Graphic organizer
From WikEd
[edit] Descriptions, definitions, synonyms, organizer terms, types of
A graphic organizer is an instructional tool used to illustrate a student or class's prior knowledge about a topic or section of text
"Semantic Map, structured overview, web, concept map, semantic organizer, story map, graphic organizer...No matter what the special name, a graphic organizer is a VISUAL representation of knowledge. It is a way of structuring information, of arranging important aspects of a concept or topic into a pattern using labels" (Bromley, Irwin-DeVitis,& Modlo, p. 6). Graphic organizers are one way of using Advance organizers.
Types of Graphic Organizers
- Cause-Effect Chart
- Classification Chart
- Concept Web
- KWL Chart
- Matrix
- Mind Map
- SQ3R Chart
- Sequence/Flow Chart
- Spider Map
- T-Chart
- Thinking Tree
- Time Line Chart
- Two Story Map
- Venn Diagram
In Classroom Instruction that Works: Research Based Strategies for Increasing Student Achievement, by Robert J. Marzano, Debra Pickering, and Jane E. Pollack, it is suggested that all graphic organizers can be placed into six common patterns:
- Descriptive Patterns
- Time-Sequence Patterns
- Process/Cause-Effect Patterns
- Episode Patterns
- Generalization/Principle Patterns
- Concept Patterns
Marzano feels that graphic organizers are the "most common way to help students generate nonlinguistic representation" (Marzano 75). Marzano also cites Educational Technology Research and Development by Gerlic & Jausovec (1999), where the authors write that "engaging students in the creation of nonlinguistic representations stimulates and increases activity in th brain" (73). ""
See Links (below) for Printable Graphic Organizers, Makers, and Index of Graphic Organizers
[edit] Application in classrooms and similar settings
"Graphic organizers have been applied across a range of curriculum subject areas. Although reading is by far the most well studied application, science, social studies, language arts, and math are additional content areas that are represented in the research base on graphic organizers." (Hall & Strangman, 2005)
Point of Implementation
- Before a new learning situation to set the stage, address prior knowledge, develop background or essential learning and guide thinking.
- During a new learning situation to categorize and/or organize information, raise questions for consideration, predict solutions or conclusions;
- After a new learning situation, to confirm or reject prior knowledge, relate new information to what was already known, extend new learning to other situations ;
- With material already learned, a simple way to organize or outline learning or ideas;
- When developing a piece of writing, as an effective means to organize thoughts or ideas.
[edit] Evidence of effectiveness
The studies reviewed by Tracey Hall and Niclole Strangman (2005) showed the use of graphic organizers improving comprehension and more significantly improving vocabulary knowledge. Hall and Strangman (2005) cite Moore and Readence (1984) to indicate that the use of graphic organizers has a greater effect when used after the learning material rather that before.
Relatively new is the research on computer-based graphic organizers, for example the use of the the software, Inspiration. A listing of studies supporting the effectiveness of graphic organizers on student learning is available from Inspiration, Visual Learning Research and an evaluation by the Institute of Advancement of Research in Education (IARE) at AEL for Inspiration, Graphic Organizers: A Review of Scientifically Based Research (July 2003) also supports visual learning techniques supporting student learning and performance.
[edit] Critics and their rationale
While Graphic Organizers can be a huge help to visual learners, they can often be overused in the classroom and retard the learning of other students in the classroom. The visual representation of the information can take more time to construct and also lack the depth of organizational systems. Advanced students can become bored of what feels like excessive time wasted on making ideas easier to read when they already understood the concept. Forcing all students to use graphic organizers can repress the free thinking and creative of many students. It should be seen as an aid, not a foundation.
[edit] Alternative explanations due to Diversity considerations
Good teaching strategies are good for everyone!
[edit] Signed "life experiences", testimonies and stories
Testimonial by B. Moore
I have used graphic organizers to help me teach Jr. High Geography. Graphic organizers give students a purpose to their reading. Students who struggle in school often need this purpose to motivate themselves for the activity. I use Venn Diagrams the most in my classroom. It is a very easy format that works well when comparing and contrasting two countries, continents, landforms, culture, etc. These diagrams also are good prewriting activities for students. I have also used Inspiration to make concept maps for my students. This allows them to see how things in class are connected.
Testimonal by C.McCulley I have used graphic organizers and concept maps with my art students, especially during art critique. I find it helps them organize their thoughts before they speak about their artwork. We specifically focus on four things in an art critique Describe, Analyze, Discuss, and Interpret. I think having a visual model or image helps them to visual see connections between the artwork and the objectives of the assignment.
Testimonial by J. Vallowe
- I have used concept maps in my biology classes. At first students need a lot of support in the construction of their maps. However, they become more proficient through practice and use of these maps. Students develop better relationships between concepts as evidenced in their verbal and written explanations. -- Janet Vallowe
Testimonial by H. Savoca
- Using graphic organizers promotes organization of text, whether it be in reading or writing. Graphic organizers foster metacognition and offer techniques for sorting information. These templates help readers dissect information. They often incorporate signaling techniques or fit predetermined, common modalities of text prganiztaion/structure. I use graphic oragnizers in both writing and reading instruction in my classroom. Currently, I am using a "pillar" that guides students through writing expository essays, as well as a summary graphic oragnizer which allows my students to identify main ideas vs. insignificant details in reading passages, while enhancing retelling skills. I applaud the use of graphic organizers and find them to be an effective means of promoting learning in my classroom. --Heidi M. Savoca
Testimonial by N. Frick
- Using graphic organizers has really helped me with my guided reading instruction. I have found that it gives students a focal point. As they are reading and thinking about what they have read, graphic organizers give students and easy way to organize their thoughts. I have also used a 4-square graphic organizer for writing expository and persuasive papers. The 4-square really helps struggling writers to get their thoughts in order, and it gives the better writers a good place to start from. With proper instruction and teacher modeling, graphic organizers are great resources for both students and teachers.\
Testimonial by N. Meeker
- I use graphic organizeers before every writing assignment that I give my sixth graders. I have just received Inspiration and will use it next year with every student. I think it will be a major help for those students who have difficulty organizing their thoughts. Inspiration will much more quickly show them the possibilities. I also taught public speaking for many years and this program would have been beneficial in those classes also. We also use graphic organizers throughout the study of novels, beginning with KWL. we are currently studying Tom Sawyer and students are finding out that they cannot depend on the Hollywood version- that some of the things they thought they knew about the story are quite different in Mark Twain's original story. N. Meeker
Testimonial by D. Heater For part of a project I added an essay to a recent test. The coop teacher that I was working with was not sure her students would be able to write an essay as they had not needed to do so all year. We spent some time using graphic organizers to help them prepare first listing all the pertinant information and then putting it into a Venn diagram. On the test itself we gave them a chart to fill out prior to writing the essay. to this teachers surprise a vast majority of the students completed the essay, and did so well!
An excellent way to integrate technology into the classroom, related to graphic organizers, is to use Inspiration or Kidspiration software. Although the software is not free, it is very beneficial for the development of writing and higher order thinking. A nice feature of the software is the ability to switch between chart and outline formats. If an chart (graphic organizer) is edited the changes are automatically made in the outline and vice-versa. This allows students to use a graphic organizer to plan a story and then view the outline to begin writing.--Benish 22:34, 30 Apr 2005 (CDT)
Testimonial by Bonnie I have used graphic organizers for years. I find them highly effective. They are a good use of time and the students walk away from my instruction with information that is well organized and easily read. I teach science but much of my instruction begins with teaching my students to read and make sense of scientific information.
Testimonial by K. Kleckauskas:
I frequently use graphic organizers in both my language arts and Spanish classes. There are many effective ways of using graphic organizers. Of course, graphic organizers are great tools to help students organize their thoughts in preparation for a writing assignment, but they can also be excellent tools for students comparing and contrasting two things, such as a book that was read and the movie version. Usually, this can be done by using a Venn Diagram or "Y" chart. In Spanish, I have used a Venn Diagram for students to compare and contrast Mexican Independence Day to Independence Day here in the U.S. Rather than simply reading about the differences, this gives students an engaging way to sort through the information pertaining to both holidays and to visualize the similarities and differences.
One of the more interesting graphic organizers I have seen recently is in the area of social studies. A teacher at University Laboratory High School (Urbana) has developed a program that uses flowcharts to show the "flow" of history. World history at Uni High is now taught this way to all students, and american history is being considered. Not only do the students learn the cause and effect of historical events, but they see interesting things like cycles, branches and consolidations. See Chris Butler's Flow of History - M. Cornell
As a special educator, my students use a graphic organizer when preparing to write any type of writing assignment. They did not initially want to use it, but since the implementation of them, they don't want to stop using them. I think it helps them get their thoughts down in an organized manner and gives them the structure that wouldn't just come to them if they were just to begin writing. I have seen a huge improvement in my kids writing since graphic organizers were implemented! Gay Cabutti
[edit] References and other links of interest
[edit] Links
Graphic Organizers - Five main types, and examples of each.
Tools for Reading, Writing, & Thinking This is a fantastic resource for graphic organizers. The graphic organizers are broken down by subject (reading or writing) and has a description of each document. You can also be directly linked to organizers that complement reading strategies, as well as rubrics for various writing and speaking activities.
Resources useful in writing - including graphic organizers, mind mapping, and concept mapping.
[edit] References
Bromley, K., Irwin-DeVitis, & Modlo, M. (1995). Graphic Organizers. Scholastic Professional Books: New York.
Cruikshank, Dona. "Module 6 Graphic Organizers." LCE-Learner Centered Education. Retrieved March 23, 2005 from http://www.learnercentereded.org/Courses/RSL/Module6.htm
Hall, Tracey and Strangman, Nicole. "Graphic Organizers." National Center on Accessing the General Curriculum Publications. Retrieved March 23, 2005 from Center for Applied Special Technology Universal Design for Learning http://www.cast.org/publications/ncac/ncac_go.html
Institute of Advancement of Research in Education (IARE) at AEL for Inspiration. (July 2003). Graphic Organizers: A Review of Scientifically Based Research. Retrieved March 23, 2005 from http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:juJ2GVrOWa8J:www.engagingminds.com/inspiration/Kidspiration_Inspiration/fullrearch.pdf+evidence+%22graphic+organizers%22+effective+learning&hl=en&client=safari
Marzano, Robert, Debra Pickering, and Jane E. Pollack. Classroom Instruction that Works: Research Based Strategies for Increasing Student Achievement. Alexandria, VA: ASCD, 2001.
