this is something I don't use much-still a new instructor, but will try to incorporate it more in class, as I am a visual learner as well
I use them to outline the content of the course so that students can see how the material builds and integrates.
Many students are visual learners. This method has a sustainable effect.
Thadeus,
Right you are. This is how segmented teaching works the best. This way the segments can be chained to complete the big picture concepts for that area.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Graphic organizers keep students on track and stay focused on their progress during the class.
It allows massive amounts of information to be broken down in to smaller key points that a student can grasp simpler. It allows less memorization and more of a concept understanding.
Melissa,
They are great study aides aren't they? They really help the students as they walk through the content and then draw out the key elements from a lecture or textbook.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Brian,
Great example of using a graphic illustration. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I use graphic organizers for every chapter. It helps the students stay focused and it breaks down what are the most important points of each chapter so they don't feel overwhelmed. Then when they do completely read the chapter they can pull the facts they already have in their memory.
I use a cow with velcro on parts... they love it! helps them remember all the cuts..
Marjorie,
Good point about the value of graphic organizers. They help the students see the sequence and order of the materials they are being taught.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
For students that are not very good at note taking it is important to help them learn to recognize what is important to what are just supporting facts. The use of graphic organizers help to associate information with pictures. Pictures are the universal language of the mind and so accessing those pictures are a little easier than just trying to access new decoded information.
Steven,
Good point. I use the example of asking students the question "How do you eat an elephant?" Answer: "One bite at a time." The key is helping them to see how the smaller segments can build toward the big picture.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Monika,
Glad you like the information that has been shared. Graphic organizers helps the students to see both sequence and the big picture of concepts and their involvement in completing the organizers uses another learning sense.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
The key item for students using graphic organizers is to break down the information to be learned into smaller parts that are easier to learn. This is a great method that can be applied to any class. For an accounting class, this method allows a foundational approach to learning. Have students learn basic concepts in smaller lessons and add to them with each lesson delivered, then step back and see the big picture.
Decoding and recoding are really importnat for students to have their "Aha" momoment and I feel that will assist them in learning more of the material and applying it to the world. The Graphic Organizer is very helpful to multiple styles of learning and I think it really assists students in putting the material into processable peices. Thank you.
Thomas,
I am such a learner as well and I really value having the visual support I need when learning something new. Helps me see how the components fit together and gives me an understanding of the value of what I am learning.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Melissa,
This is a fun and supportive way to learn content. In addition they are using additional learning modes to acquire the content. Good job.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
The use of graphic organizers is always used in my class since most of my students are visual learners.By using these my students can relate a symbol or color with specific devices or circuits.
To have students chuck like material together and create a visual that is meaningul to them.
With directions, create process type maps that are color coded for different steps in a process, etc.
