I find graphic organizers is a good way for students to remember content without getting "bogged" down in verbage or wordy definitions. They seem to understand the info better than simply memorizing words. Graphic Organizers can be very helpful in not just retention of information but application of information!
Joseph,
Good way to approach teaching complex information. As you mention once they see the smaller segments or units of the content the better they will be able to visualize the big picture or outcomes needed for success in relation to procedures used in the field.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Graphic organizers are useful in presenting complex information not only visually, but succinctly. Students tend to manage details that are presented graphically, so I will often translate complex text into simple graphics that I project on a screen during my lecture. Students may also access these graphics through the class portal.
Edward,
Seeing the whole as well as understanding the parts is an essential element in your field. You are helping your students to see both as they develop their knowledge and skills in ways to break down an animal into the parts that they will be using in their dish preparation.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Graphic organizers can help students to visualize relationships between concepts. This type of study aid is also very beneficial for visual learners.
In the class I teach, there is the fabrication of whole animals into smaller parts, (meat fabrication and cookery). I tell them to not be intimidated by the whole animal, but once you know where to begin cutting, the process is more manageable. I use tis as well in the classroom when we start a new section. I give them a study guide and from there we go through it piece by piece.
Bryce,
Many learners need that extra reinforcer in terms of information that is being shared. The use of graphic organizers helps the students to see the big picture of the topic being discussed and then how the smaller segments fit together.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Jenni,
Good plan and yes, they can write in the provided space. I use guided notes in this way because during our lecture time I know the students have the key topics because I have listed them and underneath each topic I have given them 3-5 lines on which they write the relative ideas as we discuss them. At the end of the class they have a good set of notes and I have helped them to develop better note taking skills.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
graphic organizers can give students a visual outlook on the subject allowing them to learn more especially those who learn visually.
In our graphic design classes I give basic bullet points on the project sheet telling the student what to do first, second etc. The projects will be easier to complete by following the outline. It seems that with most students, the words on the page mean very little and some of them never even read it.
I am going to recreate the project sheet with a sequence of boxes so that they can see why it is important to complete each exercise in sequence. Usually we make them turn in a "process book" to show the order of their ideas and implementation. Maybe they could simply write in the provided space on my new order chart, how they implemented that part of the process.
Leslie,
Not only are you showing them graphically what you are teaching you are also giving them note taking skills since they are mimicking your drawings in their notes. You are providing them with a couple of very valuable resources.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I utilize the whiteboard a lot. I am a visual learner and I have see what I am hearing in order to make understand it. I draw pictures and use boxes and lines to help show the relationships between the concepts I am trying to teach. I have often observed my students mimicking my drawings in their note taking. I need to work harder on more review processes.
Robert,
This is how I use guided notes as well. Many of my students do not have good study skills so the guided notes help them to identify the key points and then locate the supporting concepts under these points.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I liked the guided forms to help students with note taking and leaning how to pick out the important components
Timothy,
Thank you for these strategies of how your students use graphic organizers. I know these ideas will be valuable to other instructors, especially those instructors that are just starting to use them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Cynthia,
Graphic organizers have so many applications that students can make as they work through the course content. I think they are one of the most important tools the students can use and put into their learning "toolboxes".
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree, the scaffolding strategy is critical in developing the students episodic, sematic, and working memories.
By using graphic organizers I can isolate the important concept that the students need to retain. I will organize the concept into an organizational form so that students can apply and retain what they have learned. I will then build on that retained knowledge with the next concept.
Graphic organizers will help students breakdown an overwhelming amount of information into usable information that they can retain.
I have students use graphic organizers to make a visual picture of difficult concepts - often with
funny characters. This will break the tension of in depth lectures.
George,
This is a double connection for students and as a result they should be able to see the value associated with the content being studied.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
