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2.2.3 Using Infographics to Develop Visual Literacy

Visual representations and literacy have been around since cave paintings. Textbooks have included these simple data visualizations. However, technology has increased the complexity, depth, and creativity of these information graphics, or infographics. Instead of pages and pages of text explaining a phenomenon, infographics concisely packs that information on one page communicating through graphics, numbers, and text. In our attention deficit world, these complex visual displays capture the interest of the audience and invoke emotions of curiosity, excitement, and enthusiasm.

The skill of visual literacy crosses all disciplines and subjects and is critical for 21st century learning and careers. Students use both creative and critical thinking skills when working with this visual data story. In addition, as students read infographics they use both linguistic and nonlinguistic systems, or visual and verbal modes. According to Marzano (2010), when learners acquire knowledge through both systems, they can better store, recall, and apply the learning. By using both systems, students are more effective in learning and communicating. Students learn skills related to professional communication (Martix & Hodson, 2014)

When students create infographics, they are not just translating verbal into visual modes. They must research and analyze information, determine patterns and relationships, choose appropriate graphics that are meaningful, and then create the story that concisely communicates this knowledge.

Infographics appeal to all students, but gifted learners, highly visual, and 2e learners will soar. These highly complex, visual stories add creativity back into the learning. Attendees will be able to embed appropriate infographics into existing lessons and teach students how to create these concise forms of effective communication using both visual and verbal learning modes. Rajamanickam (2005) explains it best, “Information graphics reveal the hidden, explain the complex and illuminate the obscure” (p. 2).

Anyone who works with gifted learners will want to attend this session to learn about infographics, which is sweeping the business world. Participants will leave this session with multiple resources of existing infographics to use in their classrooms and online tools to create these complex visual displays.

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