Tangible interfaces for data literacy: A systematic mapping study

As society becomes increasingly data-driven, there is a growing need for tools that foster Data Literacy (DL). Tangible User Interfaces (TUIs), which combine physical interaction with digital data, show promise but remain underexplored in this context. This study aims to synthesize the trends in the use of TUIs to promote DL, focusing on identifying the types of TUIs employed, the target audiences addressed, and the specific DL competencies these interfaces are designed to support. In accordance with the PRISMA, we systematically mapped 57 studies from the literature. Of these, 24 were identified from an initial pool of 1444 records retrieved through automated searches on Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Scopus, while the remaining 33 were obtained through a snowballing approach. Publish or Perish was used to extract data from Google Scholar. The results highlight the potential versatility of TUIs, as all TUI types have been explored across various audience categories and DL competence fields. Moreover, our study highlights both well-established and underexplored pathways for TUI-based DL initiatives, providing valuable insights for future research and the development of new applications and educational methods. Finally, the other specific findings include the identification of prominent TUIs in the DL domain, namely Physicalization and Data Sculptures, Physical Manipulative Objects, and Interactive Surfaces . These TUIs predominantly target Adult and Continuing Education, Tertiary Education, and K-12 Education, addressing both coding and decoding competencies within DL. • TUIs demonstrate versatility in terms of techniques, audience, and DL competence. • The map developed guides DL's pedagogical design and highlights opportunities for innovation. • Current TUI trends highlight Crafted Materials and Tablets, mainly addressing lifelong, bachelor's, and primary learners. • Gaps include early childhood, post-secondary, short-cycle, and postgraduate audiences, and data culture and action skills. • TUIs such as Constructive Assembly, Tabletop, Large Screens, and Smartphones remain underexplored.