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So Much Information

 

"Information Overload" by DeaPeaJay is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0


Did you just come from Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest? Stop scrolling! Did you see that? WOW, that's a lot of information! Did you realize you were being bombarded with infographics?

What are infographics?
Turner and Hicks use Wikipedia's definition of infographics. They state, "infographics are graphic visual representations of information, data or knowledge intended to present complex information quickly and clearly" (Turner & Hicks, 2017, p. 60). They continue by saying that infographics are becoming more and more popular and this popularity could be because they are so easy to share and understand. This blog written by Sheikh (2020) gives you examples of infographics and information about using and creating them.  

Now what?

Learning new information is exciting to me. As a teacher, I always think about how I can implement my new learning or concept into my classroom. Infographics could really bring excitement and motivation to my students.


When I think about teaching my students, I feel that it is important to remember that everyone learns and remembers information in different ways. Bringing technology into the classroom can meet all learning styles. However, it is not enough to simply allow students to "use" technology like they normally do, we must teach them how to use digital media in strategic ways (Turner & Hicks, 2017).

ED629 Infographic by Dana Janney

Just think, if you only teach material in one way, for example a lecture, students who learn best from interacting may tune you out all together. They might do better if you give them a project to complete with peers. What’s even better is that when we teach the same concept in multiple ways, the information tends to “stick” with students. When they hear it, see it, and do it, the message will be reinforced. 


What about my students?

One way to use technology to meet all learning styles is by teaching students about infographics. According to Maamuujav, Krishnan, and Collins (2020), students are required to think more deeply about their information and design. Once students have been taught about the basics of infographics, they can create some of their own. Maamuujav, Krishnan, and Collins (2020) say that when infographics are used effectively, it can scaffold a students’ writing development. 


When I teach this to my students, I would introduce infographics with a video. This would reach my auditory and visual learners. After this, we as a class would search for and analyze different infographics. Turner and Hicks (2017) take this a step further by making sure students know where the infographic “lives” online and discuss the information this gives us. This step would help all learning styles. Lastly, students could create their own infographics. During the process, students would be encouraged to work in groups or with a peer. This will  not only create a scaffold for students who need it, but it will also allow for discussions. As Maamuujav, Krishnan, and Collins (2020) point out, infographics are a great way to help language learners develop academic proficiency, but also language development. Since I teach first grade, we would probably start by making pencil and paper infographics and then as a class create a digital infographic.



For more classroom activities using infographics, please view the video below. I hope this information motivates you to try incorporating infographics into your classroom.



5 Infographic Activities for Students by Easelly - YouTube.com


References


Easelly.(2020, October 16). 5 infographic activities for students (w/Templates). [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGFjy-Hqr7U

Joyce, D. (2007, November 9). Information overload [Photograph]. Flickr. https://www.flickr.com/photos/30815420@N00/1928521563

Maamuujav, U., Krishnan, J., & Collins, P. (2020). The utility of infographics in L2 writing classes: A practical strategy to scaffold writing development. TESOL Journal, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.1002/tesj.484


Sheikh, M. (2020). What is an infographic? (Examples, tips, and templates). Visme. https://visme.co/blog/what-is-an-infographic/


Turner, K. H., & Hicks, T. (2017). Teaching adolescents to read and write digital texts: Argument in the real world. Heinemann.


Comments

  1. Katie MaddoxJune 17, 2021 at 9:24 AM

    Dana, I love infographics! 🤓I really appreciate how you accommodate all learning styles of your students in order to successfully reach each one. I've assigned create an infographic before as an assignment to 5th graders, it was WAY over their heads. I agree with both you and our text that comparing infographics would be a great way to start (Turner and Hicks, 2017). I also focused on teaching concepts in my article, and one article I read discusses how teachers need to begin linking their pedagogical content with technology strategies, something I think that you described beautifully in this article (Smith, Kahlke, and Judd, 2020).

    References
    Smith, E. E., Kahlke, R., & Judd, T. (2020). Not just digital natives: integrating technologies in professional education contexts. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 36(3), 1-14.

    Turner, K. H., & Hicks, T. (2017). Teaching adolescents to read and write digital texts: Argument in the real world. Heinemann. Technology and Engineering Teacher 80(20), 8-12.


    ReplyDelete
  2. The Hi-Tech Teacher, Valerie MatsonJune 17, 2021 at 6:44 PM

    Hi Dana,

    I agree. Our students definitely learn in different ways and combining different modalities like in infographics can strengthen students' comprehension and help with retention of information (Smith & Robertson, 2021). It reminds me of the multisensory instruction we use in phonics instruction. Your plan on how to teach students about what infographics are and how to design their own is very strategic, and you’ve really thought about how to address different learning styles. I really like how you planned for students to work together to collaborate in the design of an infographic. You mentioned how collaborating can develop language development. Turner and Hicks (2017) support that claim and suggest that the use of infographics develop both reading and writing skills.

    Thanks for sharing!
    Valerie


    References

    Turner, K. H., & Hicks, T. (2017). Teaching adolescents to read and write digital texts: Argument
    in the real world. Heinemann.

    Smith, J. R., & Robertson, M. K. (2021). (Info)graphically inclined: A framework of infographic
    learning. Reading Teacher, 74(4), 439-449.
    http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.montevallo.edu:2048/10.1002/trtr.1966

    ReplyDelete
  3. April ManerJune 18, 2021 at 10:18 AM

    Dana,
    After reading your post, it's so funny how similar our thought process was but also how different it was. Teaching students how to create infographics to meet their learning style seems like a daunting task for my first grade mindset; however, the examples you gave actually make it sound much easier. I think the hardest part is going to be moving them away from just consuming things they see online and actually producing them. I also think having them create an infographic is a great way bridge writing and technology and to help younger students understand the importance of making intentional choices (Turner & Hicks, 2017). I actually just came across an article where the authors were researching a class that used "gamification" to teach curriculum. They concluded that many of the students were more engaged because of the visuals and the hands-on aspect of the challenges (Bajko et al., 2016). I can honestly think of SO many of my past students that would actually thrive if their curriculum were presented as a game!

    References

    Bajko, R., Hodson, J., Seaborn, K., Livingstone, P., Fels, D. (2016). Edugamifying media studies: Student engagement, enjoyment, and interest in two multimedia and social media undergraduate classrooms. Information Systems Education Journal, 14(6) pp 55-72. http://isedj.org/2016-14/ ISSN: 1545-679X.

    Turner, K. H., & Hicks, T. (2017). Teaching adolescents to read and write digital texts: Argument
    in the real world. Heinemann.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Laney Graham June 18, 2021 at 3:46 PM

    Dana,

    First, WOW, I love your infographics with movement. How eye-catching!! The infographic you created was very informative of the topic you chose about technology addressing all learning styles. Turner and Hicks (2017) state, “the infographic needs to aesthetically pleasing” (p.62). I love how you mentioned in your post about all learners in a classroom learning information in various ways. I completely agree that technology has so many outlets that help streamline learning for ALL learners! Infographics are a great way to start bridging technology into the classroom. Like you mentioned, infographics help students think more deeply about their information and the design they choose. Turner and Hicks also state, “creating infographics allows students to engage in inquiry in interesting ways” (p.74.) I truly feel if I would have had the knowledge about how easy infographics are to implement, I would have used them so many time last year teaching!

    Turner, K. H., & Hicks, T. (2017). Teaching adolescents to read and write digital texts: Argument
    in the real world. Heinemann.

    ReplyDelete

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