Infographics

toc From Feb., 2012 Cyber Sandbox Workshop media type="custom" key="22451844" width="80" height="80"

Definition
A different kind of presentation. A visual display of information that helps communicate complex ideas in a clear, compact and aesthetic way. Used by journalists, computer scientists, mathematicians, educators, and others who need to communicate concepts clearly. Infographics is a higher order thinking activity that translates deep meaning of information into a picture representation. 1. It's a visual explanation that helps you more easily understand, find or do something. 2. It's visual, and when necessary, integrates words and pictures in a fluid, dynamic way. 3. It stands alone and is completely self-explanatory. 4. It reveals information that was formerly hidden or submerged. 5. It makes possible faster, more consistent understanding. 6. It's universally understandable.

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Infographics can feature **pictures, charts, diagrams, graphs, tables, maps, lists, time lines, flowcharts, and more**. While a picture may be worth a thousand words, infographics usually include text. They often incorporate a metaphor (symbol) to help make their point.

[|The New Way Things Work], as well as [|USA Today’s snapshot graphics], and the [|Weather Channel’s maps].
 * Well-Known Infographics:**

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 * An Infographic World:**

Beauty of Data Visualization
media type="custom" key="19149654" TED - David McCandless

21st Century Literacies & Standards
Today's students need to be able to read and interpret visual representations of information
 * [|Information Literacy Standards] - SCCC
 * Technology Literacy Standards (ISTE)
 * [|Visual Literacy]
 * Common Core Standards
 * Research, integrate, evaluate, comprehend, critique, analyze, summarize, communicate, address a question, solve a problem, gather information from print and digital sources, assess the credibility and accuracy of sources, build and express persuasively, express information and enhance understanding.
 * Many instructional verbs from the CCSS and student literacy skills would be embraced by a research project ending in an infographic

Educational Appeal

 * Visually appealing designs draw learners in quickly.
 * Well-conceptualized metaphor can turn an intellectual chore into a game-like experience.
 * Sum up pages/chapters of information that would take readers hours to process; useful for giving a lot of data to students in a way that doesn’t make them feel overwhelmed
 * Charts, graphs and maps on standardized tests
 * Whiteboard technology makes graphic depiction of information more useful and ubiquitous
 * Memorable infographics can provide visual learners a solid mental framework -causes new ideas to stick
 * Helps to break down concepts and see some clear visual depictions of what the data means and what they imply
 * Interactive infograhics - great tool for inquiry-driven instruction
 * Infographics can be used as __assessment__ - ask students to break down complex information, then use image, symbol and text to communicate it attractively and effectively

- Using Infographics with students Using Infographics in History and Social Studies Physical Education Infographics

Infographics Examples
Infographics by Subject [|Resume Timeline] -([]) [|What is a stock?] School Bullying Best Sources for Interactive Infographics Cool Infographics Flickr Infographics 40 Useful and Creative Infographics Cool Infographics Gallery (Pinterest)

Creating Infographics

 * (Using Infographics as assessment)**
 * Keep it simple - it's all about quickly conveying the meaning behind complex data
 * Decide on a colour scheme; plan (draw sketch)
 * Research facts and statistics - Think visual essay, be sure your argument holds
 * Draw conclusions
 * Cite your sources
 * Use free online tools

[|Periodic Table of Data Visualizations] - Ways to present data visually 10 Tips for Designing Infographics - Randy Krum [|Anatomy of an Infographic] - 5 Steps to create a powerful visual [|Infographic: Can I use this image?]

Creation Ideas

 * Create an infographic depicting the impact of a man-made disaster.
 * Create an infographic on the Civil War.
 * Create an infographic on the benefits of solar power.
 * Extrapolate data from the NFL website and depict five ratios you found.
 * Convince me, via an Infographic, to watch what I eat.
 * Defend your position on ___ via an Infographic.

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Free Online Tools
13 of the Best Tools to Create Infographics [|Piktochart] - helps to transform data into beautiful and memorable graphical presentations [|Easel.ly] - create and share visual ideas online [|Infogr.am] - create infographics and online charts [|Visualize] - iPad app to create professional-looking infographics Wordle - to create word clouds Visual.ly - Explore and create data visualizations Creately - online diagramming and collaboration Google Public Data - take public data and transform it into an infographic Many Eyes - Upload your own data or use data from their site to create data visualizations Chart Chooser - Find and choose Excel and Powerpoint template charts ChartGo - Create graphs online quickly; plug in your data and hit create Glogster Flickr's Creative Commons Search Sumo Paint - online image editor Pixlr - Online photo editor Sketchpad Paint - Found on all PC

More Info
Infographics for Librarians, Educators and Other Cool Geeks - LiveBinder with tons of resources Teaching with Infographics - NY Times Blog [|Infographics] - From ASIDE Blog (Innovation Design in Education)