Infographic: Travel and the "Instagram Effect"

For much of the past decade, many have complained that social media, specifically Instagram, has ruined the authenticity of travel. Specifically, the so-called "Instagram Effect" is said to encourage everything from overrun tourist sites to an array of cliched photos. Additionally, Instagram's "influencers" are blamed for making travel more about capturing that perfect selfie than genuinely immersing oneself in a new culture. For this assignment, you will utilize an infographic to illustrate the "Instagram Effect" on travel. 

Infographics are most easily utilized in PowerPoint (or a comparable program, such as Canva). Additionally, if you are experienced in them, you may also use Photoshop or Illustrator, though it is by no means required. Keep in mind, this assignment will be delivered electronically.

A well-executed infographic will:

• Have a title that encapsulates travel and the "Instagram Effect"
• Have a design dictated by the topic
• Visually translate perspectives and facts in a clear and enlightening manner
• Stay within the parameters of the topic

You may choose your evidence from the articles below and/or from your own research:

• "How Instagram Has Transformed How People Choose Their Next Vacation Destination" (Global News)
• "Have Instagram Influencers Ruined Travel for an Entire Generation?" (Forbes)
• "Is Instagram Ruining Travel? The Short Answer is It’s a Bit Hysterical" (Guardian)
• "The 'Instagram Effect' is Driving Too Many Tourists to Some Destinations (NBC News)
  
• "Instagram Influencers Ruined Travel. Can These Influencers Fix It?" (Mashable)
• "My Friend's Obsession with Getting Perfect Instagram Photos Ruined Our Vacation" (MSN) 

Required:

• Works cited 

Due: Thu 5.7 (via Canvas)

Week 15: Chile - Tue 4.28/Thu 4.30

Calbuco Volcano, Los Lagos

Notes:

• This amended schedule is subject to change pending the situation with Covid-19—see this page for the most up-to-date information
• Weekly Zoom meetings will happen Tuesdays from 9:00-10:00 a.m.
• From this point on, all work must be submitted electronically via Canvas
• Multimedia Presentations should be should be completed by their original dates and submitted via Canvas

Week 15: Chile - Tue 4.28/Thu 4.30
Zoom Meeting: Tue from 9:00-10:00 a.m.(ID: 977-6297-5871/ PW: 613238)
Coursework: PPT—“The Self-Reflection Essay and ePortfolio: A How-To”

Upcoming:

Week 16: France - Tue 5.5/Thu 5/7
Zoom Meeting: Tue from 9:00-10:00 a.m.(ID: 977-6297-5871/ PW: 613238)
Due: INFOGRAPHIC (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS)

Final Exam Meeting Times:

Sec. 2-
Week 17: Chile - Fri 5.15
Zoom Meeting: Fri 5.15 @ 8:30 a.m. (Meeting ID: TBA)
Due: ENGLISH DEPARTMENT ASSESSMENT (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 5 P.M.)

Sec. 5-
Week 18: The United Arab Emirates - Tue 5.19
Zoom Meeting: Tue 5.19 @ 8:30 a.m. (Meeting ID: TBA)
Due: ENGLISH DEPARTMENT ASSESSMENT (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 5 P.M.)

Week 14: Egypt - Tue 4.21/Thu 4.23

The Great Sand Sea, Siwa

Notes:

• This amended schedule:

• Is subject to change pending the situation with Covid-19—see this page for the most up-to-date information
• Takes into account that we will NOT be resuming face-to-face class meetings for the remainder to semester

• Weekly Zoom meetings will happen Tuesdays from 6-7 p.m.
• From this point on, all work must be submitted electronically via Canvas
• Multimedia Presentations should be should be completed by their original dates and submitted via Canvas
• All the week’s required materials (e.g. PowerPoints) will be emailed to you on Sundays
• eReader (eR) articles will remain on Eauzone

Week 14: Egypt - Tue 4.21/Thu 4.23
Zoom Meeting: Tue 4.21 from 6-7 p.m. (Meeting ID: 531 717 479)
Read: eR—"How Instagram Has Transformed How People Choose Their Next Vacation Destination” (Global News), “Have Instagram Influencers Ruined Travel for an Entire Generation?” (Forbes), “Instagram Has Ruined the Joy of Travelling” (Refinery29), “Is Instagram Ruining Travel? The Short Answer is It’s a Bit Hysterical” (Guardian), “Instagram Influencers Ruined Travel. Can These Influencers Fix It?” (Mashable)
Coursework: PPT—“Infographics 101”
Due: REFLECTION 4 (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS)

Upcoming:

Week 15: Chile - Tue 4.28/Thu 4.30
Zoom Meeting: Tue 4.28 from 6-7 p.m. (Meeting ID: 531 717 479)
Coursework: PPT—“The Self-Reflection Essay and ePortfolio: A How-To”
Due: INFOGRAPHIC (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS)

Week 16: France - Tue 5.5/Thu 5/7
Zoom Meeting: Tue 5.5 from 6-7 p.m. (Meeting ID: 531 717 479)
Due: REFLECTION 5 (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS)

Final Exam Meeting Times:

Sec. 2-
Week 17: Chile - Fri 5.15
Zoom Meeting: Fri 5.15 @ 8:30 a.m. (Meeting ID: TBA)
Due: ENGLISH DEPARTMENT ASSESSMENT (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 5 P.M.)

Sec. 5-
Week 18: The United Arab Emirates - Tue 5.19
Zoom Meeting: Tue 5.19 @ 8:30 a.m. (Meeting ID: TBA)
Due: ENGLISH DEPARTMENT ASSESSMENT (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 5 P.M.)

Reflection 4: I Can Go Anywhere I Want—On the Virtures of Virtual Traveling

Obviously, due to Covid-19, the world is a pretty grim place at the moment. And while we might yearn for the opportunity to again travel, no one in their right mind is setting out to explore an exotic locale. But thanks to technology, we have the opportunity to travel to virtually any corner of the planet right now. From YouTube to VR, we have a number of ways to still explore the beaches of Hawaii or the museums of Paris. For this reflection, you are to take a virtual vacation somewhere around the world. Pick an international locale, then via the Internet, immerse yourself in that place as much as possible. You might tour a city from above, explore an ancient site, or scout out the next travel hot spot. Choose at least two activities for your virtual vacation.

Choose at least two of the following to include in your discussion:

• "Travel to These 31 Dreamy Destinations While You Lounge on Your Couch" (Buzzfeed)
• "How to Take a Virtual Vacation" (Lifehacker)
• "Thirty Vacations You Can Take From Home" (SmarterTravel)
• "Bored of Life Indoors? Take a iVrtual Vacation to the Photogenic Faroe Islands" (CNET)
• "Six Virtual Vacations You Can Take For Free to Satisfy Your Wanderlust" (Elite Daily)
• "Twelve Virtual Vacations You Can Take Right Now From the Comfort of Your Own Home" (PopSugar)

Required:

• MLA Style
• Approximately 1.5 pages
• Works cited 

Due: Tue 4.21

Week 13: Italy - Tue 4.14/Thu 4.16

The Ponte Vecchio, Florence

Notes:

• This amended schedule:

• Is subject to change pending the situation with Covid-19—see this page for the most up-to-date information
• Takes into account that we will NOT be resuming face-to-face class meetings for the remainder to semester

• Weekly Zoom meetings will happen Tuesdays from 6-7 p.m.
• From this point on, all work must be submitted electronically via Canvas
• Multimedia Presentations should be should be completed by their original dates and submitted via Canvas
• All the week’s required materials (e.g. PowerPoints) will be emailed to you on Sundays
• eReader (eR) articles will remain on Eauzone

Week 13: Italy - Tue 4.14/Thu 4.16
Zoom Meeting: Tue 4.14 from 6-7 p.m. (Meeting ID: 531 717 479)
Read: eR—“The 100 Best Infographics” (Creative Bloq), “10 Tips for Designing Better Infographics” (DotDash), “12 Warning Signs that Your Infographic Sucks” (Visme)
Due: EXPOSITORY (SEE ASSIGNMENT FOR ANNOTATION INSTRUCTIONS; SUBMIT VIA CANVAS)

Upcoming:

Week 14: Egypt - Tue 4.21/Thu 4.23
Zoom Meeting: Tue 4.21 from 6-7 p.m. (Meeting ID: 531 717 479)
Read: eR—"How Instagram Has Transformed How People Choose Their Next Vacation Destination” (Global News), “Have Instagram Influencers Ruined Travel for an Entire Generation?” (Forbes), “Instagram Has Ruined the Joy of Travelling” (Refinery29), “Is Instagram Ruining Travel? The Short Answer is It’s a Bit Hysterical” (Guardian), “Instagram Influencers Ruined Travel. Can These Influencers Fix It?” (Mashable)
Coursework: PPT—“Infographics 101”
Due: REFLECTION 4 (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS)

Week 15: Chile - Tue 4.28/Thu 4.30
Zoom Meeting: Tue 4.28 from 6-7 p.m. (Meeting ID: 531 717 479)
Coursework: PPT—“The Self-Reflection Essay and ePortfolio: A How-To”
Due: INFOGRAPHIC (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS)

Week 16: France - Tue 5.5/Thu 5/7
Zoom Meeting: Tue 5.5 from 6-7 p.m. (Meeting ID: 531 717 479)
Due: REFLECTION 5 (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS)

Final Exam Meeting Times:

Sec. 2-
Week 17: Chile - Fri 5.15
Zoom Meeting: Fri 5.15 @ 8:30 a.m. (Meeting ID: TBA)
Due: ENGLISH DEPARTMENT ASSESSMENT (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 5 P.M.)

Sec. 5-
Week 18: The United Arab Emirates - Tue 5.19
Zoom Meeting: Tue 5.19 @ 8:30 a.m. (Meeting ID: TBA)
Due: ENGLISH DEPARTMENT ASSESSMENT (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 5 P.M.)

Expository: The Art of Travel

In a concise expository essay, explore the meaning of ONE of the following three Alain de Botton quotations:

1. “We can see beauty well enough just by opening our eyes, but how long this beauty will survive in memory depends on how intentionally we have apprehended it.” 
2. “The pleasure we derive from journeys is perhaps dependent more on the mindset with which we travel than on the destination we travel to.” 
3. “What we find exotic abroad may be what we hunger for in vain at home.” 

Use evidence from The Art of Travel to support your thesis.

Required:

• MLA Style
• 500-750 words
• Works cited

Due:  Thu 4.16 (via Canvas)

Week 12: The United States - Tue 4.7/Thu 4.9

Chicago, Illinois

Notes:

• This amended schedule:

• Is subject to change pending the situation with Covid-19—see this page for the most up-to-date information
• Takes into account that we will NOT be resuming face-to-face class meetings for the remainder to semester

• Weekly Zoom meetings will happen Tuesdays from 6-7 p.m.
• From this point on, all work must be submitted electronically via Canvas
• Multimedia Presentations should be should be completed by their original dates and submitted via Canvas
• All the week’s required materials (e.g. PowerPoints) will be emailed to you on Sundays
• eReader (eR) articles will remain on Eauzone

Week 12: The United States - Tue 4.7/Thu 4.9
Zoom Meeting: Tue 4.7 from 6-7 p.m. (Meeting ID: 531 717 479)

Upcoming:

Week 13: Italy - Tue 4.14 (No class)/Thu 4.16
Zoom Meeting: Tue 4.14 from 6-7 p.m. (Meeting ID: 531 717 479)
Read: eR—“The 100 Best Infographics” (Creative Bloq), “10 Tips for Designing Better Infographics” (DotDash), “12 Warning Signs that Your Infographic Sucks” (Visme)
Due: EXPOSITORY (SEE ASSIGNMENT FOR ANNOTATION INSTRUCTIONS; SUBMIT VIA CANVAS)

Week 14: Egypt - Tue 4.21/Thu 4.23
Zoom Meeting: Tue 4.21 from 6-7 p.m. (Meeting ID: 531 717 479)
Read: eR—"How Instagram Has Transformed How People Choose Their Next Vacation Destination” (Global News), “Have Instagram Influencers Ruined Travel for an Entire Generation?” (Forbes), “Instagram Has Ruined the Joy of Travelling” (Refinery29), “Is Instagram Ruining Travel? The Short Answer is It’s a Bit Hysterical” (Guardian), “Instagram Influencers Ruined Travel. Can These Influencers Fix It?” (Mashable)
Coursework: PPT—“Infographics 101”
Due: REFLECTION 4 (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS)

Week 15: Chile - Tue 4.28/Thu 4.30
Zoom Meeting: Tue 4.28 from 6-7 p.m. (Meeting ID: 531 717 479)
Coursework: PPT—“The Self-Reflection Essay and ePortfolio: A How-To”
Due: INFOGRAPHIC (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS)

Week 16: France - Tue 5.5/Thu 5/7
Zoom Meeting: Tue 5.5 from 6-7 p.m. (Meeting ID: 531 717 479)
Due: REFLECTION 5 (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS)

Final Exam Meeting Times:

Sec. 2-
Week 17: Chile - Fri 5.15
Zoom Meeting: Fri 5.15 @ 8:30 a.m. (Meeting ID: TBA)
Due: ENGLISH DEPARTMENT ASSESSMENT (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 5 P.M.)

Sec. 5-
Week 18: The United Arab Emirates - Tue 5.19
Zoom Meeting: Tue 5.19 @ 8:30 a.m. (Meeting ID: TBA)
Due: ENGLISH DEPARTMENT ASSESSMENT (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 5 P.M.)