When mentoring our pre-service and in-service teachers we need to describe
and model both research-based and clinically tested best practices, and
demonstrate how these best practices can be applied in the real (i.e. physical)
and virtual (i.e. online) classroom for both teaching and teacher training. The
combination of face to face instruction in a physical setting and online
learning is called blended learning. In this section of the blog we will
describe how the internet can serve as a supplemental resource for instruction
and the mentoring of pre-service and in-service Jewish educators. In this post
we will discussion how, Piktochart,
an infographic web tool, can be used to promote Judaic instruction and
to mentor/train pre-service and in-service Jewish educators.
Assumption: The teacher or mentor teacher has an interactive white board (i.e. SMART
Board, Promethean, etc.), a Tablet PC (also called a Slate or Blade), a
computer presenter or computer with internet access attached to an LCD
projector in the classroom. It would be ideal if students or mentees had access
to their own laptop computers or iPads. Given parental and school
approval, and the development of specific guidelines, smartphones can be used
to enhance instruction as well.
Note: Although Piktochart can be applied in the Judaic Studies blended learning
classroom, it can be also be used for training pre-service and in-service
Jewish educators for professional or staff development. It is our hope that
Jewish educators around the globe will form an online community of
practice, a CoP, a group of people who share an interest, a craft,
and/or a profession, to enhance the delivery of instruction and training of
Jewish educators. For example, here is a CoP you
might want to join.
Note: Piktochart can be used in a face to face and virtual classroom.
What is Piktochart?
Pickochart is an infographic web tool.
What is an Infographic web tool?
An infographic web tool
or app is an internet application or type of software which enables the user
to create a meaningful pictorial or visual display of complex data.
According to http://www.techopedia.com/definition/27808/information-graphic-infographic
an infographic is:
a visual
representation of a data set or instructive material. An infographic takes a
large amount of information in text or numerical form and then condenses it
into a combination of images and text, allowing viewers to quickly grasp the
essential insights the data contains. Infographics are not a product of the
Web, but the Internet has helped popularize their use as a content medium.
According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infographic
infographics are graphic
visual representations of information,
data or knowledge intended to
present complex information quickly and clearly.[1][2]
They can improve cognition by utilizing graphics to enhance the human visual
system’s ability to see patterns and trends.[3][4]
The process of creating infographics can be referred to as data visualization, information design, or information
architecture.[2]
Click here too see
sample infographics on American Jews which were reported from the 2013
Pew Research Survey of American Jews.
Where is Piktochart located on the internet?
Where can I find tutorials demonstrating how to use Piktochart?
Click on the links below to find tutorials on how to use Piktochart:
- http://piktochart.com/resources/tutorials/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbyUbXkc8KE
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GUmq_j-_NA
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8gA37R7ciw
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZmUDQh3m6Y
- http://web.appstorm.net/reviews/graphic-design/infographics-made-easy-with-piktochart/
- http://www.slideshare.net/waterborneidentities/tutorial-piktochart-16444570
- http://www.infographics-edkit.com/piktochart.html
- http://piktochart.com/faq/
- http://piktochart.com/demo/
On the next post we will discuss how the
infographic web tool, Piktochart, can be used to promote Judaic instruction and
to mentor/train Jewish educators.
