Tim,
Good approach because you are creating additional learning connections between the brain, eyes and understanding.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Keeping things organized is important and so many people struggle with it that any help at all that we can give them will be valuable
We use them in our lab on a regular basis. For example we have circut boards the demonstrate all parts of an electrical circut. For the students to be able to see that in a simplified form really helps to make a difference in understanding the concept and being able to apply it to the real thing.
Sandra,
Having a pre-vet animal science degree I know what you are talking about. Graphic organizers are one of the main reasons I was able remember all of the different animals and their classifications. They work!
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Donna,
I wish you much success in your teaching! You have a great attitude about how to expand your instructional expertise and bring creativity into the classroom.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I use the graphic organizer to teach the students very complex information such as for the classification of all the anemias. In MLT the graphic organizer is essential
Thank you so much for the resource information. I will search and see what I can find! Enjoyed all the strategies in this course. The students today are not like the ones I used to teach - they keep me on my toes!
Donna,
I think you are really going to enjoy the results you get with the use of expanded graphic organizers. As for additional resources I get a lot of information about graphic organizers from websites for elementary teachers. I have found them very helpful because I can take the idea for the graphic organizer and make it age appropriate and it works great with my college students.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I probably have used graphic organizers in my teaching but did not realized that there was a name for the strategy.
I teach in a profession that requires skill building from a simple point with step-by-step guided instruction to an end point with students making decisions about which instrument/skill to use and using it. I can see how this strategy can work well in an environment like this.
Sometimes students can become frustrated early because they cannot see the "big picture" no matter how much I try to present the "big picture". They always turn the corner and see it but it seems there is a lot of frustration along the way.
I plan to consciously use some graphic organizers in planning for my next term. Do you have a suggestion of more resources on this topic?
David,
Good strategy for your students. You are providing them with great support with this method.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Sameena,
The students need the graphic connection between content and application. Diagrams and charts help to make that connection. Good strategy to follow.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I divide out the sections of the lecture that i know will be hard for the student to grasp and break them down into smaller parts introduce them individually, so as to get the student to comprehend each section and then bring them all together at the end for a complete thought or understanding.
I am sure no book of medicine is written without diagrams and summary charts (graphic organizers.)I tell my students, for me, diagrams and graphic organizers are the best way of writing notes and retaining information. They are always integral part of my lectures. I explain concepts by drawing those summary charts (graphic organizers) on the board, using different colors of markers.
Catherine,
The more integration of physical and cognitive processing you can facilitate the greater the comprehension is going to be. Good point and good strategy.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Yes, I agree with having students fill in or create their own flow charts as opposed to just viewing one that is created for them. It takes touching the information with pen and paper to make it theirs, it seems. Of course, they would much rather you hand the info to them.
Darryl,
Thanks for giving us the examples of how to use graphic organizers in different settings. They really help the students to grasp concepts and retain content.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Florita,
At the learning pace you have in your classes it is essential that your students stay on top of the content each day. You have some good strategies for them to do so and as a result they do well in the class. Good job.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I have used graphic organizers when I"m teaching the subject on measurements in the culinary field. An example: I would hand out a sheet with a large "G" (representing a gallon)printed and in that "G", four "Q"'s (representing quarts) would be printed and in each "Q", two "P"'s (representing pints) would be printed and so forth down to Cups and Tablespoons. This sheet would represent the basic equivalent formulas for measurement in volumes. Large individual letters are easier to retain than whole words and sentences for my students. It is printed large enough that a quick glance will refresh their memories.
Graphic organization of some of my topics helps to simplify the material and brings out the key points of the information I am presenting. I instruct A&P and use this technique in areas such as blood flow in the heart and in area of the nervous system.
When I start a new class I make clear to students they are in an accellerated course institution. Classes are 3 weeks long, and in one week we might be going through 5 to 6 chapters. I make clear to them their attendance is very important as missing one day might result in them not understanding the subject, or not doing well at all. So I tell them to be "on top" of what is being taught, and what they learn and study. If I use slides, I let know that most of the time those are geared toward their quizzes or exams, and highlight in their books. I If I use the books I make cleartoo, and let them highlight too. On the other hand, I do a review before exam, a couple of days before. i often tell them to make connection to what they learn, and not only memorize.
