Tech Tip Tuesday: Infographics - So What's Your Story?

When given the choice between a bar graph and an infographic, which one catches your eye first?

       

Both show the same information, the same data points. But for many, the infographic on the left is far more appealing because of the visual elements and the graphic representation of the numbers. It visually tells the story of the stories that have been most read.

What are Infographics?
An infographic (information graphic) is a visual/graphic representation of information designed to make data easily understandable at a glance. Infographics allow readers to quickly understand and visualize large amounts of data and allow writers to visually represent data and make the creative decisions needed to best communicate their ideas and information.

To get a better sense of how infographics work and how to create them, here are some infographics...about infographics.

11 Infographics About Infographics

Why Infographics?

"The eye is exquisitely sensitive to patterns in variations in color, shape and pattern. It loves them, and it calls them beautiful. It's the language of the eye. If you combine the language of the eye with the language of the mind, which is about words and numbers and concepts, you start speaking two languages simultaneously, each enhancing the other. So, you have the eye, and then you drop in the concepts. And that whole thing -- it's two languages both working at the same time."

Uses in the Classroom:
Infographics are a great way to share information with students, or have students visually show their understanding. An infographic can be a great hook, a way to help activate background knowledge,and give students an alternative way to access information. Having students read, find, compare, and create infographics allows them to enter the roles of producers, consumers, and curators of data and information. The primary ways to use infographics in the classroom are:

• interpreting infographics: learning how to view and understand the data presented
• critiquing infographics: evaluating the infographic in terms of data as well as design and graphics 
• creating infographics: using design and images to give context to and visually represent data 

Creating Infographics:
There are many online tools that can help students create a digital infographic, but don’t underestimate the power of good old paper and pencil! Some things to keep in mind when you or your students are creating infographics:

Check out the full infographic HERE! I used VENNGAGE to create it in no time. And, it was free!

At the end of the day, the most important thing to keep in mind when using infographics in the classroom is that it's truly about the information and the story you or your students are able to tell with the data you have. So, what's the story you're going to tell?

Other Resources:
Infographics as Creative Assessment from Kathy Schrock
Share your favorite infographics or websites with us below!

Tuesday Tech Tip: Geeking Out with Google Slides

Yes You Canva!

The days of lugging a laundry basket full of posters home in your trunk and then back to the classroom are on their way out. Most agree that having students synthesize their learning into a creative collage is an important skill, but cutting and pasting (like, the REAL cutting and pasting with scissors and glue-throwback!) on paper is no longer the only way for this to happen. There are several online options that allow students to create digital posters/flyers and build their technology skill set, no glue sticks required!

Introducing: Canva! Canva is a tool that utilizes a simple drag-and-drop interface with pre-created templates and layouts that teachers and students can use to create digital posters/flyers/documents with text, images, icons, backgrounds, and illustrations all built-in ready to go. Other pictures can also be uploaded and used in Canva, but they have several free resources already available for use. 

Check out the video below that will teach you how to use Canva in a mere 23 seconds!

Below is an example of an image created using Canva. It utilizes the layout feature, icons, colors, text and fonts to create a simple image that can be modified, downloaded, and embedded almost anywhere! Images and/or projects can be easily shared either by downloading or sharing them directly. There are already several pre-created images that can be used as is or modified to fit your needs, or if you can’t find what you’re looking for you can start from scratch and build the image that best fits your needs.  

Also, there are several tutorials and some very creative lesson plans in Canva for teachers who want to use this in their classroom already created. How cool is that?! Are you inspired? Ready to get started? Check them out here!

Happy creating!

Tuesday Tech Tip: The 4Cs...Creativity

Creativity

Just what is creativity? Certainly you have looked at a piece of art or a project and thought to yourself hey, that's creative. Perhaps you have labeled certain people as creative too. Think for a moment, what is it that causes you to think that? How do you define creativity? Do you just know it when you see it? 

Merriam-Webster says:

Simple Definition of creativity

• : the ability to make new things or think of new ideas

Creativity has also been described as turning new and imaginative ideas into reality. Creativity requires two parts: thinking and producing. 

The blog posts for the month of April will be dedicated to another of the 4Cs...Creativity.  

 

From the Partnership for 21st Century Learning we know that educators aim to include creativity in learning, but often times it is the component we abandon first. The P21 site offers a brief from experts in the field sharing examples and ideas for including research based practices in your classrooms. Click here to peruse those documents.

From A Noted Creativity Expert: Sir Ken Robinson

Let's look at creativity from another perspective. Creativity expert Sir Ken Robinson delivered a compelling TED Talk in 2006 on the topic. In it, he challenges us to think about how present systems are stifling the creative spirit.  View the talk below. What does it make you think about?  What are the implications of his message for our educational system.

One of the questions he has pondered more recently is "Can Creativity Be Taught?" Watch the talk below to see what he has to say.

Some additional thoughts on creativity can be found in this blog.  He reminds us that creativity is found in great teaching across a wide spectrum of disciplines.

What does this all mean?  

Brené Brown, noted researcher and storyteller says, "Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change." She shares this through a different angle on the notion of creativity. Her 2010 TED Talk,  The Power of Vulnerability, is one of the top five most viewed TED talks in the world. Take a look at what she has to say.

So, when is the last time you nurtured your creative side? What have you planned in the name of creativity for your students?  What's stopping you? How do you create space for it in your life and weave that into your school world? 

Technology integration and innovation can be a fabulous place to add in some more creative outlets into your classroom. Do you and your students have an appetite for discovery? I bet you do. Go out there...dig deep, work hard...be CREATIVE!  

Cherry Creek Bright Spot- Make History Come Alive Using Google Maps

As a district Technology and Learning Coach, teachers often ask me what great tool they should be using.  While there are tons of great technology tools out there that I can share, I always ask teachers to tell me what they want their students to learn, and then, if appropriate, we can find a tool to enhance the learning around that objective or goal.  

Taylor Whitley, a 5th grade teacher at Indian Ridge Elementary, uses a lot of technology in her class, but she always makes it a point to focus on the learning before the tool.  

I chose her class for a Bright Spot because she found a way to use Interactive Google Maps to help her students learn about explorers in a creative and collaborative way. Check out the Bright Spot video below to hear from Ms. Whitley and some of her students...

For more information on using Google Maps in your class to enhance learning, go to https://www.google.com/help/maps/education/, where you'll find ideas from Google. 

If you would like to learn more about integrating math with technology at your school, please contact your Technology and Learning Coaches by filling out our form. 

If you or a teacher you know are using technology in an innovative way to transform learning, and you want to be highlighted in a Cherry Creek Bright Spot, please email Kris Edwards at kedwards25@cherrycreekschools.org.