Infographics

Today I spent some time thinking about how I can instill the motivation to be a reader in my Kindergarten students.  Oh wait, Kinders can't read, right?? Well that is completely untrue, even at the beginning of the year.  I teach my little friends that they CAN read and they should WANT to read. And not to mention, reading is cool and you learn a lot by being a good reader.

Instead of just telling my students these things, I chose to use an infographic to show my students and give them visual reminders of why reading is important.  Creating the infographic was pretty simple because I used a template from Canva.  I decided what I wanted to tell my students and tried to make it Kindergarten friendly.  Many infographics you see on the internet involve graphs, charts, and numbers...

Google Image Search: infographics

You can find many different templates for your infographic, including templates with the ability to showcase data, but you can create your own as well.  You do need to create an account but it is free to do so.  When you are creating your project, there are tons of free images to choose from, but there are also images you can purchase.  Uploading your own image is also possible.  Check out these steps to creating your own infographic from Canva.

1.  Go to Canva.com to create your design.

2. Find the infographic design template.

 3. Choose your template.  

You can change fonts and add pictures by searching their images or uploading your own.

 4. Finish your infographic and share or save.

In the upper elementary through high school classrooms, infographics would be a great way for your students to creatively share what they've learned that is visually pleasing.  Using an infographic in math class after completing a survey would be a great reinforcing or culminating activity.

In the primary classroom, you can use the infographic like I did, to motivate students or help them remember information better with the use of visuals.  Teachers and administrators can also utilize infographics in newsletters or handouts at conference time.

Infographics are an effective way to share information with a range of audiences.

ISTE-T
2. Design and develop digital age learning experiences and assessments
a. Design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity
3. Model digital age work and learning
b. Collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation
c. Communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital age media and formats

ISTE-S
1. Creativity and innovation
a. Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes
b. Create original works as a means of personal or group expression
2. Communication and collaboration
b. Communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats
d. Contribute to project teams to produce original works or solve problems
3. Research and information fluency
d. Process data and report results

Sources
Canva www.canva.com

ISTE standards- students. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/standards/iste-standards/standards-for-students

ISTE standards- teachers. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/standards/iste-standards/standards-for-teachers

Okland, S. (2015). Infographic Unit