Since the last Indiana University visualization project in 2015 much has changed. I'm no longer hosting conferences, due to lack of funds. Several new and powerful network analysis tools have emerged, such as Kumu.io and NodeXL. In this article I describe my vision for network analysis.
I'd like to propose having a IVMOOC team build an open source template that anyone could use to collect data about who is participating in their events, and easily create network analysis maps that show this information. The 1994-2014 conference participation data used by the 2015 IVMOOC team could be used in building the template.
The template should be designed to collect information shown on this "talent needed" and "network needed" concept maps. Thus SNA maps could show the range of talents and networks gathered for an event, and show how this grows as the event repeats.
The template should also ask for LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, Twitter information, so maps could show who is potentially connected on any of these platforms, and who might be connected on multiple platforms.
The IVMOOC team could use the information on my excell spreadsheets to try to find some of these people on LinkedIn. That might take a lot of time, but it could show how people who attended conferences between 1994 and 2015 are still connected to me, and to each other.
The links in my blog articles point to many examples that team members couild draw from.
Using the maps created leaders should be able to determine if the needed range of talent is participating in their events, as well as the needed networks of influence. A "who's here" and "who's missing" discussion should be built into the template to lead planners through this process.
While the template should be open source, I would encourage the team to look for ways to monetize the template, with a small percent of revenue coming to me.
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However, this was only a demonstration of what's possible. I urge you to read the IVMOOC team final report (click here).
Then take time to study the "Open Source Network Mapping" app created by the team. (click here). Then look at the "How-To-Guide" that provides step by step information.
In the Project Overview they wrote: "NetworkMap is an event network visualization platform that helps event organizers collect participation and connection data, automatically convert it into network-ready nodes and edges, and explore insights through an analytics dashboard. Outputs can be exported to tools like Kumu.io and Gephi for deeper relationship mapping and network analysis."
Then, look at the Git Hub page for the project. click here On the home page you'll find this description. "NetworkMap - Event Network Visualization Platform. A full-stack web application for collecting, analyzing, and visualizing participant connections from events. Transform survey responses into interactive network graphs and analytics dashboards."
There is a lot of information here. I'll be writing a new article in January to focus on these reports and the Open Source Network Mapping app.
Thank you to the IVMOOC team for your work. You can connect with me (Dan Bassill) and IVMOOC team members on LinkedIn, which is where I'm finding a constant stream of new visualization projects.
I've been invited to submit a proposal for the Spring 2026 IVMOOC which I've done. I've asked the team to build on what was done in the fall. Specifically, I'm hoping a new version of the Kumu map will be created (or an update to the current one), using a cleaned up version of the Excel spreadsheet the teams used in the fall. I'm almost finished going through 20 years of conferences, mostly to create consistency among program names. It the team uses this I hope they can build a map that adds these features.
- search by organization name
- color code participants, and enable sorting by this field. So Program, Business, College, K-12 School, etc. would each appear as a different color and the map can be sorted so you only see these
- search my lists at https://tutormentorexchange.net/chicago-area-program-links and find website address for organizations who participated. Add this to the description provided for each.
- Include a section that describes what the Kumu map is showing and how people can use the site. Include links to my program lists so people can go from the map to the Tutor/Mentor website to find current information and to connect with some of these organizations on social media.
I've had two meetings using Microsoft Teams with one of the IVMOOC groups and one meeting using ZOOM with the second. I'm really impressed with the work they are doing and hope to have something to share by late December. The projects will be presented at Indiana University around December 11th.
I have been notified, as of 10/13/2025 that an IU team has selected this project. I'll look forward to seeing what they can accomplish.
I found out today that there are two teams from Indiana University working on an information visualization project. I've met with both on line and am excited to see the work they are doing. Search my Tutor/Mentor blog for "IVMOOC" and you'll find articles showing work done in 2014 and 2015. Here's one: https://tutormentor.blogspot.com/2025/08/mapping-event-participatio...
I first worked with students from this information visualization class in 2008. I wrote about it in this article. Unfortunately the project was done in Adobe Flash, so is no longer available. Here's an April 2008 letter from me that outlines the goals of that project.
There is a network weaving tools user group based in the UK. This link points to a ZOOM session held on Oct 22, 2025. It might be useful for the IVMOOC team to look at this session and what they are sharing. It might be similar to what our project is focused on.
As homework for members of the IU team I encourage members to read these articles on my blog showing my goals for mapping participation of events to understand "who's participating" and "who's missing".
Here's a toolkit by June Holley with questions for mapping and understanding a network. https://t.co/RDOyrcunYz
This could help guide the 2025 IVMOOC team in building an open source tool to gather AND map this type of information.