Easel.ly (https://www.easel.ly/) allows users to create infographics and piktocharts.
 |
| http://toyoutome.es/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/infografia-850x448.jpg |
Above is an example of an infographic. Infographics and piktocharts are
basically informative posters. With Easel.ly, users can add their own
pictures, backgrounds, and shapes or use the images provided by
Easel.ly. Without a username, website visitors can view all of the
posters created by previous users. It's actually pretty interesting to
learn about various topics through reading these posters. What's nice
about this tool is that users can create visually appealing and yet
informational posters. When I glanced through the list of previously
made infographics, I was instantly drawn to the well-done ones and I
expanded them and read the fun facts. When I pressed on individual
posters, I discovered that I can actually edit these previously created
posters. I have the option of adding on extra pictures and facts. This
feature could benefit teachers. For example, if a teacher liked a poster
about evolution, he or she can tweak the poster to make it more
applicable to their classroom and then they could print it out and post
it on the wall for students to see. These posters are a form of art:
students eyes will be drawn to it and they'll learn some facts in the
process.
 |
| When pressing on an individual poster, users have the options of editing certain words and pictures using the tools found above. Users may also create their own poster from scratch if they so desire. |
Since these posters are pieces of art, people that are
artistically-inclined will have a blast using this tool. It will allow
them to use their creative eye to create picturesque projects.
Unfortunately, people that are more inclined towards other skills (such
as music or writing) may not enjoy this tool as much. A student that
knows the lesson very well may have trouble expressing it artistically
and end up having a low grade on the Easel.ly project. To prevent this
potentially unfair situation from happening, teachers should only use
Easel.ly as an option for projects. Other options may include a
PowerPoint, an essay, etc. Another way to incorporate this tool fairly
into the classroom is by assigning it for group projects. Chances are,
one student from each group will have an artistic eye. Certain students
in the group can contribute in other ways (researching, summarizing,
etc.) while the artistic student can create a visually appealing poster.
The posters created by students can be printed out and placed in the
classroom to inform other students or may even be posted around the
school. This tool may actually be applicable to other parts of the
students' lives. For example, if they decide later to run for school
president or secretary, they may wish to create a poster that boosts
their image. Or, they may decide to use this tool for projects they may
complete in higher education classes.
 |
| KQED Learning's YouTube about easel.ly is very informative. |
Easel.ly is a relatively easy tool to use. There are great videos on YouTube that show how to use this tool. I personally found the one made by KQED Learning (2013) to be the most helpful. This YouTube video features step by step instructions of how to use the various tools on Easel.ly. To access this YouTube video, click on the link found below in the reference.
Reference
[KQED Learning]. (2013, October 17). How to make an infographic with easel.ly [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VHyKgdbUhU
