Examining the affordances and constraints of using infographics in pre-service teacher education

Abstract

Infographics are a communication tool that can be used to share large amounts of data in a more aesthetically pleasing and understandable way. The production and consumption of infographics encourages students to develop digital literacies, twenty-first century competencies, and multimodality skills. This study investigated how four students in a pre-service education program, perceived both the affordances and constraints of the use of infographics. Using a mixed methods approach, this research investigated whether or not infographics could help teacher candidates develop digital literacies, twenty-first century competencies, and multimodality skills. Teacher candidates explored their opinions about infographics and their potential use in their teaching practice. This study proposes a new Infographic Matrix for educators to better embed infographics in their classrooms. This research aimed to lessen the gap that exists in this area of education research, offering the participants pedagogically impactful approaches to literacy education for use with their future students.