LTGR Ep. #54 – “Graphic Organizers”
In this episode, Susan and Dan interview Karen Franker, an expert in graphic organizers, instructional tools used to visually represent information.
Show notes:
In this episode, Susan and Dan interview Karen Franker, an expert in graphic organizers. Karen is an instructional designer for the adult student initiative program for University of Wisconsin Colleges, but she also teaches an online class for the University of Wisconsin at Stout on Inspiration & Kidspiration: K-12 Strategies to Build Study Skills & Comprehension.
A graphic organizer is in an instructional tool used to visually represent information. Venn diagrams were probably our first exposure to graphic organizers. Even a calendar could be considered a graphic organizer in that it visually organizes our information. Some other terms you might hear include webs, web diagrams, or concept maps or mind mapping.
Publishers of reading curriculum seem to be using graphic organizers more frequently in their materials, and Karen surmises that this is because more kids prefer and respond to a visual learning style, perhaps because of how they are “wired” differently due to their exposure to technology. She believes this provides an opportunity to present 21st Century learning skills to help students comprehend, organize and think critically about the information they are reading.
The teachers who are taking Karen’s class report favorable results as they use these tools with children. Graphic organizers do not teach to the test, and therefore are some schools are reluctant to introduce them. They are seen as frills or a waste of time. Writing teachers sometimes report that students moan and groan at having to organize their writing before they begin, to which Susan relates a story.
Older learners sometimes resist these tools only because they are unfamiliar. Making a diagram of important points or summarizing a chapter would be an example of an assignment Karen might give. She reports that some students are visually resistance and take a little longer to learn how to do this. Susan asks about auditory learners and Karen explains that some of these tools provide auditory support.
Favorite Tools: Inspiration and Kidspiration rise to the top. Webspiration is a new web-based tool in beta form. Vizio is another possibility. C-Map is available online.
Susan asks listeners to provide examples of how they use graphic organizers with all ages.
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December 1st, 2008 at 7:46 pm
I believe that more students are visual learners now then in the past, also. I use graphic organizers in my Language Arts classes, but see the benefits of them if they were used in other content areas. They have a tendency to put the information of the lesson in an order that students of the 21st Century can be able to follow. I have come across a web site that I plan to have my students use so that they can create graphic organizers on the computer. They enjoy using the computer so having school work done on it can be a benefit. Graphic organizers are, to me, the outline for the 21st Century. Because it is laid out in graphics , rather than text, more students are able to stay in connection with it. I have come across many styles of organizers and the students enjoy having all the choices for which they can use.
I can also relate to some people not wanting to use the organizers because of the lack of education as to the helpfulness of the device. Unfamiliarity is a big part of the picture, but like everything else, just getting involved with it will give the knowledge of being able to use the device. There is not real wrong way to use the organizers, just get information organized in a sensible learning way.