Science and Technology has improved significantly over the past hundred years. However, just every action has an equal and opposite reaction; there is both a positive and negative side to these advances. In our Modern World History class, we were assigned a topic to work with in groups of four. We would explore how to present our information in this technological world where an idea can spread from place to place within a few minutes.
My group, Zach, Mind, Best, and I set out to make an info graphic about energy. Firstly, we decided to divide the work into two parts. One person would find out what makes an info graphic effective, and would explore various programs that can be used to construct an info graphic. The other three were responsible for the research, data, and statistics that we would incorporate into our info graphic. We organized the data into categories based on the dates of when a type of energy was starting to be used. For example, the discovery of fire, human labors, and animal labors were grouped together. Meanwhile, electricity, batteries, and nuclear energy combined to make another category. Due to a strong recommendation from a member of our group who explored different programs that could construct info graphics, we decided to use Piktochart. Three of the members of our group concisely wrote down important data we must know about each category and found creative photos that supported the data. We then downloaded the work and sent it to the fourth member of our group, who made the timeline, organized the graphics, and added enhancements.
Just like everybody is unique in their own way, every member of our group had different on what was important and should be included in the info graphics. We decided to let each person identify the different ideas they thought was important and why they thought so. Then after everybody had expressed their opinion, we worked collaboratively on picking the information we thought was important and vital to spread. Next, we divided the work into chunks, and set due dates. Everybody finished their task within the due date, and once everybody was done we would read over other people’s writing and give feedback. We would correct the grammar, and ask the member to add statistics, more information, be concise, or to take out unnecessary information. Everybody would then set out to correct and perfect their writing by the next class. All the members of our group, put aside their self-interest and enthusiastically did what was beneficial and to the interest of the whole group. Everybody contributed significantly to the info graphic which considering this is the first time we are making it, was something we should be proud of.
This assignment taught me much more than just about energy, but it also taught me how to make info graphics, and depict my message in a powerful and effective way by using support from images. I learned how to organize my work in a concise manner, how to use images to illustrate my data, and how to work collaboratively with my group members. I have learned that quality is much more important than quality, and that you can spread your message using a few words and a strong picture to describe what you meant. I have learnt to listen more instead of speaking and to put other people’s opinions into consideration.
As seen in my info graphic, I strongly believe energy is the “key to life and advancement”. Energy allows us to lead the busy and fast-paced lifestyle we possess today. Without oil for example, we wouldn’t have electricity and the way we transport from place to place would have to change. Over the past few hundred years, we have discovered and used various sources of energy. We started off using man power for much of our existence and learned how to control fire which allowed for warmth, protection, and food made available by using fire to cook. As development became stagnant in the 1700’s, we discovered coal which made it possible for steam power and the arrival of water pumps, train, and boilers. We then moved into an era of fossil fuels, namely oil which we now depend heavily upon. Next, we moved on to electricity and batteries, followed by nuclear energy respectively. The arrival of batteries was significant because it was a form of portable energy which was long-lasting and could be used whenever needed. We then started using renewable energy and bio fuels. What I have learned is that energy we produce is mostly consumed by the transportation sector, and that more than half of our energy goes to waste. If we start using fewer cars, and more BTS, or other forms of public transportation, we can help preserve the scarce amount of oil we have left. We also need to be more energy efficient, and start relying more on renewable energy because is benefits our environment for the betterment of our future generations.
What I felt was easiest to do in the info graphic was researching and categorizing the information into groups. What was hard was identifying the important information that people should know. We would have to go through all the unnecessary data, and write a summary about the topic and a concise and clear manner. After doing this with one or two topics, the process got much easier. Another thing my whole group and I found challenging was the design aspect. The people in our group have drastic differences in preferences which made it hard to select a design that suited everybody. However, after compromises and hearing different opinions, we worked together at different time periods of the day to construct a beautiful and well designed info graphic.
During this assignment, we were exposed and faced with a challenge of using new means of presentation. Info graphics are a different way of presentation because they have a certain flow. Info graphics are “data visualizations” that present complex information quickly, and clearly. Info graphics are usually not many words that are supported by graphs, and charts. Info graphics must be digestible to the audience, and easy to understand. Good characteristics of info graphic include: reliability, created for a reason, information presented in a way that it is easy to understand (organization), creativity (“wow” factor), and the effective us of information/data. An info graphic is a very effective way of presenting information through the use of modern technology to construct it. The reason info graphics are very popular right now is because it presents data in a very innovative way. Too much writing is boring, and since info graphics are very concise, contains supportive and creative images, and is very well organized and easy to understand, it appeals to the general public who find info graphics as a good source of information. Just like the famous proverb, “A picture is worth a thousand words”, info graphics do not contain a lot of writing, but uses its graphics to depict the message.
Overall, I really enjoyed making this info graphic and working with my peers. However, due to time constraints, our final product wasn’t as “wow” as we expected but we did the best we could with what we had. The info graphic was well organized, consisted of clear information, was supported by creative and appealing images, and had a timeline to show flow and the order of things. The info graphic includes the most important things we think everybody should know about energy. This information ranges from the history of energy, to energy efficiency, and the future. I personally feel that our info graphic is an effective means of presenting data.
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