CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

A picture is worth a thousand words. Pictures aid in conveying our thought also
tends create vivid and deep impressions which effectively enhance the written word.
Previous Studies showed that most people remember just 10% of what they hear and
20% of what they read. But they remember 80% of what they see. In addition, most
people make sense of visual material much faster than other methods of learning.

The term “infographic” is derived from the words ‘information graphic,’ which
refers to pictures that merge graphic design with a collection of data to convey
messages to the audience in brevity and establish good communication with them
(Smiciklas, 2012). So, Infographics can be described as a provider of information in a
desirable way as well as to introduce tremendous amount of information with
effectively and efficiency and this happen by reducing the contents of whole
information or data. The main aspect that distinguishes infographics from other visual
media, such as photographs, is the specific practical manner that employs maps,
symbols, videos, and technical documents to deliver information in a clear and simple
manner (Babu, 2015).
Information graphics can also convert complex data to an arranged and ornamented
design, which can be modified in accordance with the preferences of users (Harrison
& Reinecke, 2015). Furthermore, infographics can be supported by relevant text to
enhance the perception of audiences(Bladon & Poulin, 2014). Infographics have been
used widely through several areas one of these areas is education, which can be
facilitated through infographic design for the benefit of students. In recent years,
modern technology has shown the trend of becoming the basis of design education in
three ways: by using networks, traditional methods, and infographics. The aesthetic
side of infographics is crucial to introduce the components of design through
interaction in a joyful manner.

An Infographic is a type of picture that blends data with design, helping

individuals and organizations concisely communicate messages for their audience. It
can be defined as a visualization of data or ideas to convey complex information to an
audience in a manner that can be quickly consumed and easily understood.
(Smiciklas, 2012, p. 3). It is a simplified usage of visual elements like imagery, charts,
and minimal text to give an easy, understandable and memorable visual representation
of any kind of information (Siricharoen, 2018, p. 59).

Infographics are increasingly popular because they can provide a great amount of
complex information succinctly, using visually appealing elements that draw attention
and facilitate retention. Today, with the development of many visualization tools in
our digital society, these tools have become much easier to use and more user-friendly
than years ago (Toth, 2013). Via various visualization tools and technology, the
learning activities carried out in the classroom environment have gone beyond the
walls of the classroom (Ozdamli et al., 2016; Smiciklas, 2012; Toth, 2013).

Here comes the role of the use of educational technology in strengthening teaching
methods and confirming their effectiveness, because the means help to improve the
level of teaching and raise students' interest in the subject and its learning. Pictures are
a very important means of clarifying and simplifying information in the curricula at
various educational levels, especially in the early stages of school education, due to
the interest and passion of students at this stage with pictures, colors, and illustrations.
Since there are about 70% of the sensory receptors present in the eyes, and that 90%
of the information transmitted to the brain is visual information. The brain's
processing of graphic information is less complicated than its processing of raw texts,
and one of the most important reasons why the brain processes graphic information
about 60,000 times faster than text data is that the brain deals with the image at once
while it deals with the text in a linear, successive manner .

The brain region in the brain consists of two hemispheres (right and left). The
right hemisphere handles coordination, colors, imagination, daydreams, dimensions,
melodies, sounds, feelings, and drawings, while the left hemisphere is responsible for
processing words, numbers, calculations, logic, analysis, arrangement, and sequential
thinking. Accordingly, the infographic can address the two sides of the brain in a
balanced manner, as it is made up of the terms information and facts, and (graphic),
which means imaging; That is, it is a representation of the data. It can be defined as
“converting textual content into graphics, shapes, and images, which helps to
understand the content and develop visual thinking skills.”
It can help link logical information and graphics and help present complex
information in an easier and faster way to understand. the brain. It can provide
important and effective educational means for students. Also, it may be one of the
most attractive means of presenting the information. And the visual elements at the
same time and thus they fall into the focus of attention where the linguistic and non-
linguistic systems converge.
According to [Castelyn and Mottart 2012], the usage of visuals in education leads
to active learning and that the instructors should use different types of visuals that
incorporate with the course content which increases the learners’performance and
motivation.
Visuality has been gaining importance in learning and teaching processes similar
to its increased importance in our daily lives. Visuals when used separately or when
used combined with writing is known to enhance learning. There is a general belief
that visuals are easier to understand when compared to writing. Along with that,
visual materials have universal acceptability when compared to written materials.
Visuals provide many opportunities to help learners grasp the content, attract the
learners’ attention, motive them, allow complex and abstract ideas to be learned
 effectively, provide interactive learning environments and make recalling
information easier.
In today’s evolving world, it’s impossible to convey information adequately
without the use of Infographic. Graphics is largely deployed in every sector of the
society ranging from the mechanical engineering, Health sector, Advertisement,
Print and Broadcast media and even in the Educational sector. People tends to prefer
information with pictures, since it makes explanation much easily.
As noted by Astelyn and Mottart (2012), the usage of visuals in education leads to
active learning and that the instructors should use different types of visuals that
incorporate with the course content which increases the learners ‘performance and
motivation.

Today, it is rare to find any piece of advertisement, flyer, newspaper, textbook or

any form of printed or online material without a picture to reinforce its message and
create quite comprehension. Hence, this study is carried out to evaluate the
effectiveness of Info graphic in presenting complex information and its impact in the
learning process within tertiary institution using University of Benin.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM.

In the past more attention was given to information, but today people focus more
on the Aesthetic or Visual element when going through materials, because it serve as
a guild and present story telling images on how a specific tasks can be carried out.
That, is why it is realized that people sought for information, which contains graphical
presentation such as pictures, motion image, Bar chart, Pie chart and other statistically
element to aid their reading and comprehension process.
 In the light of the above, the study seeks to examine the effectiveness of
Infographic in presenting complex information and its impact in the learning process
within the tertiary institution.

1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

For the purpose of this research study, the following research questions were formulated:

1. Do lecturers employ the use of infographic content and materials during lectures in
class?

2. Does the effective use and exposure of infographic materials aids learning?

3. Does infographic usage an exposure aid remembrance and recalling of various

concepts taught in class?
4. Has it usage being effective in aiding class activity?

1.4 OBJECTIVE OF STUDY

For the purpose of this research, the following we serve as the objective of this research.
1. To find out the attitude of student and their exposure to Infographic materials.
2. To find if the utilization of Infographic aids in the teaching and learning process.
3. To find out if Infographic is deployed during lectures to aid learning.
4. To investigate and determine if its usage aids remembrance and recalling of
various concept taught in class.

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

With the aid of infographic materials are student adequately carried along by aiding their
cognitive ability such as recalling and remembrance of key concept raised during the
course of teaching in class.
The significance of this study has to do with the relevance of this study. Hence, the study
will be beneficial to the following sets of individuals in the society:
1. It will be beneficial to Authors within the academic and Non – Academic sector,
and various Publishing Companies within the country enabling them to keep and
ensure adequate usage of well illustrative infographic materials and content are
utilize in explanation of concept.

2. It will also be beneficial to student aiding their recalling and remembrance ability
to concept taught and also revealing the relevant methods of infographic that can
be utilize by student.

3. It will also help lecturers to really know the importance of infographic material
utilization when recommending materials that would aid in impacting and
enhancing class activities.

4. Lastly, it would be beneficial to future researcher serving as bedrock when

carrying out similar research on related concept.

1.6 SCOPE OF STUDY

The scope of this study is limited to the students of the University of Benin; the
University of Benin was selected as the scope on the basis of hierarchy as it
happens to be one of the oldest in the State.
This study is to carried out to effectively analyze the need for effectiveness of
infographic in various tertiary institution, But with particular reference to
University of Benin, Uniben. This is with the view of finding out how the
effective the use of infographic in terms of teaching, presentation and its usage of
it other academic works in the institution aid recalling and remembrance of key
point taught in class.
1.7 DEFINITIONS OF TERMS

 Infographic : Infographic is derived from the word “ Information” and

“Graphic” which entails the use of pictures, illustration, lines, drawing, pie
chart, bar chart and other graphic element to effectively enhance informational
and relevant educational material
 Complex: A word or a group of words that are ambiguous and are not easily
understood clearly by reading or gazing through.
 Remember: Remember means the ability to keep an image or information about
something or someone previously seen or discussed about. It entails flashback
our previous activity
 Retention: Retention means the ability to retain things in mind; specifically: A
preservation of the aftereffects of experience and learning.
 Perception: Perception entails individual intuition or view about a concept or an
idea. It is the way we think and understand things using our past experience,
knowledge or intuition.
 Dense : Dense means individual whose learning process is quite slow, they
don’t understand things quite smartly or easily
 Facilitate: Facilitate means to make something easily for others to understand
with difficulties.
 Visualization: Visualization can define as the act or process of putting
information into visible form such as pictures, illustration, drawing and other
graphical means to enhance easy comprehension.
 Technology : Technology can be define as the use of various modern
equipment such as Computer , Smartphone , Public Address System, Projector
among others in class activities