For my graphics activity I used a website called Canva. It seems like a good site (the only one I have ever used), it’s relatively user friendly and has a lot of free pictures available. The only problem I had with the site was not being able to save the work in my own files and then transfer it to the blog. I was forced to take multiple screen shots of my work and then insert them individually onto the blog. I will need to get more experience on the site to get the bugs worked out. I hope your eyesight is good.
I am in the middle of planning a 4 day, 3 night camping trip to the Kootenay Plains, which is in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains near Nordegg, Alberta. The idea behind my pictorial itinerary is that I want my campers to take some ownership in remembering the daily activities. Anyone who’s ever taken a group of students on a trip with multiple daily activities, knows the question you hear 100 times a day, “What are we doing next?” I thought posting the daily itinerary at some central location at our campsite would ensure all students see the activity pictures paired with the text. I might even provide the students with these graphics prior to leaving and have them try and memorize the daily activities. The students brains can remember visual images much easier and better than words alone.
I used shapes (arrows) to show the students when they were in their separate groups and when they were together. I also used the technique of alignment to give my graphics an easy to follow order. I have utilized a few of the “Types of Graphics for Learning” principles. My graphics fall into the Organizational category as they convey a structure of daily activities and times. I would also categorize my graphics as Representative because I’m using words, shapes and pictures to transmit information to my students.
Hi Steve,
I think that’s a great infographic you’ve made to lay out the schedule for your camping trip. You’ve piqued my interest as this is kind of work I did in 20’s in the CF and the Canadian Cadet Organization. I was a CF certified rappel master and did a lot of winter and summer expedition training with kids 13-18.
I’ve heard Canva is a great tool but I haven’t used it myself. As part of my involvement with BCcampus last December I was organizing our 12 Apps of Christmas, where one of the items was Canva. Here’s quick tutorial by my friend Colin at Trinity Western.
http://12appsofchristmas.ca/app-8-dec-13-canva/
It looks like you can download a graphic, but these instructions are for the mobile version.
The key to your graphic’s success is the icon-style images that don’t distract the viewers and the downward progression that everyone will understand as displaying progress through the day.
Thanks for the feedback Keith. This will actually be my first camping trip with students since I used to teach outdoor ed. about 20 years ago. This will be a bit easier since I am hiring a service provider for the entire trip. I’m going to take a look at the tutorial and have another crack at Canva.
Hi Steve,
Very nice, clear instructions explaining the day. Is there a way to condense the graphics so that they are not on separate pages? Or display the graphics in a different format? I will play around with Canva as well as I didn’t find SumoPaint very user friendly! However, I will also try and tackle it again. I also like how you have used contrast in your headings and descriptions as well as consistency with your colour choices with the arrows.
Markku