User preferences for indicating uncertainty using specific visual
variables have been explored outside of educational reporting. Exploring stu-
dents’ preferred method to indicate uncertainty in open learner models can
provide hints about which approaches students will use, so further design
approaches can be considered. Participants were 67 students exploring 6 visual
variables applied to a learner model visualisation (skill meter). Student prefer-
ences were ordered along a scale, which showed the size, numerosity, orienta-
tion and added marks visual variables were near one another in the learner’s
preference space. Results of statistical analyses revealed differences in student
preferences for some variables with opacity being the most preferred and
arrangement the least preferred. This result provides initial guidelines for open
learner model and learning dashboard designers to represent uncertainty infor-
mation using students’ preferred method of visualisation.