Have students deliver, research driven displays of vital information into visual forms such as posters and presentations.
A poster format allows an audience to easily understand information because it is displayed visually communicative and interesting way. Students need to research and then organize information in a poignant yet stimulating connection to their audience, which can be output as a hardcopy print for display, or showcase or can be easily distributed online.
A visual presentation has the added dimension of time; therefore, students relay information along a chronological or rhizomatic timeline. Presentations can be delivered by students during class time, or distributed online for others to explore and navigate at home.
Projects Ideas
Have students depict a timeline or geographic map, or compare and contrast two ideas pertaining to a certain topic from your class. Students can highlight and further explain significant events, or highlight areas of overlap and contrast within the timelines or spaces. You may also ask students to expand on certain points, including icon illustrations, graph or citations.
- Have students create an infograph which presents complex information in a visual form by presenting big chunks of data or knowledge in a simple eye-catching fashion. It has been shown that well-crafted infographics enhance cognitive processes because the graphics themselves allow people to easily recognize patterns.
- Students can render a timeline map of a certain historical or fictional figure, world or regional event, build up to developing an industry, etc… that takes us through events and facts into the lead up of a significant moment.
- Engage students in creating a story map that illustrates a geographic or space-based historical event, places within a storyline, or other disciplinary components of the curriculum.
Examples
- Timeline infographic image
- Comparing 2 timelines infographic
- Knightlab timeline examples
- Knightlab storyline examples
Useful Links
Have students deliver vital components of a research argument that combines images, text explanations and graphic measurements. Certain graphics can be used to enhance an argument including bullet points, icons to symbolize a topic, organized and grouped information using borders and background colours, etc… The poster may contain areas of detailed research information evidence as well as displaying their process through the argument or study.
- Activating student research on a particular topic, have them succinctly illustrate in a research poster using sections and subheadings, areas and points of interest, citations and resources, to deliver an argument to the audience. Use visual forms to expand upon areas of importance, group areas of research, and demonstrate certain inferred concepts backed up by research, graphs and detailed information.
- Research, organize and deliver two sides of an argument or perspective of a particular subject, story or theory from class. Decipher important topic areas and build information upon similarities and differences in a time-based presentation to present the information in tandem.
- Students can highlight creative work and executed research through engaged learning projects, highlighting practice-led research methods and iterative processes in design thinking. For example, Fionn Bryne, Assistant Professor in School of Architecture + Landscape Architecture, compiles student visions in an ebook Change in Common: Climate Change and the Future of the Yard.
Examples
- Change in Common: Climate Change and the Future of the Yard
- Getting Inside the Mind of a Buyer Poster
- Obama vs. Romney Prezi presentation
Useful Links
- Using Infographics to communicate your research
- Lecture on making "Killer Infographics"
- Damyanov & Tsankov (2018) The Role of Infographics for the Development of Skills for Cognitive Modeling in Education
- Tips and tricks to ace your presentation