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Creating Infographics with Piktochart

My last blog post centered around why Infographics provide information the way your brain craves, and a few ideas of how you might use Infographics in your classroom.   This post will walk you through some of the creation tools available using Piktochart.  (Note that you can also create an Infographic using Google Slides, Google Drawing, or another tool called Canva.)

Design Considerations:

I worked with students in Dora Goldings' English class this week.  (FYI, the student feedback about Piktochart was extremely positive.  The words 'Rad' and 'So cool' were heard - who knew?)  We discussed the design process for Infographics:


We reviewed and analyzed several different Infographics and talked about design elements like color, amount and type of text, and use of graphics. 
Students need to make an important mindset shift when creating their Infographic.  They need to think in terms of 'telling a story' with graphics.   For example, you might see this type of graphic on a traditional poster:



A nice fact with a supporting, colorful graphic.

Another option:


Which one is better?

(If you think self-explanatory graphics and fewer words make the second graphic better, you are correct!)

How do students get started?

Step 1: Create an account

Students navigate to Piktochart.  They can use their @concordcarlisle.org Google account to sign up. 
From https://piktochart.com/blog/student-guide-getting-started-piktochart/

Step 2: Choose a template

https://piktochart.com/blog/student-guide-getting-started-piktochart/


Currently, students have a number of templates to choose from.  As of May 6, 2019, students will be free to choose any template they wish.  Students can make changes to existing templates, or create one from scratch (not recommended for their first Infographic).

Step 3:  Add Graphics and Text


https://piktochart.com/blog/student-guide-getting-started-piktochart/

Piktochart provides access to beautiful, professional photographs that students have permission to use right in the app through Unsplash.  (Dora's students also heartily approved of the quality of the photos available.)  Students also have access to a large number of icons and silhouettes within Piktochart and can upload images as well.

Step 4:  Visualize your Data

https://piktochart.com/blog/student-guide-getting-started-piktochart/

Piktochart provides the ability to create many different types of charts by entering data or copying/pasting existing data.  Piktochart gives you full visual control over colors, size, etc. for charts and graphs you create.  Piktochart even provides maps you can manipulate for your purposes. 

Based on feedback from one of Dora's classes, this process (along with planning graphics) can be difficult for some students.  It takes critical thinking to determine the best way to communicate and visualize data.

Step 5:  Share

https://piktochart.com/blog/student-guide-getting-started-piktochart/


Students can download their Piktograph as an image, or they can set the Infographic sharing to Public and share the link.  Either the file itself or the link can be added to a Google Classroom assignment and turned in. 

If you want students to be able to see each other's work, you can share a Google Document or Slide deck where 'all students can edit'.  Have students add their link to the document or slide.  All students can view each other's work by clicking the link provided.

Hopefully, Piktochart becomes another tool in your toolbox for students to 'Show what they know'!


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