You may have to use a different kind of diagram for each type of different learner, some can read certain diagrams better than others.
Students can use diagrams to organize and layout the information so they can visualize the content. The information is more direct and easier for some to understand this learning option.
Graphic organizers will bullet point important information and can make connections between that information.
Graphic organizers are important as a visual aid. These give students an additional way to add meaning and see what is being taught. These will surely increase a student's chances of learning the material.
Earnest J. Kendall,MSN, RN-BC
Graphic organizers can help isolate information. When When student have pictures or digrahms it help to retain informaion much easier because you have a visual aid.
Kathryn,
Thank you for sharing this strategy with us. I know this will be of value to other instructors as we are always on the look out for additional methods we can use in our classes.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Joseph,
Application increases content retention which shows relevancy to students. By having tools available to them such as graphic organizers they start to see how the content can be used and where. This leads as you say to more ROI for the students in their every day lives and this greatly enhances their satisfaction with their education.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
While graphic orgnanizers are very effective for individual note taking, I like to use graphic organizers as part of small group (3-4 students)work on the white board. Students can work through the information, collaborate, and then present their solution to the rest of the class. Graphic organizers can be an effective tool for turning the focus away from the instructor by allowing the students to interact with the content and one another directly.
As an instructor, it is sad for me to observe a student that is just memorizing course-content without realizing any of the applications. I suppose that, if their mental accuity is strong enough, they may pick-up on a thing or two for future use. I do, however, believe in the cause & effect theory. By using graphic organizers, students can visualize the cause & effect, especially with procedural techniques. In other words, "To achieve a certain verifiable result, a very specific procedure must be followed in order to eliminate all other inconsistencies". When students pick-up on this strategy, they will begin to use it in their every-day lives. It is a learned skill, no doubt.
I teach English Composition, and one of the most helpful graphic organizers that we use in class is the writing process circle. I think it's helpful for students to see a visual representation of the steps to writing, and to see how the process is cyclical and repetitive; it is not in any way linear. I also encourage my students to engage in idea generating techniques when preparing for an essay. Mapping, clustering, brainstorming, sketching, diagramming are all examples of graphic organizers that help the students visualize their thoughts and focus.
Marcia,
This is such a great learning tool for the students. Thank you for sharing how it is used in your field. I know your students are taking away a strategy that they will be using for the rest of their career.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I like the scaffold organizers, I actually use them to help train the new instructors in my class as well
It really depends on the student. For a student who needs help organizing material and thoughts it can be a very effective tool for them. For students who may not need that level of structure they may find it a great way to help them review and make thier study easier.
It can help the students to know exactly which info to retain and which info can be let go.
Orgabnization always help students to better understand lecture
For some time I have used a graphic organizer, however, I wasn't aware, it was called that. In order to help nursing students, organize and analyze clinical data in a meaningful manner, and help them develop a plan of care for their patients, I introduce them to the 'Concept Map.' It can take several forms and be general or very specific; and seems to me to be a combination of problem/solution organizer and a network tree. The student diagrams the patient's problems, supporting data, interventions to help correct the problems, and evaluation. It helps to develop critical thinking, see the patient in a holistic way, and show cause and effect. After it is completed, the student gives an oral presentation to the clinical group, which assists with application and processing of knowledge for the whole group.
Tim,
This is such a valuable resource for students. By having the key concepts illustrated in some fashion they can see how the different course components come together and contribute to the big picture of their program success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
TIMOTHY,
Right you are. They are pictorial ways of illustrating how learning needs to occur and content be acquired.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
All too often, critical information can become "invisible" in the mass of course content. Using text boxes, illustrations and graphs can help draw the student's attention to these key points and help them not only retain the information, but also to apply it.
Using graphic organizers helps students to see relationships in a logical sequence that leads to possible solutions, while considering the collateral effects ,if any, of the solution(s)
