The World of Infographics!
We live in an ever-evolving world of technology. Information is literally at our fingertips. We are constantly being “overloaded” with new information. Infographics is a tool that is changing the way we present this information. It is a quick and easy way to present information using eye-catching graphics. Let’s review a few I thought was worth a look at.
Easel.ly: For someone with little artistic ability, Easel.ly created a platform for me that was simple and quick to navigate. Easel.ly provides both a free and paid version of its program. The free version has its limitations, but, with the variety of free images, font sizes and other features, you should be able to create a product that you can be proud of. You can choose to use templates or backgrounds already formulated or a blank slate. Because one of learning modalities is visual-the You Tube tutorial was very helpful. It prepared me with instructions on how to insert objects (listed by category), how to change colors/shapes and even upload pictures. Try the free version. If you like it, its super cheap ($3 per month) for the year upgrade.
Infogr.am: The first thing I noticed was how clean and simple the interface is. Its transitions from one slide to the next is smooth and seamless. It is user-friendly, interactive, visually appealing and little to no learning curve. The free version is extremely limiting. Overall, it is a good option to display your spreadsheet data effectively in a business setting.
Piktochart: Includes a start-up video that provides step-by-step instructions on how to use. There is a very limited selection of templates. Once you choose a template, you can change, add to, and upload text and pictures. I recommend that you play around with it before implementing in the classroom. It does have a bit of a learning curve to be comfortable. I also recommend getting the paid version if you want the full effect of the product.
Ease.ly, Infogr.am and Piktochart are great tools to use to present information in a visual format. They all have pros and cons, you have to choose which one best fit your needs. This is a good start to exploring the world of infographics as a resource to enhance instruction for teachers and as a visual learning aid for student.
Easel.ly: For someone with little artistic ability, Easel.ly created a platform for me that was simple and quick to navigate. Easel.ly provides both a free and paid version of its program. The free version has its limitations, but, with the variety of free images, font sizes and other features, you should be able to create a product that you can be proud of. You can choose to use templates or backgrounds already formulated or a blank slate. Because one of learning modalities is visual-the You Tube tutorial was very helpful. It prepared me with instructions on how to insert objects (listed by category), how to change colors/shapes and even upload pictures. Try the free version. If you like it, its super cheap ($3 per month) for the year upgrade.
Infogr.am: The first thing I noticed was how clean and simple the interface is. Its transitions from one slide to the next is smooth and seamless. It is user-friendly, interactive, visually appealing and little to no learning curve. The free version is extremely limiting. Overall, it is a good option to display your spreadsheet data effectively in a business setting.
Piktochart: Includes a start-up video that provides step-by-step instructions on how to use. There is a very limited selection of templates. Once you choose a template, you can change, add to, and upload text and pictures. I recommend that you play around with it before implementing in the classroom. It does have a bit of a learning curve to be comfortable. I also recommend getting the paid version if you want the full effect of the product.
Ease.ly, Infogr.am and Piktochart are great tools to use to present information in a visual format. They all have pros and cons, you have to choose which one best fit your needs. This is a good start to exploring the world of infographics as a resource to enhance instruction for teachers and as a visual learning aid for student.
References
Battelle, J. (2018, February 6). The techlash gains momentum. Retrieved from
https://shift.newco.co/the-techlash-gains-momentum-8e7cfaf23b51
Rosen, L. D. (Spring 2017). The heavy toll of “always on” technology. Retrieved from https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/the-heavy-toll-of-always-on-technology/
Webber, J. E. (2018, January 12). Digital dystopia: tech slavery and the death of privacy-podcast. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/technology/audio/2018/jan/12/digital-dystopia-end-of-privacy-tech-podcast
Thornhill, J. (2018, March 23). Halting the slide towards a digital dystopia. Retrieved from https://www.ft.com/content/21a7044a-2dcc-11e8-9b4b-bc4b9f08f381
Stephens, R. (2015, December 16). How adolescents cope with digital stress. Retrieved from https://journalistsresource.org/studies/society/internet/adolescents-cope-digital-stress
Pew Research Center. (2018, April 17). The future of well-being in a tech-saturated world. Retrieved from http://www.pewinternet.org/2018/04/17/the-future-of-well-being-in-a-tech-saturated-world/
Image Created with Easel.ly
You had some really good information about all three of the infographic sites. You did a nice job of addressing the pros and cons of each. Your infographic was a perfect example of how infographics can relay information in a format that is easy to understand and fun to look at as well!
ReplyDeletelibrarylady2016
https://techsavvylibrary.wordpress.com
Hello,
ReplyDeleteInforgraphics are very eye catching. I think thats why they are so great because when you use something so eye catching it keeps are students, teachers, and community more interested.