Piktochart is an online tool (website and Chrome app) for creating infographics. Combining charts, graphs, text, and graphics, users can easily assemble and present information using the drag-and-drop interface. Although it's generally geared toward adults in the workplace creating business presentations, Piktochart clearly lends itself to student use.

Users choose a template, or theme, and then fill it with their own info. Using Piktochart's bank of icons, images, fonts, world maps, charts, and other design tools, organizing and sharing information can be pretty fun. Icons and images are organized by subject, including education, entertainment, people, and shapes. Once completed, each template can be saved for future editing, and the finished product can be exported as a PNG, JPEG, or PDF file.

Piktochart & the SAMR Model

Dr. Ruben Puentedura’s SAMR model offers a lens for examining how technology is adopted in a classroom. As you strive to incorporate online tools into your classroom, we encourage you to use this model as an analytic tool.

Here are some examples of how using Piktochart might fit within the SAMR model:

• Substitution: Students design an infographic on Piktochart rather than on paper.
• Augmentation: Students can easily share their infographics with a broader community.
• Modification: Students and teachers can create interactive, multimodal images that incorporate videos, maps, text, links, and graphics.
• Redefinition: Infographics can be displayed locally or shared internationally to extend conversations and discussions globally.

Here are some other websites I found that might assist you if you plan to try using infographics with your students:

• Piktochart Instructional Videos
  
• Common Sense Media Review
• Lesson Plan Ideas