TL-Mar-2012

=Welcome to the March Technology Liaisons Meeting=

This months topic is Infographics.
//**Information graphics** or **infographics** are graphic visual representations of [|information], [|data] or [|knowledge]. These [|graphics] present complex information quickly and clearly,[|[1]] such as in [|signs], [|maps], [|journalism], [|technical writing], and [|education]. With an information graphic, [|computer scientists], [|mathematicians], and [|statisticians] develop and communicate concepts using a single symbol to process information.//

//Today information graphics surround us in the media, in published works both pedestrian and scientific, in road signs and manuals. They illustrate information that would be unwieldy in text form, and act as a visual shorthand for everyday concepts such as [|stop] and [|go].// //In newspapers, infographics are commonly used to show the weather, as well as maps and site plans for newsworthy events, and graphs for statistical data. Some books are almost entirely made up of information graphics, such as [|David Macaulay]'s [|The Way Things Work]. Although they are used heavily in children's books, they are also common in scientific literature, where they illustrate physical systems, especially ones that cannot be photographed (such as cutaway diagrams, astronomical diagrams, and images of microscopic or sub-microscopic systems).// //Modern maps, especially route maps for transit systems, use infographic techniques to integrate a variety of information, such as the conceptual layout of the transit network, transfer points, and local landmarks.// //[|Traffic signs] and other public signs rely heavily on information graphics, such as stylized human figures (the ubiquitous [|stick figure]), icons and emblems to represent concepts such as yield, caution, and the direction of traffic. Public places such as transit terminals usually have some sort of integrated "signage system" with standardized icons and stylized maps.// //Technical manuals make extensive use of diagrams and also common icons to highlight warnings, dangers, and standards certifications.// **-Wikipedia**

Agenda
> ======** Vendor Presentation **====== > ======**Icebreaker**======
 * ==** Introductions and Round Table Discussions **==
 * ===Donald Carney of Fluidity Software.===
 * ==Creating QR Codes for you website or business card.==
 * Using QR Codes to Create WebQuest
 * ==**Lunch**==
 * ==**Vendor Presentation**==
 * Fran Bellows from Archipelago Learning
 * Study Island-Study Island� affords student mastery of NYS and Common Core objectives in all subjects that NYS assesses Grades 3-12. Easy to use, real time reporting makes differentiating instruction a matter of checking off specific content and the students are ready to go. Accessible from any Internet enabled device.
 * ESL ReadingSmart - provides students and teachers individualized, content-based instruction designed to develop English language proficiency for grades 4-12.
 * Reading Eggs - Reading Eggs is a web-based literacy program that enables pre-K through 6th grade students to become confident, motivated, and fluent readers. Highly engaging with 600 eBooks, interactive animations, activities rewards, and games. Strong supplement to any reading program with complete lesson support for teachers.
 * Free trials and on-site demos, webinars


 * ==**Infographics within content areas**==
 * ==**Survey**==

=Resources=

@http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QR_code
 * QR Code** — abbreviated from **Quick Response Code** — is the trademark for a type of [|matrix barcode] (or two-dimensional code) first designed for the automotive industry. More recently, the system has become popular outside of the industry due to its fast readability and large storage capacity compared to traditional [|UPC barcodes]. The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The information encoded can be made up of four standardized kinds ("modes") of data (numeric, alphanumeric, byte/binary, [|Kanji]), or by supported extensions virtually any kind of data.[|[][|1][|]]


 * **QR Code Generator**
 * **QR Code Readers**
 * **Apple Devices**
 * **Android, Blackberry, and other Devices**

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 * **Info-graphs**
 * What are they?

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US Debt Infographic

//from makeuseof.com// In the information-based world of the Internet, data and analysis on almost any subject needs to be both compelling and visually attractive for knowledgeable, savvy readers. That is why information graphics—popularly called, **infographics**—are the coolest and most eye-catching ways to present research studies and other statistical data. Instead of long boring paragraphs and Excel charts, infographics make the best use of colorful graphic design techniques and illustrations to convey information often about controversial and insightful topics. We have published [|several articles]about infographics, as well as provided a list of [|awesome tools for creating them]. But if you are an avid infographics reader like I am, you may have found it difficult to view presentations on your computer screen.

The Anatomy Of An Infographic: 5 Steps To Create A Powerful Visual
====Information is very powerful but for the most bit it is bland and unimaginative. Infographics channel information in a visually pleasing, instantly understandable manner, making it not only powerful, but extremely beautiful. Once used predominantly to make maps more approachable, scientific charts less daunting and as key learning tools for children, inforgraphics have now permeated all aspects of the modern world.====

=The Inner Structure of Infographics=

Every day Internet users read a lot of data, look through news-websites and blogs, which are really overwhelmed with up to date information. It’s hard to remember everything important and keep in mind all facts we’ve learned during a day, sometimes some really valuable content is missed. So, how to convey effectively the main message to the readers and how to make them draw attention to your post? As human beings remember better the visual representation of information, than the whole sheet of complete text, the answer is much simpler you might think. **Infographic is the best method to present a rich amount of data, explain quickly your main thoughts and show clearly a research.** Any word won’t slip from the audience, all significant data will be showcased on the eye-catching graphics. As a visual content helps to demonstrate efficiently engaging graphic data and helps to motivate readers to plunge into the text to find out more, infographics have to be the major part of your content business.

=[|Tagxedo]= [|__Tagxedo__] turns words -- famous speeches, news articles, slogans and themes, even your love letters -- into a visually stunning word cloud, words individually sized appropriately to highlight the frequencies of occurrence within the body of text.

media type="custom" key="12413798" re.vu

The cure for the common resume
Modern technology makes it possible to design a dynamic, interactive, and visual resume that is significantly more effective at representing the whole person than a common resume alone. This is the core concept of re.vu (pronounced "review") - a radical redesign of the traditional resume. Re.vu makes it simple and fast for anyone to create an original and compelling visual resume. The rich combination of widgets, themes, and personalized settings makes each re.vu unique and memorable.
 * A visual resume**

It’s not just a visual resume, it’s a better visual resume available to everyone, free of charge. And yes, there is a place to link to your traditional resume too. Example

Infogr.am Build Interactive Charts using Imported Excel Data and easily embed them into your own space. Infographic creation is coming soon. This is sure to be a hot site!


 * Many Eyes**
 * Many Eyes IBM Research tool allows users to create a visualization in easy three steps.** Choose the data that you would like to present, then select the visualization method and after that customize and publish an outcome. You can use the existing data sets or upload your own information. The gold of this tool is that you are able to create everything you want, from a World map to a diagram of selling ice-cream.


 * Stat Planet**
 * Stat Planet allows infigraphics addict to create interactive maps established on different facts**, such as: Facebook, education, commerce, health care and much more. It can be utilized within you browser or freely downloaded. Do you want to make striking visualizations from simple Flash maps to advanced informational graphics? Just try Stat Planet.

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