Topic/Area: Science-Technology-Engineering-Arts-Maths & Social Studies
Date released: 2017-2020
Type of Best Practices
- Toolkit
- Online Tools, Applications or Platform
Partners / network
NYS Teacher Leaders of CollectEdNY
Partners for the Educational Infographics for STEAM
Description of the methods/ approach
The Teacher Toolkit of the CollectEdNY provides background knowledge for teachers on what infographics are and why it makes sense to use them. There are explicit connections to the Next Generation Science Standards and the Common Core State Standards in the toolkit.
The Educational for Infographics STEAM project (E-I-STEAM) develops visual materials that will help students understand the challenging topics in their books.
Purpose/Aim
CollectEdNY has developed the Classroom Teacher Toolkit that employs infographics as a way “for students to practice key science literacy skills”. While the focus of these lessons is science, this toolkit can be used as a how-to guide on infographics in any content area.
E-I-STEAM aims:
- to create teaching methods through innovative approaches;
- to engage students in STEAM activities;
- to increase the level of knowledge in the key-competences;
- to provide hands-on learning opportunities;
- to promote internationalization and European values;
Evaluation (results) of its effectiveness (if applicable)
There is list generated by experts of the California Academy of Sciences about what makes a good infographic.
Overview of the lessons learned which are relevant to the project
When students interpret infographics, they practice reading and understanding graphs, charts, diagrams, and maps; finding patterns in data and interpreting their meaning; and arguing from evidence to support their interpretation of the infographic.
When students critique others’ infographics, they practice using evidence to support an argument.
When students create their own infographics, they gain experience analyzing data, finding and explaining patterns in data, and thoughtfully deciding how to visually present that data.
References/online sources
CUNY HSE Curriculum Framework
Infographics in the Classroom Teacher Toolkit