This Months Newsletter

Infographics Progression

What can this look like in the classroom...

Which application should I use?

Learners in Wales have access to several applications which allow them to create infographics.

In simple terms, an infographic is a visual representation of data and/or information. These are usually simple to follow and concise in the message they are sharing.

Through the Hwb platform, these can be created using several of the available applications. Presentation software can be adapted to allow learners to change the layout of their page to create content that suits them.

Through their Hwb logins learners have access to Adobe Express and Canva, which allow them to create infographics.

Where to start...

This can be dependent on several factors;

Devices which are available to the learners, some apps are simpler to use than others
The confidence of the staff in using the technology

Literacy skills

Infographics allow learners to develop their literacy skills by helping them understand how language conveys a message,. They will need to adapt their language use to suit the message they are trying to convey.

Reading Skills

Learners will develop their understanding of language through ensuring what they have written provides a concise message.

Writing Skills

By planning their infographic, learners will need to choose what information they need to include, which information needs to be adapted to be more concise and ensure that it is appropriate for their audience.

Speaking skills

Because infographics can be shared digitally, they also allow learners to add music and recorded audio to support any message they are sharing.

Numeracy skills

Learners will need to understand organising information, adapting and adjusting font and image sizes to create an infographic which delivers on the learner's brief.

By planning the content of their infographic, learners will need to think about scale and ratio to include all their planned information.

Cognitive Load Theory

John Sweller suggests our working memory can only hold a set amount of information, for this reason, it is important to manage the skills/knowledge that learners are asked to apply.

Learners must use technology to enhance their learning experiences. Therefore, we should avoid overloading them with applying digital skills and having to recall the knowledge they are showcasing.

By developing a learner's understanding of how infographics can be used to show their understanding systematically. It will allow them to retain a focus on the information they are including and not become overwhelmed by having to remember too many digital skills.

Starting out with infographics (Yr 1/2*)

Learners can develop their understanding of creating pictures where they add text to provide information.

This example is created using Google Drawings, however, learners could also make use of JIT paint in Just2Easy.

*All year groups are suggestions based on knowledge of examples where this has been implemented successfully in classrooms

Adobe Express to create infographics/posters (Yr 2/3*)

Learners can start to create posters to share what they understand about topics, there are templates within Adobe Express/Canva which can be used by learners as a starting point.

By planning their infographics, learners can ensure they add all the information they need to cover their success criteria for the work they are doing.

Learners can add text and images to their work, this can also include shapes to add meaning.

*All year groups are suggestions based on knowledge of examples where this has been implemented successfully in classrooms

More complex Infographics (Yr 3/4*)

Learners can add backgrounds and use different fonts in their work.

They should develop an understanding of their colour selections and font styles, keeping these to a few changes which do not distract from the message.

Learners should make use of text augmentation, which they have developed an understanding of in other applications, such as bold, italic or underline.

*All year groups are suggestions based on knowledge of examples where this has been implemented successfully in classrooms

Creating digital books (Yr 5/6*)

Pages can be added to infographics, this allow learners to create digital books or explainer documents.

Learners can collaborate on projects and be set specific tasks within a shared project.

*All year groups are suggestions based on knowledge of examples where this has been implemented successfully in classrooms

Secondary School skills developments

Assuming all feeder primary schools are developing the above skills within the assignments their learners are completing. In that case, secondary schools can have a solid grounding to create videos to share their understanding.

In secondary schools, teachers can then be confident that when asking learners to complete tasks or integrate into activities, learners will have prior experiences to build upon.

At this point learners entering year 7 should have the skills to create infographics using several different applications. These could be by adapting their use of presentation software or using an application designed to create infographics like Adobe or Canva.

Infographics and digital books can be created to share learners' understanding of the topics they have been learning about in class.

Additional adaptations which secondary school learners could make.

In Primary school, learners should have developed the skills of creating infographics in apps like Adobe Express or Canva.

In secondary school, learners can develop an increased understanding of:

Page layout and orientation - learners can create social media posts
Use of text in infographics to enhance the creator's message. Consistency in font and text size.
Make use of animations and transitions to enhance their online infographics.

NB. All examples below are from Adobe Express' Templates

These can be used to allow learners to edit and impove the documents to suit their success criteria.

Expressive Arts

Learners can create infographics where they can explore and reflect on the work they have created. Their infographics can be used to reflect what they have learnt and understood, as well as allowing them to reflect on their thoughts and feelings on the work.

Health & Well-being

Learners can create infographics which share what they have learnt and understood about a topic. These could then be shared with the school's wider community, it is also an opportunity to allow learners to research and create their own pieces of work.

Humanities

Infographics can allow learners to create timelines or profiles on historical figures. They can be used to create cross sections of rivers or volcanoes to share what learners know.

Several pages can be used to create a profile of information on several areas, where just one page is not sufficient.

Learners can develop an understanding of the various ways in which information can be shared on graphics.

Languages, Literacy & Communication

Learners are able to organise their thoughts and understanding of different topics/areas.

Create infographics to support an understanidng of second/third languages.

Infographics can be used to support learners planning or breaking down of the literary elements they are studying.

Maths & Numeracy

Learners can create infographics, which allows them to show their processes of using the mathematics formulae they are learning about.

Infographics can allow learners to use shape, space, and position to be represented pictorially.

Science & Technology

Infographics can be used by learners to share their findings, or as scientific write-ups. They can be created to explain processes they are studying.

Learners can create design proposals, marketing resources and sales reports using infographics. They can track their design and production portfolio

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