Ask yourself these questions.
What are Kidspiration and Inspiration?
What are some different graphical organizers I could try?
How can graphical organizers be used in learning?
Graphic organizers are tools that are multi purpose, instructional tools that are flexible and endless. The commonality is they show the order and completeness of a student’s thought process. They also show the students strengths and weaknesses of understanding. They are ideal for all learners because most use short words or phrases.
Graphic organizers are great for visual thinkers. It is a great way for them to arrange their ideas. There are many names for graphic organizers such as visual maps mind mapping and visual organizers. Many students will use pencil and paper to plan but computers have given them the advantage to do editing.
Graphic organizers are used for brainstorming ideas to presenting a product. After completing a unit a teacher may use a large map for review or is a book was read aloud a character map would be used. In activities that require critical thinking these graphic organizers are a great help.
When using graphic organizers you remove the words and focus on the connections. The students will find new ways to think and understand the information. The students will understand what they are thinking by taking a different perspective. The students will get the big picture of a topic with just one single picture. They will have the option to edit or add to the visual map. They can be used for planning tools, whether it is information to developing a product.
Listed below are seven ways graphic organizers can be used in technology:
Inspiration software used for organizing ideas
Shareware organizers-visual planning ideas
Online generators
Paint and draw software-create concept maps and webs
Word processor-brainstorming
Spreadsheet-create the table of ideas
Digital Camera
If you want to see which graphic organizer works best for you try three different ones. Ask yourself what kind of thinking is required for each. Consider which graphic organizers work the best for the different problems.
I will show you an example of a graphic organizer used in a school to help students visualize the thinking process. This would be a story map without the diagram.
Title: Corduroy by Don Freeman
Characters: Corduroy, the bear, Lisa, Mother Watchman
Setting: toy store
Problem: Corduroy wants a home.
Chain of Events:
1. Lisa wants to take Corduroy home.
2. Corduroy costs too much and was missing a button.
3. That night Corduroy tries to find his button.
4. The watchman finds him and takes him back.
5. Lisa returns the next day to buy Corduroy.
Solution: Corduroy gets a new home.
Add up the Facts
Corduroy is a lovable character.
Illustrations match the text.
Setting is believable.
Problem is realistic.
Teddy Bears are common in a child’s life.