Why Use Infographics?

Recently a colleague said to me that infographics are nothing but advertisements. And this is precisely why they are so valuable to use in education. Students often look at statistics as facts. Couple statistics with graphs and images, and very rarely will students question the authenticity and reliability of said infographic. Students must take a critical literacy stance by asking themselves these questions:

What is the source of the information?
What bias might be present?
Whose voice is present? Whose voice is missing?
What techniques does the author use to persuade?
Are the citations reliable?

As teachers, we have to help our students navigate the world-wide web and Infographics provide stimulating inroads into those invaluable lessons.

Voki in Foreign Language Instruction

I just created a Voki. I was able to create an avatar, access text to speech software, and choose the language.

The possibilities here are endless. A foreign language teacher can record her voice and have students log on, listen, and practice at home. She can also get students to create their own Vokis and use them to assess where students are doing well and where their students are struggling.

I plan to play with it a little more and love the idea that an educational version is on its way.

Tagxedo--Way better than Wordle!

 
This is my new favourite site!  Arrange words into shapes.  This one is the Daily tagxedo from May 1st in honour of the beatification of Pope John Paul II.