Infographic Development by Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Students: An Innovative Technology-Based Approach to Public Health Education.

Information graphics, otherwise known as infographics, use words and visuals to educate viewers (Toth, 2013). When well designed, infographics are catchy, colorful, and clear and serve as communication vehicles by fostering data visualization. These visuals can be shared in person or disseminated electronically via links, email, and other means. Infographics are used to communicate a broad array of messages covering all imaginable topics, including demographics, socioeconomics, and the many aspects of health and wellness. Decorative fonts, diagrams, pie charts, and other such visualizations are used for illustration, thereby creating a visual narrative (Matrix, 2014).Infographics offer significant opportunity to "use health communication strategies and health information technology (IT) to improve population health outcomes and health care quality, and to achieve health equity" (Healthypeople.gov, 2014). They are often created by graphic designers and marketing and communication experts, but because of the availability of easy-to-use templates, they are increasingly being developed by health care providers to communicate messages that influence public health.Saurbier (2014) speaks to the potential value of infographic assignments within postsecondary education: "The addition of problem-based, project-centric, open-ended learning environments may enable the simultaneous development of not only the disciplinary competence but also the higher order skills necessary for workplace success" (p. 13). Skiba (2014) speaks about the significance of data visualization and challenges educators to provide opportunities for students to present knowledge visually, to engage consumers in their own health care and decision-making.In one thriving Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program (ABSN), which uses blended learning, an infographic assignment is incorporated into a three-credit graduate-level online Health, Information, and Technology Course. The assignment ties directly to a course learning objective that seeks to teach students to "utilize technology to effectively communicate in the exchange of information that supports the provision of quality health care" (George Washington University School of Nursing, 2014). The assignment deliverable is a public health infographic, well informed by evidence, that can have a positive impact on population health.THE INFOGRAPHIC ASSIGNMENTThe multifaceted experiential learning assignment requires students to conduct database and Internet research on a significant public health challenge, national or regional, and its epidemiological impact. Students explore the use of various infographic tools to gain technology proficiency and incorporate information, data, and evidence to create a public health message appropriate for a targeted audience. The graded project is well suited for ABSN students who bring diverse backgrounds and perspectives to the nursing program. Students are energetic and driven, with the potential to add richness and interprofessional insights to health care and patient education. By affording students latitude to innovate, final products are highly creative.Student learning objectives and assignment guidelines are provided in Table 1. Along with the infographic, students must develop a one-page project summary with detailed references.A mandatory synchronous Blackboard Collaborate session was developed collaboratively by an interprofessional team - a nurse educator and a librarian/information specialist based In the health sciences library. The "live" educational session demonstrates the basics of building an infographic, covers legal considerations related to the use of images and other content, and helps students gain the understanding and confidence needed to complete the project. Students may ask questions during the session.Infographic development tools are demonstrated and discussed. Students may use these tools or tools they discover on their own. …