Graphic Organizers
What is it?
A graphic organizer is a visual and graphic display that depicts the relationships between facts, terms, and or ideas within a learning task. Graphic organizers are also sometimes referred to as knowledge maps, concept maps, story maps, cognitive organizers, advance organizers, or concept diagrams (CAST, 2007). One of the most common and familiar examples of a graphic organizer is a flow chart; however, there are a multitude of different kinds of organizers for various subjects, learning and problem solving strategies. Each one is suited to organizing a particular type of information. The most common graphic forms:
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stars/webbing - Use to show definitions, attributes, examples, and brainstorming
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tree/mapping - Use to show classifications, groupings, attributes, comparing and contrasting, and evaluating
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chain/outlining - Use to show classifications, pedigrees, analyses, structures, attributes, examples, and brainstorming
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chart/matrix - Use to show processes, sequences, causes and effects, and chronology
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sketch – Use to show physical structures, descriptions of places, spatial relationships, concrete objects, and visual images
http://www.writedesignonline.com/organizers/ attained March 25, 2007.
What does it do?
This technology assists user’s in clarifying their ideas, organizing and analyzing information, integrating new information and thinking critically. In research studies the utilization of graphic organizers has shown positive learning outcomes in all students, including those with learning disabilities and ADHD (Gardil & Jitendra, 1999).
ADHD
Students with ADHD (Attention Deficiency and Hyperactivity Disorder) often have difficulty in organizing information, taking notes, writing and extracting meaning from text. Graphic organizers allow students to visualize a problem or topic in order to better understand it. The visual learning style of these tools can help students make meaning in concrete, picture form from subjects that may be difficult to understand or communicate. Thus, these tools can be used to enhance learning and create a foundation for learning new or difficult concepts.
Formats
Graphic organizers can come in high or low tech form from paper and chalk board to computer or handheld devices. A student can draw a network tree, put together a collage from cut outs from magazines or a teacher may print out an organizer based on subject matter such as a story web or spider map focusing on the key elements in a story. Using computers or handheld devices. students/teachers can use graphic organizers in PDF form to fill in or interact with preexisting layouts. There is also a multitude of software created expressly for creating graphic organizers, such as Microsoft Viso, Claro Concepts, Inspiration & Kidspiration to name a few.
Applications
Graphic organizers are both versatile and flexible. They may be
applied across a range of subjects at every grade level. Although
currently they are most heavily used in reading and writing, they can
easily be applied to science, math, social studies and language arts.
UDL
Graphic Organizers support the principles of the UDL framework:
assisting learners in recognizing meaningful patterns in subject areas;
providing structure for organizing, thinking and planning strategies;
and helping provide flexible options to engage in learning tasks and
execute plans of action. This technology plays upon the strength of
visual learners, students who may have difficulty making meaning of
text/audio but recognizes pictorial patterns and thus allows them a
method to express their ideas, to deconstruct difficult concepts and
organize their thoughts in meaningful ways.
Best Uses?
Graphic Organizers are most effective when these three principles are followed:
- The software is placed in the hands of the students
- Emphasis is placed on finding the relationships between concepts
- The teacher asks good questions (e.g., analyze, justify, rank, classify, diagnose, reconstruct, etc.)
What’s in this website?
This website provides information on how graphic organizers can assist learners by providing flexible methods for varied learning styles, with specific focus on visual learners and students with ADHD to learn more about how graphic organizers can aid visual learners, students with learning disabilities and ADHD, and every child in organizing and making sense out of confusing/difficult concepts.
In particular we will look at Kidspiration as a graphic organizer for students grades K-12 and provide an introductory tutorial for basic operations of the software along with a list of resources and pertinent research that supports the use of graphic organizers in the academic setting to enhance learning and thinking skills.
