The language of visual design offers a powerful way to engage students. In this instructor-led KQED Media Academy course, you’ll learn to represent complex ideas, information, and data in compelling infographics and interactive maps. 

This professional development course is open to educators in all roles, subjects and grades who are looking for the skills and confidence to successfully incorporate graphic design and interactive media production into your learning environment to both engage students in learning and support critical 21st Century skill development. 

Learning Objectives: 

• Master the basics of communicating with graphics and images needed to enhance instruction and support student learning, including: 
  • How visual design fundamentals, like color choice, layout, filters and iconography work together to tell a story 
  • Ways data can be accessed and displayed visually or interactively to communicate concepts 
  • How to use different visual genres (ie: infographics, maps, digital photography, etc.) to connect with specific audiences 
• Learn how to create lesson plans for classroom projects that align with Common Core and other curriculum standards to ensure that time spent using visuals to produce graphics or interactives result in student learning you want to see 
• Develop strategies for allocating and organizing resources to best facilitate visual media projects in a classroom environment 
• Learn how to effectively assess student media 
• Understand the ways copyright law and fair use impact image-based and interactive media production and learn how to locate open content you and your students can freely use 
• Understand how a producer’s bias, intent, and production choices impact the messages communicated by graphics and image-based media 
• Learn about federal laws protecting student privacy and safety online and how to best address these issues when making and sharing projects