Infographics and the Creation of an Infographic

Wouldn't it be wonderful if there was someway to make textual information into a graphic?  Well, wait no more.  Infographic sites have been created to allow users to take information and convert it into graphics.  Let's go ahead and take a look at three infographic sites.



This infographic site was fairly easy to use and quickly caught my attention with the seemingly unlimited amount of templates ready to be used - whether they be left as they are or altered.  The tools tab was also not overwhelming and allowed a newbie like me to navigate like I was almost a pro.  It also set me up with some quick and easy to follow steps that gave me leeway to either use what was provided or delete it all and start on my own, which is an aspect that I like since sometimes sites can bombard new users with a how-to process and not allow them to get started until they've gone through all the steps.  It also has it's basic features like one of its sister sites, Piktochart, providing an undo/redo button, a save button (extremely important!), and others like allowing the user to 'lock' items together.  It also provides the users with a variety of options of how they would like to publish and/or share their newly created infographic.  The only negative aspect I found with the site is that unless you sign-up and pay for the Pro (which is only $3.00 a month), you have limited access to graphics and designs.  However, I felt Easel.ly is a great infographic site and will definitely meet the needs of those just needing to create basic infographics.  I will definitely be using it again.

The first thing that I noticed with Piktochart is that I had to focus on the how-to steps it was providing, which wasn't necessarily a deal breaker in the beginning.  Another plus to this site is that it has way more graphics available than Easel.ly.  As I began to mess around with the site, one thing that I noticed that Piktochart doesn't have that Easel.ly does is the option to 'Draw.'  Granted, that's not a deal breaker either, but it could put a damper on some who are steady with the hand and want to add their own personal touch (though Easel.ly's 'Draw' option isn't a free-for-all, it still allows the user to be creative with their infographic).  Lastly, the blank template that I was provided with to start seemed to be a bit too busy to me.  With Easel.ly, I was able to view the entire document as I was the one in control of how wide and/or tall I wanted my infographic to be.  But with Piktochart, the templates are broken up into sections and you won't be able adjust the document since they come set with dimensions already.  And though this might not be a deal breaker for some, it is a definite deal breaker for me.  I like having the freedom to be creative.  And a definite deal breaker for Piktochart is that if you want to have all access to what the site has to offer, you have to pay $39.99 for the year, while you can spend $3.00 a month with Easel.ly.  However, if you're the type that is going to be using this and investing quite a bit of time with creating infographics, then I definitely recommend signing up for Piktochart as it offers a wider range of already free graphics compared to Easel.ly.



The last infographic site that I took a look at was Infogram, and I quickly realized that this was not my cup of tea.  This site is specifically meant for business professionals or those working on a data driven presentation.  The templates offered are stricly structured and limited to being either an infographic, a chart/graph, or a map, which is when I realized the type of audience that Infogram was aiming for.  Even after I selected the option for having an infographic template, I was immediately shown other templates with graphs and charts on them and had no way to add visually appealing graphics (like Easel.ly and Piktochart).  Now, don't get me wrong, this site does offer graphics - but they are limited and have appear to have a professional finish to them.  However, one thing that I truly liked about this site is that it provides the user the option to upload and/or import data from places like OneDrive and Dropbox.  You can also make your infographics public or private, though to get the private option (as well as access to various other items made available) you need to pay either $19.99 a month for Pro or $67.99 a month for Business - both of which are billed yearly.  So, if you're going to be creating infographics for personal use or work use, then Easel.ly and Piktochart are for you; but if you're in a business, then you should probably be going with Infogram.



And last but not least, here is the infographic that I created using Easel.ly.

Blogs & Blog Readers

Decisions, Decisions...

As I was reading the article, The 12 Best RSS Reader Apps to Follow Your Favorite Blogs, Sites, and Feeds, it was clear to me that the best RSS Reader App for me was Feedly.


I really liked how I could turn the feeds into graphics and how the sidebar gave me options in what I wanted to view (which I know is a feature provided on all Readers).  However, just the fact that I can view the images, is what really made me choose Feedly as my designated RSS Reader App since I'm such a visual person.


One thing that turned me away from a handful of the RSS Reader Apps is that many of them did not appear visually appealing or user friendly.  I love graphics that are eye-catching and visually appealing, especially since that's usually the first thing that catches my attention.  I'm the type of person that sees the image first before the text.  Also, in my personal opinion, everyone needs a little color in their life.

ReadKit

Unfortunately, not everyone will have those graphics in apps like NewsBlur and ReadKit, which seem to have homepages that look very much to be like the home page of your e-mail, listing all of the news feed coming in with graphics possibly appearing only after you click on the feeder link.  This e-mail appearance-like feature is especially seen in RSSOwl.


And though some Readers appear to be able to do it all, such as FlowReader, the page appears too busy with the eyes not really knowing where to go because there's just so much text all over the homepage.

FlowReader

FlowReader is able to provide you with feeds from not only your favorite blogs, but also feeds from your Facebook page and provide you with a sidebar specifically meant for your Twitter account.  My Twitter account does not mess with my Facebook page (and vice versa), but that's probably because I'm not that savvy when it comes to social media applications.  Lastly, there are just some RSS Reader Apps that come with a price (why pay when you can get a similar product for free) and/or are just not meant for a Windows.

As of now, I really do think that Feedly is the perfect fit for me especially since I'm the type of person that likes to keep things separate - at least for now.  Possibly once I get the hang of using all these different types of social media applications, my perspective may change and I'll be ready to use an RSS Reader App like FlowReader (even if it doesn't provide the feeds in the form of graphics like Feedly does).

This blog was created by Buffy Hamilton, who was a teacher turned librarian turned teacher.  Many things that Hamilton has on her blog are meant for the teacher than the student.  She provides activities that have helped her in the classroom (specifically research templates and the process of how she used them).  Hamilton also has a few posts about some professional developments that she has attended at her campus and discusses how she modifies them to be in the classroom.  The best thing that I have to say about this blog though is that she provides many resources for writing activities.

Nikki D. Robertson is the creator of this blog, and it is such a wonderful reference guide for both the new and veteran librarian.  Robertson provides guidance in her posts, reminding the librarian to be themselves and what the most important aspects are of being one.  She provides a step by step process on how to be acclimated with using technology and social media sites.  Lastly, one of the best things about this particular blog is that Robertson appears to be very active for her followers.

Created in 2009, this book/media review blog is literally meant for those that are die-hard fans of young adult material - whether it be literature or media (though the media items presented in the blog are mostly derived from literature, such as the creation of the TV show "Shadowhunters" being a possibility thanks to Cassie Clare's The Mortal Instruments series).  Though this blog may not appear to be much use to a teacher or librarian, it can definitely help spark interest in those Reluctant Young Adult Readers (RYAR).  Plus, can you imagine the types of conversations (crossing fingers for book talks) that could take place once RYARs realize that some of their favorite TV shows are books?

This Tumblr blog does not seem to be very active at the moment; however, don't let that prevent you from visiting.  The creator of this blog provides many different ideas for displays, many of which will bring a chuckle or giggle from the patrons.  The blog is perfect for assisting the new librarian with garnering interest, especially in those reluctant readers.  And as for you veteran librarians, don't fret - some of these displays are definitely meant to spark creativity.

Mystery Display

One of my favorite displays from this particular blog.

Another blog found on Tumblr, the creator posts her own reviews of various books that she has within her collection, and she's definitely not afraid to be honest.  She discusses new released books and books that she remembers reading when she was younger, stating how some are so memorable to her and how Jessica Sorensen's The Fallen Star series is the main reason why she has become such an avid reader.  This blog can be a great tool for readers looking for something new to read while possibly providing the librrian inspiration for the next book club book.

To see the other types of blogs I follow on my Tumblr page, just click on the link: https://smirkingcheshirecat.tumblr.com/

Social Media Sites...Oh My!

Facebook
     One of the first school library pages that I looked into was the Mission High School Library in Mission, Texas.  What I liked about Mission's library page is that they are constantly posting memes and 'posters' that appear to be relevant to either the library or the school.  They also seem to be very active with their posts.  And even though they have around 200 people 'following' them, they're not really getting a lot of 'hits' back.  The same can be said for two elementary school pages that I also viewed, which were Elm Grove Elementary Library in Independence, Missouri and Hermon Elementary School Library in Hermon, Maine.  All three pages appear to be active and post events and videos taking place around their campus, and yet each one has limited follower feedback/engagement.  However, out of the three, I would have to say that Elm Grove has the better school library page.  The librarian, Mr. Harris, takes meaningful pictures of his young readers being engaged with either events going on in the library or around campus.  He also provides detailed information about how to get in contact with the school library, as well as what behavior is allowed and acceptable when posting to the school library page.  If anything else, another thing that really stood out to me was that Mr. Harris also ventured out of the library to take pictures of the events going on around campus and even posted videos.

• Overall Opinion about Facebook - I think it is a great tool to be used in promoting the library, but should perhaps provide more engaging and/or interactive content to ensure that the 'followers' are actually participating with the page and not just liking it because it pops up under pages you might like.

Twitter

     I will be honest, I'm not a big user or fan of Twitter (I've never had an account until just a couple of days ago for educational purposes); however, I really do recommend the use of Twitter over Facebook when it comes to promoting a school library.  After reading tweets from those involved with educational technology, I feel like I know them a bit more and that I have an easier time connecting with them through Twitter than I would Facebook.  There appears to be a bit more interaction and engagement from followers, and I also believe that the followers get to be exposed more to the happenings in the world - a definite must for those that are unaware of anything outside of their own home, as well as a point for Twitter since I did not see any of those posts on the Facebook pages I browsed through.  Kathy Schrock (@kathyschrock) has a Tweet that is such a great example - Cape Cod - Geodesic Dome 360 View.  Also, because of the minimum amount of characters a Tweet can hold, the Tweets are short, simple, and to the point - another plus since the attention span of a student and busy parent is not enough to read a paragraph (a feature of Facebook).

• Overall Opinion about Twitter - After browsing for a bit through Twitter, I definitely see more promotion opportunities for librarians than I did with using Facebook.  It is important to keep in mind that the new generations are growing up with technology, and, though the older generation may have a hard time adapting, they will adapt because there is no where to go but forward.

On a side note - I then went back to look at the school libraries I found on Facebook, and only Mr. Harris has a Twitter account - it does not have as many followers as his Facebook page (which is easily remedied through promoting his Twitter page).  Yet, perhaps the preference of which social media sites to use depends on the preference of the followers?  Besides, librarians do the things they do for the benefit of others.  So, as proven by Mr. Harris, why not have both?