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Graphic
Organizers
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In recent years graphic organizers such as
diagrams, webs, maps, charts and concept maps have
become valuable educational tools. Both teachers
and students are encouraged to use graphic
organizers to organize and present information
visually because this often allows them to convey
meaning in a way that would not be easy through
words alone. For example, elementary school
teachers use them to help even the youngest
students understand cause and effect in literature
so that children can retell the stories in their
own words. And high school teachers can use graphic
organizers to help their students understand and
explain complex scientific principles. Teachers
have discovered that these tools can be used in the
following manner:
- Analyzing:
By critically examining details, processes,
relationships, or meaning, better understanding
is achieved. Teachers and students could use
organizational charts, concept maps, or Venn
diagrams as part of their analysis.
- Brainstorming:
A problem solving technique where students are
encouraged to spontaneously, quickly, and
creatively share ideas while one person writes
them down, often in the form of a web.
- Sequencing:
Ideas or events are prioritized or ordered.
Teachers sometimes use this technique to help
students understand the relationship of events
or the hierarchy of information. This often
takes the form of a flow chart or outline.
With the increased access to computers and the
Internet in schools, software programs and Web
resources have been designed specifically to help
teachers bring this process of thinking and
learning into the classroom. Computer programs such
as Inspiration
can be used to quickly, easily, and very neatly
convey meaning to an audience.
Types of Graphic
Organizers
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Star/web
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Use to show definitions, attributes,
examples, and brainstorming
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Chart/Matrix
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Use to show attributes, comparing and
contrasting, and evaluating.
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Tree/Map
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Use to show classifications, pedigrees,
analysis, structures, attributes,
examples, and brainstorming.
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Chain/Flowchart
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Use to show processes, sequences,
causes and effects, and chronology.
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Sketch/Diagram
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Use to show physical structures,
descriptions of places, spatial
relationships, concrete objects, and
visual images.
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Bloom's
Taxonomy
Graphic Organizers can be used to promote higher
order thinking skills. Refer to this chart to
determine the type of organizer you would use to
reach each level of Bloom's Taxonomy.
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Bloom's
Level
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Type
of
Graphic Organizer
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Purpose
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Knowledge
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Spider Maps
Linear String
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to describe
item;
to describe a sequence of events,
continuum, storyboard, cycle
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Comprehension
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Hierarchy
Diagram
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to classify
items
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Application
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Flowchart
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to predict
sequence of events
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Analysis
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Fishbone Map
Concept Map
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to identify
causal relationships
to explain relationships
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Synthesis
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Idea Map
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to solve or
plan
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Evaluation
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Venn Diagram
Comparison Matrix
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to
compare/contrast two items
to compare/contrast two or more items
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Student Use of Graphic
Organizers
Whether in a learning station or a lab setting,
students can use electronic graphic organizers
across the curriculum. Visual diagrams provide a
high-level view, revealing patterns,
interrelationships, and interdependencies. They
also allow students to reduce complex information
into small parts that can be more easily understood
and learned.
- In math, students can create flow charts to
help them work through problems with numerous
steps.
- In science, they can create diagrams that
help clarify complex processes such as the water
cycle.
Teacher Use as a
Productivity Tool
There are a variety of software tools to help
teachers with all the paperwork that inevitably
comes with the job. From word processing to
electronic gradebooks to multimedia presentations,
the right software can, once you get the hang of
it, make your life easier. Inspiration is one of
these helpful tools.
Teachers can use a tool like Inspiration to
perform many administrative tasks. They
include:
- Organizing and presenting content;
- Creating learning activities; and
- Lesson planning and curriculum
organization.
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Kathy Schrock has published a good article
describing the benefits of using Graphic Organizers in an
educational setting. Read her article here.
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