I decided to create a visualization using the platform called Piktochart. My decision for choosing Pictochart was influenced by the fact that it is web-based, therefore, I didn't have to download any complicated software. Also, it's designed so that users don't need to have extensive experience with graphic design, which I don't. I thought it would be a perfect fit, but after I started looking at examples I realized that there weren't a lot of math examples that used this platform. I looked at this as a challenge and created my own called "Belly of the Beast".   

I started with an engaging video that included different sharks hunting in the open ocean. This was meant to introduce the topic and get the students interested in the topic. I included other videos that were from National Geographic  and YouTube that furthered students background knowledge on sharks and introduced the historic Megalodon.

I choose images like the one to the left to draw students' attention to the circular shape that represents the base of the sharks figure; when we consider what the volume of each shark is. I also included pictures of different 3D figures so that students could debate and choose which they personally thought would be the best fit for estimating the volume of different sized sharks. I also inserted a diagram, that is pictured below, to remind students about their previous knowledge on volume of cylinders.




I believe that my visualization deepened my knowledge on the topic of volume and how it can be applied to real word situations. If I was reading about Volume of a shark and asked how to calculate it I would be a little puzzled and confused about how to go about such a complicated figure. With the visualization, it was easy to depict a shape I thought best fit, and use my knowledge of that shape to calculate the approximate volume. In this case it also allows students to choose different shapes that they think best fit. Depending upon which they choose they can use their own reasoning and mathematical language to explain why they chose differently or similarly to others. I also included a table of an example so that students could look at it if they were stuck or confused and needed guidance.

My experience with using Piktochart has changed my opinion on using visualization as a vehicle for learning. Initially, I thought that it wouldn't be very useful in a mathematics classroom because their would be many uses. After making one myself I think the opposite. I think that these and many other platforms can be used to make mathematic situations more interesting and exciting. For many students mathematics is "boring" and "useless" in everyday life, so I think that the use of these visualization can boost morale in the classroom and be a tool for students when they are at home and reading the text isn't working.