Using Infographics in the Classroom
This training course will teach teachers how infographics can be used in their classroom. While I am no longer employed at East Hall Middle School, I used my experience there to design this course as if I still worked there.
Here is the process I would have used to create this course: |
Step 1: Determine Needs
East Hall Middle School (EHMS) recently received a federal grant allowing them to purchase technology such as laptops and tablets. Teachers requested that they be provided with examples of how to use these new tools in their classrooms. Since the laptops and tablets are new products, it was determined that training was needed.
Step 2: Plan Project
To begin designing this training course, the instructional technology coordinator, two instructional coaches and four technology expert teachers brainstormed ways to use laptops and tablets in the classroom. They decided to provide training on their top 5 ideas. This design plan will focus on one of their ideas, how to use infographics in the classroom.
Since all of the teachers in the school have access to the new technology, this training will be required for all 90 teachers including all grades and content areas. The course will be administered on the next teacher professional development day, 30 days from today. There will be three, two hour training sessions that day, one for each grade level. Each session will have approximately 30 participants. There is no budget specifically for this course; however, all materials should be available for use. EHMS’s instructional technology coordinator will teach each session.
Step 3: Analyze Learners
The instructional technology coordinator stated that based on her experience at the school, of the 90 teachers, approximately 30% are very comfortable using technology in their classrooms, 30% are uncomfortable using technology in their classrooms and 40% are unfamiliar with using this new technology, but are willing to learn.
An informal survey was conducted to determine most of the teachers know of and have seen infographics before; however, very few have ever thought about using infographics in their classrooms. Since the majority of the teachers know what infographics are, there will only be a brief introduction to what an infographic is for the teachers who may not have seen them before. The class will mainly focus on the importance of using infographics in their classroom, what makes a good infographic and how they can be used in the classroom.
East Hall Middle School (EHMS) recently received a federal grant allowing them to purchase technology such as laptops and tablets. Teachers requested that they be provided with examples of how to use these new tools in their classrooms. Since the laptops and tablets are new products, it was determined that training was needed.
Step 2: Plan Project
To begin designing this training course, the instructional technology coordinator, two instructional coaches and four technology expert teachers brainstormed ways to use laptops and tablets in the classroom. They decided to provide training on their top 5 ideas. This design plan will focus on one of their ideas, how to use infographics in the classroom.
Since all of the teachers in the school have access to the new technology, this training will be required for all 90 teachers including all grades and content areas. The course will be administered on the next teacher professional development day, 30 days from today. There will be three, two hour training sessions that day, one for each grade level. Each session will have approximately 30 participants. There is no budget specifically for this course; however, all materials should be available for use. EHMS’s instructional technology coordinator will teach each session.
Step 3: Analyze Learners
The instructional technology coordinator stated that based on her experience at the school, of the 90 teachers, approximately 30% are very comfortable using technology in their classrooms, 30% are uncomfortable using technology in their classrooms and 40% are unfamiliar with using this new technology, but are willing to learn.
An informal survey was conducted to determine most of the teachers know of and have seen infographics before; however, very few have ever thought about using infographics in their classrooms. Since the majority of the teachers know what infographics are, there will only be a brief introduction to what an infographic is for the teachers who may not have seen them before. The class will mainly focus on the importance of using infographics in their classroom, what makes a good infographic and how they can be used in the classroom.
Step 5: Write Objectives
Since the goal of this training is for teachers to be able to incorporate infographics in their classroom, the main objective of this training is for teachers to write a lesson plan that uses infographics. All teachers are already familiar with how to write a lesson plan, but they will be provided with examples of how to use infographics to teach.
After completing this course, the learner will be able to
Step 6: Design Tests
Each teacher will be required to work with a partner to write a lesson plan that uses infographics. Since teachers rarely have enough planning time, they will be given time to work on this lesson plan during the session. They will be given an additional two weeks to complete the lesson plan and then are required to share it with their content team and instructional coach. Using the discussion guidelines provided, the content team will give feedback for improving the lesson plan.
Since the goal of this training is for teachers to be able to incorporate infographics in their classroom, the main objective of this training is for teachers to write a lesson plan that uses infographics. All teachers are already familiar with how to write a lesson plan, but they will be provided with examples of how to use infographics to teach.
After completing this course, the learner will be able to
- Explain what infographics are and why they are effective for conveying information.
- List the benefits of having students create, analyze and interpret infographics.
- Find infographics related to subject content.
- Identify what makes a good infographic.
- Create a lesson plan that uses infographics.
Step 6: Design Tests
Each teacher will be required to work with a partner to write a lesson plan that uses infographics. Since teachers rarely have enough planning time, they will be given time to work on this lesson plan during the session. They will be given an additional two weeks to complete the lesson plan and then are required to share it with their content team and instructional coach. Using the discussion guidelines provided, the content team will give feedback for improving the lesson plan.
Step 7: Select Methods and Structure Course
Before participants can begin thinking about how infographics can be used in their classroom, they need to have a solid understanding of what an infographic is, the purpose of infographics, why they should be used in the classroom and where they can find infographics related to the content area they teach. So 15 minutes will be devoted to explaining these topics. In the interest of saving time, this information will be presented with a lecture and short video. |
Since there are so many infographics on the web today, participants will also need to be able to distinguish between the good infographics and the bad. So participants will be given 40 minutes to evaluate two infographics and create a set of guidelines for their students to use when evaluating or creating their own infographics. This will be done in small groups.
The most important concept that participants need to get out of this course is how infographics can be used in their classroom. Therefore, half of the class will be devoted to this concept. Participants will be shown four examples of how infographics can be used in their classroom. They will then be given time to work on writing a lesson plan of their own and receive feedback from their peers.
The most important concept that participants need to get out of this course is how infographics can be used in their classroom. Therefore, half of the class will be devoted to this concept. Participants will be shown four examples of how infographics can be used in their classroom. They will then be given time to work on writing a lesson plan of their own and receive feedback from their peers.
Step 8: Develop Materials
Materials were developed using Microsoft Word for the handouts and Prezi for the presentation.
Materials were developed using Microsoft Word for the handouts and Prezi for the presentation.
Step 9: Validate Course
Due to time constraints, a pilot test of the course will not be conducted. However, the structure and activities of the course will be shared with the instructional technology coordinator and two instructional coaches. Every attempt will be made to adjust/modify the course based on their feedback.
Due to time constraints, a pilot test of the course will not be conducted. However, the structure and activities of the course will be shared with the instructional technology coordinator and two instructional coaches. Every attempt will be made to adjust/modify the course based on their feedback.
Step 10: Evaluate Course
Participants will be given a course evaluation form at the conclusion of the session. The two instructional coaches and instructional technology coordinator will each randomly pick two teachers to observe teaching the newly created infographics lesson. |