Infographics (information graphics) are graphic visual representations of information, data or knowledge intended to present information quickly and clearly. (Source: Wikipedia)
Studies show that people retain information more if presented visually because our brain processes it 60,000 times faster compared to reading long texts! Imagine how easy it would be to retain our lessons if our handouts are infographics! Not only would it save time, it would also save space. Look at this:
source: http://technopalooza.tylerisd.org/modules/locker/files/get_group_file.phtml?gid=3117176&fid=25914811 |
It is advantageous for a teacher to use an infographic as a teaching material. Personally, as a student, I easily get bored with discussions that are so plain and just too wordy. It's just tiring for my brain to process all the words, and I can't even remember more than 50% after the lecture. But if I see something creative and unique, I stay awake and get amazed (yes I get amazed easily, and I actually have my mouth open in amazement haha).
source: http://www.sproutgeek.com/piktochart-make-successful-infographic-ai-ching/ |
As a student, I live in a world full of different kinds of presentations. Most of the lectures in our university are PowerPoint presentations. Students, during reportings in some subjects, also use PowerPoint presentations. Some wanted theirs to be unique and so they use Prezi and others, also Powtoon, like what I said in my previous blog entry. These things are more visually appealing than PowerPoint that we are so used to seeing, and so it kind of makes even the most boring topic into an interesting one. These presentations are turned into handouts, which we then photocopy. Photocopying handouts from all my subjects really cuts down my allowance. But infographics can cut down these long pages and make it more appealing!
source: http://evscicats.com/blog/tools-unleash-creativity-piktochart/ |
There are useful websites in making infographics. In our laboratory this week, we were introduced to piktochart.com. Check it out! There you can make infographics easily and wonderfully, something nice that exceeds your expectations of what you can actually do! You can also check this out:
http://technopalooza.tylerisd.org/modules/locker/files/get_group_file.phtml?gid=3117176&fid=25914811
http://technopalooza.tylerisd.org/modules/locker/files/get_group_file.phtml?gid=3117176&fid=25914811
source: http://www.digitalartsonline.co.uk/news/graphic-design/piktochart-offers-online-interactive-infographic-creation/ |
Infographics are useful in many ways. We just need to have a creative mind and a topic to use, and stuff like Piktochart as a canvass and voila! :)