This assignment asked us to create a series of digital images (2) that express important subject-matter ideas (for your own teaching area). Technically, these images will be in the animated GIF arena, borrowing heavily from the idea of cinemagraphs. Creating compelling images requires a deep understanding the of subject-matter, audience, technique, and forms of expression. In our view, creating evocative images of ideas is exactly what good educators do every day.
Commentary:
The infograph was a very mentally challenging assignment. However, I’m very pleased with my results. At first, I wanted to create an inforgraph that would allow me to help students learn a concept in a more efficient manner than I have done in the past. I decided that I would chose to do an inforgraph on the three branches of government. I’m my classroom, the students have difficulty placing the branches in order that were created by the Constitution and listing and identifying major characteristics of each branch. As I began to get feedback on my first infograph, I realized that it was a simple hand out, which wouldn’t spur any type of discussion or controversy.
After putting my head together with the professor, I realized that I should attempt to compare cultural, social, and economic relationships with China. This is a great topic because my students understanding of China is very minimal. Their perception of China has mostly been given to them by their parents and by their friends. Very little of their knowledge is data driven. Throughout the infograph you will see that the sections are broken down into population, unemployment, renewable energy, national debt, and military assets. Each of these topic will allow my students to discuss and debate the implications of each.
The creation of the infograph wasn’t bad. I think I could have created this infograph in word and would have been able to do a better job. As I look back, I should have created different layers for all my boxes. This would have allowed my to managed each part better. I wanted to have a pastel colored background, but, because of how my layers were set up, this made it practically impossible. Also, my infograph is very tall. This is has its positives and negatives. If I give this to my students digitally, then they won’t be able to see the entire thing on the screen. However, by zooming in it will allow the student to focus on one little part at a time.
In the end, it was a great project and I learned a really neat program. I will hopefully use this in the classroom for my kids to ponder and think.
Jeffrey Fisher 