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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal – Vol. 10, No. 6
Publication Date: June 25, 2023
DOI:10.14738/assrj.106.14988.
Sobhana, N. P. (2023). Harnessing the Power of Infographics in Education. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 10(6).
489-506.
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
Harnessing the Power of Infographics in Education
Sobhana, Nandyal Panduranga
Department of English, Samtah University College,
Jazan University, Jizan, KSA
ABSTRACT
Infographics are visual representations of knowledge or data meant to present
complex information quickly and clearly. They use pictures, diagrams, maps, charts,
graphs, and statistics to present information. They often prove effective in
educational contexts as they use imagery to highlight, explain, or enhance text- based information. They capture attention, convey information, and encourage
data retention among learners. This study was an ardent effort towards using static
infographics in English linguistic contexts to know the students’ perceptions and
attitude as infographics is still a new trend in education. The sample comprised 70
female undergraduate students of the Department of English, Samtah University
College, Jazan University. A structured questionnaire was adapted to meet the
requirements of the study. The results revealed that using infographics as a
teaching strategy motivates students to become active participants in the classes to
comprehend the relationship between the graphics and data. Using infographics as
a learning strategy inspires students to learn from their peers and as an assessment
tool, drives them to introspect themselves to improve their oral
presentations/assignments/course projects. The students develop critical
thinking, analytical ability, logical reasoning, collaborative learning, and
information analysis. Summing up this study, it is recommended that university
students should enhance digital awareness and willingness to use infographics in
learning contexts. It is suggested that if the teachers support, facilitate, and
encourage the Saudi students to use infographics they would become autonomous
learners and be successful in their academic endeavours.
Keywords: Infographics, Perceptions, Attitude, Autonomy, Education.
INTRODUCTION
Joern, L (2018) states that “digital age” is the period in which change
is through digitalization and digital transformation has progressed so far that digital
technologies have a formative influence on people’s lives. The 21st century is referred as the
“digital age”. In this digital age the ways in which information is presented and accessed have
changed. Using technology has gained momentum to convey information visually to attract the
attention of different kinds of audience be it whether business, marketing, media, and
education. Ozdamli and Ozdal, (2018) feel that infographics won popularity in the education
field. Hassan (2016) opines that they present a substantial amount of information in a fluent
and easy-to-comprehend format. They are effective in enhancing the success of students in
school when used as alternatives to traditional texts. Infographics are used as a powerful tool
to make people understand information through the use of visual data, charts, graphs, statistics,
maps, diagrams, and pictures. With the proper use of color and proportion, information can be
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transformed into memorable and attention-grabbing graphics. Davidson et al., (2014), Ismaeel
& Al Mulhim, (2019a) aver that this led to call for new methods of teaching and learning
strategies that are more learner-centred in education. In the 21st century classrooms, teachers
are facilitators of students learning and creators of productive classroom environments, in
which students should develop the skills for present and also future. The 21st century teachers
should instil creativity among students, enable them to maximize their potential of formal and
informal learning experiences and facilitate learning in multiple modalities. So, the teachers
need to find varied ways to present content to facilitate information processing among the
students and stimulate them to actively participate in the teaching and learning process.
Infographics are visual representations of information/data that are systematically organized
to explain specific topics or present complex information clearly, quickly, and visually in an
interesting way which makes them one of the ideal tools to be used in the classrooms to capture
the individuals’ minds. Shaltout & Fatani, (2017) opine that static infographics combine images
and texts to represent concepts in visuals, such as maps, charts, and graphics. The static
infographics serve as fixed resources, as they do not require interaction from users. The
interactive infographics depend on the readers who are required to give user input by watching
videos, selecting visual elements, or selecting answers.
Research Significance
With the advance of the internet and changing technology, teachers are finding it difficult to
find effective systems to manage their classrooms. The emphasis nowadays is on the effective
use of technology in order to create new learning opportunities and nurture students’
achievements. Infographics is a tool in the 21st century to captivate learners listening attention
span, as classroom teaching is a potential challenge for effective teaching. One of the most
significant advantages of using infographics is that it enhances knowledge retention and recall.
People remember visual charts, images, and other infographic elements more effectively than
text-based content. Anne Trafton (2014) states that neuroscientists from MIT found that the
brain can process an entire image in about 13 milliseconds, making visuals an ideal learning aid
to boost comprehension and retention among the students. Generally, teachers use
infographics to illustrate data, present statistics, facts and figures visually using charts, graphs,
simplify a complex subject, explain difficult concepts with the help of illustrations and visual
cues.
Purpose of the Study
Infographics can be used in a classroom to brainstorm, share data, make comparisons, explain
concepts, present processes, and provide more information other than the textbook.
Implementing infographics in teaching, enables meaningful learning faster and transferring
knowledge to other contexts. Infographics use both images and text in a visual format to explain
difficult and different concepts. English teachers can create and use them to help students
understand complex linguistic concepts effectively. Using infographics in teaching and learning
contexts such as vocabulary, grammar, productive skills, and functions of language helps
English students to communicate easily and make oral presentations effectively. Therefore, this
study is to ascertain the impact of static infographics as a teaching, learning and assessment
tool on female undergraduate students to know students’ perceptions, their attitude towards
using infographics in teaching, learning and assessment process and to motivate them to use
infographics in their assignments/course projects.
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Sobhana, N. P. (2023). Harnessing the Power of Infographics in Education. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 10(6). 489-506.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/assrj.106.14988
Research Questions
1. What are the students’ perceptions towards using infographics in teaching and learning
process?
2. What is the students’ attitude towards using infographics in teaching and learning
process?
Limitations of the Study
The current study is limited to:
1. use static infographics and not interactive infographics.
2. the female undergraduate students in the Department of English, Samtah University
College, Jazan University during the academic year 2022-2023.
METHODOLOGY
Descriptive and prescriptive methods of quantitative research was used to examine the
students’ perceptions and their attitude towards using infographics in teaching, learning and
assessment processes. The students were also motivated to use infographics in their
assignments/course projects.
Sample of the Study
The sample constituted 70 female undergraduate students of the Department of English,
Samtah University College, Jazan University. The researchers made use of quota sampling which
required the representative individuals who were between the ages of 25-30.
Data Gathering Instrument
The data gathering instrument was an online survey questionnaire. It was designed to know the
students’ perceptions on infographics. It consisted of 6 question items related to infographics
on a 5-point scale as shown in the Results section. Attitude is a point of view or feeling among
the students on the different ways of using infographics in the teaching and learning process.
The questionnaire also consisted of 5 question items related to attitude on a 5-point scale as
shown in the Results section. The students were asked to express their perceptions and attitude
towards using infographics in the teaching and learning process.
Data Collection
An online survey questionnaire has been administered to collect the data from 70 female
undergraduate students of the Department of English, Samtah University College, Jazan
University. The participants have been informed about the significance of the study. The data
collected was analyzed as shown in the Results section and the responses of the students in the
questionnaire have been reported in Table 1 and Figure 1 below.
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RESULTS
The students’ responses/perceptions in the questionnaire have been reported in Tables 1, 2 &
3 and Figures 1, 2 & 3 below.
Table 1: Students Perceptions on Infographics
Students Perceptions on Infographics Strongly
Agree
Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
Disagree
# Statements 5 4 3 2 1
1 Infographics is a collection of visuals such as
images, illustrations, graphics, and minimal
text that help to understand an overview of
a topic clearly than plain text
35 30 1 2 2
50% 42.85% 1.43% 2.86% 2.86%
92.85%
35 students (50% of the sample) strongly agree, and 30 students (42.85% of the sample) agree that
infographics are a collection of visuals. 1 student (1.43%) responded neutral, 2 students (2.86%)
disagreed, and 2 students (2.86%) strongly disagreed with the statement. An infographic is a collection
of imagery, data visualizations viz., pie charts and bar graphs, and minimal text that gives an easy-to- understand overview of a topic. Infographics don't use long sentences but show the direct point. The
students are aware of infographics as linguistic teachers are using infographics to teach linguistic
concepts.
2 Infographics use distinct, engaging visuals to
communicate information easily and quickly
32 33 2 2 1
45.71% 47.14% 2.86% 2.86% 1.43%
92.85%
32 students (45.71% of the sample) strongly agree, and 33 students (47.14% of the sample) agree that
infographics use visuals to communicate information easily and quickly. 2 students (2.86%) responded
neutral, 2 students (2.86%) disagreed, and 1 student (1.43%) strongly disagreed with the statement.
Infographics is a visual representation of information or data and is easy to understand. The students
are aware that infographics are visuals.
3 Visuals in infographics help to
remember/retain the information for a
longer time
30 35 2 2 1
42.85% 50% 2.86% 2.86% 1.43%
92.85%
30 students (42.85% of the sample) strongly agree, and 35 students (50% of the sample) agree that
using infographics in teaching helps them to retain information. 2 students (2.86%) responded neutral,
2 students (2.86%) disagreed, and 1 student (1.43%) strongly disagreed with the statement. Visual
data helps to memorise the information. The use of imagery in infographics can aid not only
comprehension and aesthetic appeal, but also in forming visual memories, thus reinforcing the
process of memory recall.
4 Infographics help to develop critical thinking
skills
25 40 3 1 1
35.71% 57.14% 4.29% 1.43% 1.43%
92.85%
25 students (35.71% of the sample) strongly agree, and 40 students (57.14% of the sample) agree that
using infographics in teaching helps them to develop critical thinking skills. 3 students (4.29%)
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Sobhana, N. P. (2023). Harnessing the Power of Infographics in Education. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 10(6). 489-506.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/assrj.106.14988
responded neutral, 1 student (1.43%) disagreed, and 1 student (1.43%) strongly disagreed with the
statement. Creating infographics involves higher level thinking skills to teachers for determining the
essential content for inclusion in the limited space of an infographic, as students must analyse and
synthesize multiple pieces of information, Today, teachers are beginning to fully embrace visual
learning as a way to help students incorporate critical thinking into every facet of their education.
Visual learning has grown exponentially, as technology has improved, and access has increased. This
makes it easier for teachers and students alike to create, use visuals to show, share, and interpret
information in creative ways.
5 Infographics are used in teaching linguistic
courses
35 30 3 1 1
50% 42.85% 4.29% 1.43% 1.43%
92.85%
35 students (50% of the sample) strongly agree, and 30 students (42.85% of the sample) agree that
infographics are being used to teach linguistic concepts. 3 students (4.29%) responded neutral, 1
student (1.43%) disagreed, and 1 student (1.43%) strongly disagreed with the statement.
Overall, infographics are useful tools in the world language classrooms and can lead to multiple
opportunities for students to advance their language proficiency and to broaden their cultural
knowledge. Infographics are visually appealing, culturally rich, and allow the teacher to differentiate
tasks with more ease. Linguistic teachers are using infographics to teach linguistic concepts.
6 Infographics help to do project assignments
in an effective way
31 34 3 1 1
44.28% 48.57% 4.29% 1.43% 1.43%
92.85%
31 students (44.28% of the sample) strongly agree, and 34 students (48.57% of the sample) agree that
infographics in teaching helps them to do their course projects effectively. 3 students (4.29%)
responded neutral, 1 student (1.43%) disagreed, and 1 student (1.43%) strongly disagreed with the
statement. Infographics can encourage students to let their creative side come out by giving them a
platform to design and create visual representations of information. Creating infographics allows them
to express themselves in innovative and exciting ways. This can be a fun and rewarding way to learn
and develop novel skills among the students.
Figure 1 - Students Perceptions on Infographics
50%
45.71% 42.85%
35.71%
50% 42.85% 44.28 47.14% 50%
57.14%
42.85% 48.57%
92.85% 92.85% 92.85% 92.85% 92.85% 92.85%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Students Perceptions on Infographics
Strongly Agree Agree Total