Infographics combine images and text to provide readers’ with key information about a topic. While there is no single form infographics can take, they are commonly referred to as digital posters that can be created without coding or much technical knowledge. The difference between a graphic organizer and an infographic is that a graphic organizer seeks to be a scaffold to support students in sharing their thoughts while infographics are a type of way for students to present information. Or, graphic organizers are “in-progress” formative assessments that aim to help students think through their ideas while making sense of the content. Infographics are final products that represent the culmination of an idea.
When planning to use infographics, decide on the following:
1. What tools will be used to make the infographic?
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- There are multiple online tools that can be used to create infographics at no cost. While there are several ones available, we often use search for them on Canva, Venngage, and Piktochart, among several others.
2. What guidance can I offer my students when making infographics?
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- One of the great advantages of using the technologies recommended in #1 is that they offer templates for infographics. Students can search and browse the template until they find one they like. Once they do, they can then customize the template.
3. After my students create their infographic, how can they share it with me and their peers?
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- Each of the tools listed in #1 allow for easy sharing. Once they have created their infographic, students can click a “share” button that is embedded within the tool (probably on the top right). Students can share their infographic using a direct link to it or if they are building a website, students can embed their infographic onto a webpage.