Category Archives: Infographics

Is your audience too busy?

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Then fear not, as help is at hand using the power of infographics.

It might be that you want to illustrate the benefits of studying abroad. Or maybe you want to show a breakdown of customer age groups or orders placed by geographical location. In just about every example you can think of, the presentation of the information will be boosted by an infographic. As a species we like images and they can say so much.

I have been looking at a site called infogr.am which offers some very easy to use infographic templates that makes creating attractive visuals from data a genuine pleasure.

Click on the image below to see some facts and figures for OISE Bristol over the last 12 months. Do you use infographics in your presentations?

infogram

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Reduce stress by planning

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You can never prepare too much for a job interview – the more you know about the company recruiting and have planned answers for likely questions, the more confident you will feel.

The questions they ask you can be prepared for to a degree as you can consider the type of questions they are likely to present. You can also think of some to put to them as this is always viewed favourably (just don’t ask about how much holiday you get).

Keep your nerves under control. You know what you are talking about and you have done your homework on their business,. Remember they must have liked your CV or you wouldn’t be at the interview, would you? Did you send a traditional CV or did they view your details online?

If you are trying to find a new job and it is proving difficult, don’t give up. These are very difficult times, but the better your CV, the better your preparation and the better your interview skills, then the better your chances. Good luck!

Click on the image below for a very well thought out and designed infographic that may prove useful.

Stress

Stress (Photo credit: topgold)

Return of the Mac

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I remember when the Big Mac index first appeared in 1986 as a visually friendly way of showing purchasing power in different countries. The whole concept was based around the idea of how much it cost to buy a Big Mac (and how long it was necessary to work in order to pay for one).

In other words the cost of living is relative to your location. It doesn’t matter if you earn very little if the things you need to buy cost very little. That is until you wish to do business overseas of course…

Click on the image to find out more. In your opinion, is this a fun and interesting way to consider broad economics or does it trivialise an important topic and ignore cultural differences?

Mac

Eight Great Thinking Maps

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Thinking Maps can be particularly useful as a means to record, remember or demonstrate.

There are 8 different models and each one can perform a specific task. For example, a Bridge Map may be employed to consider analogies and a Bubble Map for adjectives connected to a topic, whereas a Flow Map is more commonly used to explain a sequence or logical process.

You probably won’t need to use them every single day, but there may be circumstances where you find these visuals very useful. Perhaps you need to remember some data, or you might want to clarify something in your own mind. Alternatively, you could wish to provide other people with information in a way that will be easy to understand.

Do you use Thinking Maps at the moment? Which ones do you use?

Click on the image below to read more about the 8 different types.

Pitching with Pictures

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The aim of your presentation is probably not to show how clever you are. It is also probably not to show how stupid the audience is. Your goal is more likely to be to communicate clearly in a way that the listeners can enjoy, understand and remember.

An infographic is there to represent data visually. It is there to help your target audience understand. If you have complex information in a presentation, why not consider using an infographic? The people listening will appreciate this and if they really need to have every single detail, then provide a handout at the end of your talk.

Click on the image below for some really well-designed infographics. You do not have to create images of this standard, but think carefully before boring your audience to death with long lists of facts and figures on a PowerPoint slide…

Space: The Final Frontier

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There is an internet map that consists of plotting over 350,000 websites, as if they are stars or planets, with website traffic determining the relative size of each one.

The result is stunning and I recommend you click on the image below to see this map for yourself. Let me know what you think!

By the way, have you seen the images sent back to Earth from NASA’s Curiosity Rover? What do you think about a country spending money on space exploration? Is it essential in our quest for knowledge and possibly our long-term survival? Or is it wasting money that could be used to help with more immediate problems?

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The Flipside

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I approach this topic from a position of interest rather than a position of knowledge. The flipped classroom keeps cropping up and while it is not a brand new concept, it is a relatively modernist approach (c.2007).

Using class time to be interactive, collaborative and productive has to be a good thing, hasn’t it? Of course there is the question of teachers being ready, willing and able to create these videos (it doesn’t all have to be about videos though)…. However, that doesn’t mean it can’t be done and as the saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Over time a library of informative videos could be created, and yes even shared, that will enable students to maximise their use of time with their teachers and peers.

This will require commitment and it will require courage, but it can be done. What do you think? Is it a model you have already put into practice and has it been successful? Can it work effectively in the world of EFL?

Click on the image to listen to a trailblazer in this field – Salman Khan.

Don’t Panic!

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OK, so they liked your CV and  you have got a job interview. You want this new role, so that is good news, but you are worried about making mistakes and not being chosen.

Keep calm and prepare, prepare, prepare. Learn about the company, think about the job description, consider likely questions you might be asked (and your answers), look at some of the trickier questions often posed (and think of your answers). Then plan your journey to ensure punctuality on the day and decide what you will wear to create a good first impression.

If you know about the company you are applying to join, understand what they are expecting from you and have mentally prepared some answers, then you are in a stronger position than many of the other candidates. Now dress to impress, arrive slightly early, smile and let them know you are the one.

Click on the image below for a very good infographic on the topic and more top tips to help you control your nerves, prepare and succeed.

What are your recommendations for being successful in interviews?

Take a walk on the mild side

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How do you get to work or university each day? Do you drive or take the bus?Perhaps you commute by train or cycle from home?

Is it possible for you to do the journey on foot? And if so, do you?

Walking gives you the opportunity to do some exercise, notice the world around you and simply have some decent, calm thinking time. There are many benefits and you can click on the image below to view a very good infographic on the topic.

What do you think – could you change your daily transport routine?

To err is human…

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Being understood is most important and making mistakes is an essential part of learning. Do not worry about the occasional error in your English – we all make them and it really doesn’t matter.

However, there are some gaffes that happen more often than they should…

Click on the image to see an excellent infographic on this topic. Do you ever make any of these slip ups?