Are you familiar with infographics? An infographic is a visual representation of data, knowledge, and information. They are intended to provide the viewer a complex thought or idea in a quick and concise manner. Infographics generally include images, charts, timelines, text and numbers. The text is generally in the form of a metaphor to help get the point across to the viewer. In the past, they have been commonly used by businesses, scientists, engineers or anyone that wanted to present a "heavy" concept clearly. However, now with free, easy to use, online tools, anyone can make them. The above infographic was created by a student for a project in health. If you need more examples of student created infographics for inspiration, check out this teachers blog and gallery of student created infographics.?
OK, so how can we use infographics in the classroom? Chris Clark, writer of the NspireD blog, states that, "It’s not hard to see the potential value of infographics in teaching and learning. Visually appealing designs can draw learners in quickly, and a well-conceived metaphor can turn an intellectual chore into a game-like experience. Memorable infographics can also provide visual learners a solid mental framework within which to store new ideas. What’s not to like?" I also see them being a great tool for students to use to present their understanding of a specific topic.
Below are examples of how infographics can be used in the elementary classroom from the Inside the Classroom, Outside the Box" blog. Any of these examples could easily be adapted to secondary classrooms:
- Science: If a student is studying the Great Garbage Patch during their ecosystem unit they can inform the class about it through an info graphic. For example how much trash there is and how many animals it has hurt.
- Math: Students can do any topic they want because infographics are all about math data and graphs.
- Literacy: Students can compare and contrast any two books. The students can also chose a hot topic they are writing about, For example, if schools should be year round or if schools should have uniforms or not.
- Social Studies: Students can create an infographic on any time period such as the Civil War by making a timeline infographic.
- P.E.: Students can make an infographic on nutrition or benefits of exercise and how it correlates with grades.
Infographics are also a great way for students to use the 4c's - superskills for 21st Century Learning:- Collaboration: If students are working together on making these infographics they are collaborating ideas.
- Critical Thinking: Students are critical thinking about what information should go in the infographic and why.
- Communication: Students are communicating with each other and also communicating information.
- Creativity: Students are designing an inforgraphic product using the best information to present their knowledge in a clear and concise manner.
Interested? Here a few different online sites you could use:
Piktochart: Transforms your information into memorable presentations
Infogr.am: Create interactive Infographics
easel.ly: Create and share visual ideas online
Many Eyes: Lets you upload data and visualize information
...and you must check out all the resources on Kathy Shrocks Guide to Everything: Infographics page!!
Tips:
- Keep it simple and pleasing to the eye.
- Decide on a color scheme
- Reference your facts in the infographic (Sources)
- Look at others to gain ideas how you want yours set up.
- Make them interactive by adding QR codes linked to videos
