Graphic organizers can be useful in brainstorming ideas, particularly in the task definition phase of research. Graphic organizers also provide ways to help students organize the information and data conceptually. Organizers can be helpful in viewing both qualitative (text) and quantitative (numbers) data graphically. The assignments for this unit will focus on graphic organizers, flowcharts, and spreadsheet charts and graphs. Inspiration is a popular software program for creating graphic organizers and flow charts but you can also recreate these types of documents using Word, Powerpoint, and other professional flow chart software programs. A flow chart allows you to create visual representation of the sequence.
What
are Graphic Organizers?
 | A Visual Representation of Knowledge | ||||||||||||||
| Way
of Structuring Information into Organizational Patterns | ||||||||||||||
| Way
to Facilitate Pre-reading, Post-reading, Prewriting, Revising, Discussing, and
Reasoning | ||||||||||||||
| Way
to Promote Active Learning | ||||||||||||||
| Highly
Effective Tool for Improving Social Interaction and Collaboration | ||||||||||||||
| Provide
a Framework for What is to be Learned | ||||||||||||||
| Way to Access Student's Previous Experiences and Knowledge | ||||||||||||||
| Way
to Provide Scaffolding for Students Tapping Prior Knowledge
|
Theory
Behind Use of Graphic Organizers
| Present what is essential and connect concepts when important information is isolated. |
| File new information into an existing framework based on schema that already contains specific information about that concept. Retrieves prior knowledge and provides a framework on which to attach new knowledge. |
| Visual graphic containing key ideas and information is easier to remember. |
| Use of visual and verbal language to create graphic organizers promotes active learning. |
| Learner is engaged through listening, speaking, reading, writing, and thinking. |
Four
Basic Patterns of Knowledge Organization
Hierarchical
| Pattern includes a main concept with ranks, or levels, or subconcepts. |
| Generalizations and Classifications |
Conceptual
| Pattern includes a central idea, category, or class with supporting facts. |
| Description, collection, problem/solution, and comparison/contrast. |
| Venn diagram of two overlapping circles may be used to represent comparisons or contrasts. |
Sequential
| Pattern arranges events in chronological order |
| Linear - specific beginning and end |
| Cause/effect |
| Process/Product |
| Problem/Solution |
Cyclical
| Pattern includes series of events within a process in circular formation |
| No beginning or end - Continuous sequence of events |
| Information in a series, succession, cycle |
Benefits
of Graphic Organizers
| Focus attention on key elements |
| Help integrate prior knowledge with new knowledge |
| Enhance concept development |
| Enrich reading, writing, and thinking |
| Aid writing by supporting planning and revision |
| Promote focused discussion |
| Assist instructional planning |
| Serve as assessment and evaluation tool |
Browse
through Graphic
Organizers on the Web
| SCORE - http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/actbank/torganiz.htm |
| http://www.graphic.org/ |
| TeacherVision Printables - http://www.teachervision.com/lesson-plans/lesson-6293.html |
| Education Place - http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/ |
| Write Design Online - http://www.writedesignonline.com/organizers/ |
| MCREL - http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/students/learning/lr1grorg.htm |
| 4 Blocks Literacy Framework - http://www.k111.k12.il.us/lafayette/fourblocks/graphic_organizers.htm |
| Inspiration in the Classroom - http://www.inspiration.com/productinfo/inspiration/using_insp/index.cfm |
Types of Graphic Organizers
Unit Three course documents includes additional material on graphic organizers, including a Powerpoint presentation with templates for creating assignment documents, hand-outs, and overheads. You will want to look through other graphic organizer designs on the web. Go to the Graphic Organizer course document for a complete description and demonstration of graphic organizers. These are the basic designs created in an old free program called Visiolte.
| The Venn Diagram is a conceptual organizer with overlapping circles representing information that is being compared and contrasted. | 
|
| Hierarchical Organizer includes a main concept and the ranks, or levels, of sub-concepts under it (generalizations and classifications). | 
|
| The Sequential Organizer arranges events in chronological order (process/product or problem/solution). | 
|
| The
Planning Organizer
Great for thematic planning with integrated subjects or multiple intelligence planning. |
|
| The Cyclical Organizer includes a series of events within a process in a circular formation with no beginning and no end (a continuous sequence of events in a cycle). | 
|
| The Cause and Effect Organizer - arranges cause and effect events in chronological order. | 
|
| The Conceptual Organizer includes central ideas, categories, or classes with supporting facts such as characteristics or examples (description, collection, problem/solution, comparison/contrast). | 
|
| The Overlapping Concepts Organizer - pattern includes a central idea, category, or class with supporting facts with overlapping areas used to represent information that is being compared and contrasted (overlapping areas of commonality). | 
|
Although Powerpoint is primarily a presentation program, it provides a great tool for creating overheads or student assignments with graphic organizers. Here are examples of Powerpoint graphic organizers.
Flow charts can be created in Word or Powerpoint. It takes a little more effort than using a program like Inspiration, but it can be done.
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|
Smart Draw (graphic below) |
