate real job tasks impacted by AI across sectors
Visualize augmentation vs. automation effects
Correlate AI use with wages, growth, and education levels
Identify at-risk roles and future-proof skills
Build dashboards to communicate labor trends and insights
Track 3
Visualizing Algorithmic Fairness in Justice
Students will use the COMPAS dataset to uncover fairness issues in criminal justice risk scores using visualization techniques.
Analyze disparities in score outcomes across race and gender
Visualize false positives and false negatives
Investigate calibration gaps in predictive models
Design dashboards to surface fairness and transparency issues
Track 4
Creative Interactive Dashboard Project
Students will select their own dataset and create a customized dashboard to explore a meaningful social or personal theme.
Practice end-to-end data storytelling with Tableau
Choose and clean a dataset with social relevance
Integrate multiple datasets for deeper insight
Apply advanced layout and filtering techniques
Present a polished, interactive dashboard to stakeholders
PBL Journey
Online PBL Projects meet once a week for 8 weeks, and follow the research project format. Participants will meet the project lead, learn the conventions of the field and familiarize themselves with the tracks, then spend the middle portion of their time collaborating to develop their research.
At the end, participants will present their final project and receive feedback, with the opportunity to extend their timeline and develop the project in greater depth.
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Project Team
Our Academic Team plays a vital role in your PBL journey at Blended Learning. We are dedicated to enhancing your learning experience and ensuring your academic success. Our team consists of three distinct roles, each with a specific focus to support your Research Guidance, Project Progress, and Personal Growth.
Project Lead
Providing Industry and Research Guidance
Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Boston College and Researcher in Computer Science at MIT
The project lead of this PBL is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Boston College, leading the Data Within Reach Group. His research focuses on making data more accessible to diverse audiences by promoting best data visualization practices and exploring innovative ways for people to interact with data. He is also working on research projects at MIT's Computer Science department. He has received prestigious awards from ACM CHI, ACM UIST, and the Kantar Information is Beautiful Awards for his work. He earned his Ph.D. from Harvard University with support from Sibel Scholars and the Kwanjeong Educational Foundation before joining Boston College.
Academic Advisor
Tracking Your Project Development
The Academic Advisor is dedicated to your project completion success. They manage the progress of your PBL, guiding team formation, facilitating group discussions, and resolving conflicts. Additionally, the Academic Advisor ensures team member contributions are on track and provides logistical support, including attendance tracking, hosting recitation sessions, managing research support requests, and conducting student evaluations at the end of the PBL.
From Our Students
"After a night spent debugging, I suddenly discovered the program running perfectly. In that triumphant moment, you realize your true capability and success. The exhaustion fades, replaced by the thrill of knowing your skills and persistence led to this achievement, reaffirming your potential."
Nicole Y.
National University of Singapore
B.S. Economics
FAQs
What is the learning format of a PBL?
All PBLs are offered in an 8-week online format that begins with an orientation followed by subject setup overview of the different tracks. The majority of the session time is dedicated to project development, with a final presentation at the culmination of the 8 weeks. Many PBLs are also offered bi-annually in an on-campus format that consists of daily in-person meetings.
How long does each PBL cohort last？
One round of the Online PBL cohort lasts 8 weeks, preceded bys a pre-PBL orientation week. Each On-Campus PBL usually has 8 in person meetings, with intensive classroom education and collaboration. This means the biggest difference between online and on-campus PBLs is time participants have in between meetings.
How can I be more academically prepared before the PBL starts?
Review the Blended Learning Insights sent by the Academic Advisor and familiarize yourself with the project topic and pre-learning materials. Ensure you have all necessary softwares and other resources needed for the PBL.
For each PBL cohort, will I work in teams? Are PBL team members self-selected or assigned?
Yes, you will work in teams for each round of the PBL Cohort. Each team has 3 to 6 participants, organized by the Academic Team. The Academic Advisor will organize groupings based on students' backgrounds, preferred track, and skills.
Can I work with the Project Lead on my project after the PBL ends?
Yes, with your AI + X Research Plan, you may request up to five PBL Research Extension meetings, where you work with the project lead to develop your project into a working manuscript. To schedule a PBL Research Extension meeting, talk to your Academic Advisor at the conclusion of your PBL.
What do I receive at the end of the PBL?
At the conclusion of the PBL cohort, you can request a PBL Evaluation Report which summarizes the PBL content, the hours you spent, the track you chose, and includes a recommendation letter from the Project Lead (for eligible participants who completed the project successfully).
Is attendance mandatory for PBL Live Sessions and Recitation Sessions?
Yes, attendance is mandatory for both PBL Live Sessions and Recitation Sessions. Participants with three or more unexcused absences forfeit their eligibility for a PBL Evaluation Report.
Do I need to have my camera on during online PBL Live Sessions?
Yes, you must have your camera on during online PBL Live Sessions. Participants with cameras off will be marked as absent. This is meant to encourage active engagement and participation in meetings.
