Infographics     

Although FETC was a month ago, I still haven't fully processed that great conference. More than the tools and the new technologies, I heard an over arching theme for needing to play more and to be more creative. So many of the current sessions, poster sessions and keynotes reiterated the same story to add creativity to our lessons, units, presentations and most of all student work. One of the most popular sessions that I was only able to attend for 10 minutes was on Infographics. I'm fascinated by them and hope to create some of my own someday because I think they are a perfect example of taking a complex topic and making it understandable through creativity. This "tuesdays" is a way to help you and me become more familiar with the art of infographics.

One of the greatest resource gifts I received at FETC 2014 was Ms. Doty's and Ms. Henderson's Infographics in the Classroom toolkit. Infographics have gained great popularity because of their visual appeal. Students can use infographics to process and present information while finding ways to express their understanding in a concise and simple way. If they do not know their information, they will find it difficult to express themselves through an infographic. It's a great way to inspire them to go deeper in their learning so they can explain it to others in a much more appealing manner than normal. Ms. Doty is convinced that it is easier than it looks, but to date, I have not made one and cannot attest to the fact. In her toolkit, she has gathered other great resources from Kathy Shrock and even a LiveBinder by one of the attendees to her session. Infographics are simply visual representation of information, data or knowledge. Isn't that what we are trying to do with students everyday?

Ok now I'm inspired to really make an infographic. Are you? Do you see the classroom potential? Let me encourage you to send me samples of your infographics if you have made some because sharing is the greatest compliment. People who share know how great it feels when someone replicates your idea with a twist that is suitable for their own classrooms. Is there any willing to take the challenge to create an infographic for sharing in the next month? I would love some one to hold me accountable so I really get it done. It's looks like such a great way to get a point across or to relay any type of information to an audience. Who's game?

According to Ms. Doty and Ms. Henderson, they have supplied everything we need to begin our first infographics on their Infographic Kit. Carol Anne recently posted some of her amazing infographics she does for her sermon notes. She recommends two apps: Procreate and FlipInk for the iPad. From your computer, Doty and Henderson recommend Visual.ly which has provided some video instructions to get started. They also have suggested Easel.ly, Infogr.am and Piktochart. All of the sites given you a limited amount of infographics before you are hooked and then need to pay, but the apps seems to be a better classroom solution even though they are not all free. Thank you Ms. Doty, Ms. Henderson, Kathy Schrock and Carol Ann McGuire for inspiring us.

"If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough."

From 15 Inspiring Design Quotes

ipadio   

LiveBinders 

Doceri 

NASA's Image Gallery 

Popplet 

Zoey's Room
Finance in the Classroom
Fotopedia 

The Common Good Forecaster  

Google Earth 

UJAM 

Symbaloo.edu 

Google Science Fair 

Stossel in the Classroom
Word Sift 

Lee Kolbert