Is Barack Obama the President

I believe that this infographic is mistitled. I believe that it should be titled Is Barack Obama the Next President. But in light of the presidential debate this evening, I thought an election related infographic would be a good idea. This infographic does a great job of visualizing the electoral votes. It uses balloons to […]

I believe that this infographic is mistitled. I believe that it should be titled Is Barack Obama the Next President. But in light of the presidential debate this evening, I thought an election related infographic would be a good idea.

This infographic does a great job of visualizing the electoral votes. It uses balloons to show the number of electoral votes each president possesses based on then current predictions. It is also interactive, the balloons are sized based on the number of electoral votes, and you can scroll over them to see the state it represents and how strongly they are for each candidate. This would be a great method to use for other infographics based on numbers.

After the presidential debate, which focused on the economy, have you students try to push judgements aside, and get down to what was said, and create an infographic about it. Try to find several key components of the debate and find facts on what the candidates said. Romney’s campaign has been plagued with having been “too vague.” The debate did force him to be more specific on his plans. Try to find these details, of both candidates, as well as evidence based on their lives as politicians, and compare and contrast them. For instance, where and when has Romney cut spending while governor, and how has he improved education. How has Obama’s spending increases helped the country, and how has he improved education. Try to teach your students how to form opinions based on facts, and how to show these facts by using an infographic.

Blog: http://visual.ly/barack-obama-president?view=true

The Billion Bug Highway

This is very interesting and something I’ve thought about before but never had my thoughts confirmed. Apparently there are not only insects all around us on the ground, but way above our heads are millions upon millions of little bugs being carried by the wind off to new destinations. I never imagined, however, that some […]

This is very interesting and something I’ve thought about before but never had my thoughts confirmed. Apparently there are not only insects all around us on the ground, but way above our heads are millions upon millions of little bugs being carried by the wind off to new destinations. I never imagined, however, that some of these are spiders holding on to short threads of silk. Now that is pretty terrifying.

Billion Bug Highway

Real Estate Market Today

Part of teaching economics is preparing your students for being good at managing their money today, and tomorrow. Part of this is real estate. Now, according to this infographic, it is a good idea to go ahead and buy today, if you are able. Unfortunately, it is doubtful that any of your students are in […]

Part of teaching economics is preparing your students for being good at managing their money today, and tomorrow. Part of this is real estate. Now, according to this infographic, it is a good idea to go ahead and buy today, if you are able. Unfortunately, it is doubtful that any of your students are in the position to do such a thing. But it would still be a good idea to go into the basics of what is involved in purchasing a home, so that students are familiar with it when the time comes.

This infographic begins by saying that this is the best time to buy a home. The market is projected to continue a slight decline and stabilize, and then begin going back up next year. Interest rates are in the same boat. It said that interest rates should be between 4-5%. Unfortunately, most of your student’s won’t be in a position to purchase for another 10-15 years, when the market is supposed to be high again.

As well as this information, it goes into the 5 most, and least promising markets. With your students, discuss why these changes are going to occur, and why the markets are projected as such. Do a mock home buying experience as part of a mock life. Look on websites like Zillow and Realestate.com and search for properties. If anyone you know is purchasing a home, or you have recently, go through the inspection. Ask an inspector, real estate agent, and mortgage agent to come in and talk about what needs to be considered. Ask your students to create wish lists, and see where they break with their lists. And finally, see what the final outcome is. Did they get the home of their dreams? Did they get a fixer upper? Most importantly, are they happy?

Blog: http://visual.ly/real-estate-market-today