Infographics can be very effective ways to communicate ideas because they combine images or graphics to illustrate, highlight, explain, and enhance text-based information. Not only do they capture attention and visually convey facts and relationships, they often make the information easier to remember for many people.

The Effects of Color, from Apple's free Everyone Can Create Drawing eBook Plants and Butterflies, from Apple's free Everyone Can Create Drawing eBook Lightbulb Infographic, from Apple's free Everyone Can Create Drawing eBook

Asking your students to create visual explanations can improve learning. Students must think critically about a subject, identify and organize key components, and make decisions on what they want to convey to a viewer. This allows them to have control over how they want to express their ideas.

The infographics they create also provide a clear way to demonstrate their understanding. When students create infographics, they are using information, visual, and technology literacies.

Explore Infographics with your Students

Look at some examples, and ask your students what they think of using infographics to convey information compared to using text alone. Help them understand that the keys to creating an effective Infographic is to present only the details needed to identify key points, make comparisons, show timelines or trends, or convey a message.

Projects and Tools

Everyone Can Create Drawing

A good starting point can be Chapter 8: Infographics, in the free eBook Everyone Can Create Drawing on iPad

Students can use either the Keynote or Pages apps on their iPads to get started. They both include a huge library of Shapes students can use, in addition to the built-in drawing and text options. Students who don't feel they are very good at drawing can still create amazing infographics!

Examples of Shapes in Keynote and Pages

Both apps allow students to collaborate on projects, if you want to have students work in groups. And when completed, students can easily share their work as images or PDF files.

The Create an Infographic Series by Mrs. Bugnitz

Kristin Bugnitz, the Media Specialist at Tremont Elementary School, has been working with students and teachers on Infographic Projects. She has developed a process for students to develop an infographic using Keynote, and created videos you can share with students that demonstrate the steps involved.

A Brief History of Infographics (video). This 4 minute video is a little detailed, but stick with at least the first two minutes for the main points.

She uses these 3 infographic examples in these lessons.

Favorite Foods example, by Kristin Bugnitz No More Garbage example, by Kristin Bugnitz The Spider example, by Kristin Bugnitz

Step 1: Gather Your Information — explore the types of information that will be displayed in the infographic, and look at the examples to identify the different elements. (video, 6:42)

Step 2: Organization — think about how to arrange information within the infographic, using the organization to help share what we want our reader to learn. (video, 6:21)

Step 3: Visuals — practice choosing symbols to represent items or ideas. (video, 7:06)

Step 4: Text — looking at font, style, size and setting to show relationships and importance in our text, and how to create stylized text blocks to help information stand out. (video, 10:08)

Step 5: Assemble it all and Share!

Putting it All Together Part 1: Organization & Title — set up the background and title for the final infographic. (video, 5:41)

Putting it All Together Part 2: Adding Information — adding the data and icons selected earlier. (video, 9:35)

Putting it All Together Part 3: Refining Texts & Shapes, Exporting — add the finishing touches and export. (video, 8:17)

Here's the final product!

Infographic Resources

Please reach out to your Media Specialist for more information and assistance with planning and presenting activities in your classroom!