Graphic organizers provide students different aspects of completing taska, with a vsiual point of reference to see steps of learning and problem solving.
I have used graphic organizers in several courses as a tool for writing. Rather than creating a traditional outline with roman numerals, the graphic organizer is used to begin to put thoughts and structure to a paper. Most of the students in my course had not been in class for several years and were a little intimidated by the thoughts of having to write a formal paper. However, once they completed the graphic organizer, they felt confident to complete the assignment. I like the graphic organizer because it works will all age groups.
An example I used in a Public Relations class just today was a board with the ideas generated from interviewing a client. The scenario was the students in teams were a PR firm. The firm was interviewing their new client to develop a press release to gain media attention for the client. The client scenario was that she was an emerging designer with a new collection and a few celebrity clients. She also was a vegetarian, single Mom, lived in a loft, and had created a child-sitting co-op with other entrepreneurial moms. I had a picture of the Mom and then the board had graphics of different ideas that could be generated for PR stories. The students loved the idea of using a visual before they even attempted to set pen to paper to write the press release.
Dr. Faulk
It helps them tie information together in a picture.
Being able to track data easily through visuals is a helpful technique in addition to notetaking. Visual handouts are effective.
Mignonne,
You make a very good point about compartmentalization and why it is so important for students to be able to do this in their learning process. When they do then the content doesn't seem overwhelming and they are able to work through the sections they need to learn.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Cheyney,
I agree and have use Venns many times and many different situations. A clear and concise way to show the interaction and/or integration of different elements/contents/ingredients in the final product.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Many students become overwhelmed with large quantities of information, but when I focus on the important sections and compartalize it, they tend to retain the content easier and feel more comfortable.
two words...Venn diagrams. This is a tool that I use alot to show that cooking is about understanding the science of what is happening and not the ingredients used to cause the science. For example when trying to explain the differences between sauteeing chicken and shrimp. Get to recipes that use the sautee cooking method and then set about to determine that truly the only difference in the two is that shrimp react differently to hot fat than chicken. Beyond that...the exact same rules apply.
Richard,
Thank you for these comments about the value and use of graphic organizers. They are a great resource when used in the right settings.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Well, this will particularly work with people who are visual learners and can see the material laid out. It certainly is a change from just hearing a lecture. But it is also a useful tool for accessing information in a coherent, organized way, tracing it out rather than seeing it as just a jumble of miscellaneous facts.
Kelly,
Yes, it does. They can be really valuable study aides for the students as they help them see the parts as well as the whole of what they are studying.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
it helps them to isolate important information. I usually use this when it comes to test questions.
Susan,
I like them for this reason as well. They help students to see both the components as well as the big picture of what is being studied.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
In like graphic organizers as it helpsd students look at content in a more broader margin and helps them with memory
Richele,
You are providing a great training tool to and for your students. As they move through your course they are gaining perspectives about how to problem solve and see the big picture in relation to the content being studied. As a result their transition from the classroom to the work world will be easier and more productive.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
graphic organizers can help the students isolate key points. I use graphic organizers, step by step method to problem solving. such as identify the problem (assessment) indetify solutions, plan to solve the problem, then evaluate the results and revise as necessary. an example would be steps in the revenue cycle, then I give a real life situation problem for the students to solve.
David,
Good analysis of how your approach is graphically giving the students an idea of how the big picture comes together in getting an engine functioning properly. They see the parts and then the whole and the more accurately they see how each system contributes to engine success the better prepared they are going to be when they are out in the workplace.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
In my class the use of component diagrams could be concidered what you refer you as graphic organizers.Lets say an automotive engine has multiple sub systems which contain several components.Using diagrams students can learn all the components that make up each system. Then combining all the systems together to make up a complete engine.Also along the way learning how each system woks together to make up the big picture.
Erin,
Very good point in your last sentence about the use of graphic organizers in the application of information. Instructors need to help students to use them in this area as well because the results are a much higher retention of the content.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
