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moosehead
Joined: 05 May 2007
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 Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 6:09 pm Post subject: do you use graphic organizers? |
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I'm sure everyone does the simple ones from time to time - a table for time schedules, perhaps a venn diagram here or there - but I'm talking very sophisticated ones on a regular basis -
I've just been introduced to these to be used regularly and I think they are marvelous - a lot seem to come from Canada - so I'm wondering who out there uses them, how you use them and please can you also say what country you are from? I'd like to know about the different ways these are taught from country to country.
Thanks so much! |
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Atavistic
Joined: 22 May 2006
Location: How totally stupid that Korean doesn't show in this area.
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| Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 6:42 pm Post subject: |
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| Yes. I'm an American and a certified educator. Graphic organizers and "brain based education" were all the rage when I was earning my certificate and degree. |
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moosehead
Joined: 05 May 2007
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| Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 1:47 am Post subject: |
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| Atavistic wrote: |
| Yes. I'm an American and a certified educator. Graphic organizers and "brain based education" were all the rage when I was earning my certificate and degree. |
I came here from the business world where of course PP rules the day - and before that it was other graphic software.
I think it's fascinating to be able to use these in teaching and find them incredibly useful.
There's also something called a "mind map" which I am also incorporating into the project I'm helping to develop for an immersion program.
We are starting off the kids with these as supplements as young as 1st grade elem.
I might also add that I find these fit right in with the need for visual literacy that many people don't understand or have, even professionals.
anyone else want to comment how you are using them or have used them or if not, why not? |
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ddeubel
Joined: 20 Jul 2005
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| Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 3:27 am Post subject: |
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moosehead,
There is nothing revelatory in the use of graphic organizers as pointed out.
But also as mentioned, they should be used more. I typically see their misuse more than anything though. They are used as a handout, a fill in the categories and "hand me [teacher] in" . They are not used as discussion points or for further critical thinking.
As an example, in my storybook making workshop today I had students fill in a KWL graphic organizer. They all fastidiously did it but without discussion or collaboration. It was just, "get it done' and move to the next thing. So I had everyone hand me in their sheets and we started again.
That said, I find they can be an excellent way TOWARDS communicative language learning - and remember communication is the goal, not just writing down words and filling a sheet/space.
I can recommend many and have hundreds for download on my site. Especially like those for prestory writing and also those for organizing debates/discussion ideas. See the teaching folder on EFL Classroom 2.0
In our prof. development folder, you'll find a video I've literally spread around the world on forums. The best 20 min. of prof development available for a teacher. Tony Buzan talking about mind mapping and the lack of creative thought in education.
http://www.esnips.com/doc/e0af7148-d7b6-445a-ad1e-ba39b791c76e/Tony-Buzan---Teaching-HOW-TO-learn
Best thing though -- hand students a blank sheet of paper. Make circles or a graph and let THEM fill it in. Then you'll see "learning".
DD
http://eflclassroom.ning.com |
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moosehead
Joined: 05 May 2007
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| Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 5:22 am Post subject: |
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| ddeubel wrote: |
moosehead,
There is nothing revelatory in the use of graphic organizers as pointed out.
But also as mentioned, they should be used more. I typically see their misuse more than anything though. They are used as a handout, a fill in the categories and "hand me [teacher] in" . They are not used as discussion points or for further critical thinking.
As an example, in my storybook making workshop today I had students fill in a KWL graphic organizer. They all fastidiously did it but without discussion or collaboration. It was just, "get it done' and move to the next thing. So I had everyone hand me in their sheets and we started again.
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then I suppose you'll be quite relieved to know the program we're developing has the students create their own g.o.
it's content based as well which will add something to the English they are learning .
we're putting it in the listening/reading sections to assist w/vocab and reading comp - would like to hear more specifics about how others are using them -
thanks! |
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ddeubel
Joined: 20 Jul 2005
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OiGirl
Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Location: Hoke-y-gun
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| Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 2:51 pm Post subject: |
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I was indoctrinated into Thinking Maps at a school system in the US. (You had better not call them graphic organizers nor may you use any non-Thinking Maps tools in the classroom.)
http://www.thinkingmaps.com/htthinkmapx.php3
All told, I think they're pretty good when used properly, which they rarely are. |
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Shimokitazawa
Joined: 14 Dec 2007
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 3:05 pm Post subject: |
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Mind Maps or Semantic Maps
Yeah, good for eliciting learners' knowledge of a topic prior to a reading or listening text. Also good to use them after.
Teachers should try to appeal to different learning styles and many students are visual learners who like to see how concepts or information relate.
As a guy, I'm visual too. but that's another topic!  |
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moosehead
Joined: 05 May 2007
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| Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 5:37 pm Post subject: |
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| OiGirl wrote: |
I was indoctrinated into Thinking Maps at a school system in the US. (You had better not call them graphic organizers nor may you use any non-Thinking Maps tools in the classroom.)
http://www.thinkingmaps.com/htthinkmapx.php3
All told, I think they're pretty good when used properly, which they rarely are. |
 why couldn't you call them mind maps? I think it's a good analogy - it's what we think about how something works and we draw how we see it - and how we draw it is discussed as to whether we understand it or not - one thinks in one's mind (or supposed to anyway!) -
what grade level were you when you used them, do you recall? and did you use them more than one year in school, that is, just learn how and then that was that? do you ever use them on your own again?
as for doing them on the computer, like I said, we have all kinds of graphic programs for that - PP for instance - but yes, we have a computer program designed specifically for "mind maps" but we are designing our E program so the students will draw these theirselves, not on a computer.
I think it goes back (almost) to learning math w/pencil and paper and then use the calculator. |
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moosehead
Joined: 05 May 2007
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| Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 5:40 pm Post subject: |
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| Shimokitazawa wrote: |
Mind Maps or Semantic Maps
Yeah, good for eliciting learners' knowledge of a topic prior to a reading or listening text. Also good to use them after.
Teachers should try to appeal to different learning styles and many students are visual learners who like to see how concepts or information relate.
As a guy, I'm visual too. but that's another topic! |
I think it's an interesting idea to use them before introducing the topic - I'll think some more about that.
as for you "being a guy" making you visual? huh? everyone is visual, it's one of the reasons we humans have color vision - so as to distinguish certain aspects of the world around us - |
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The Hammer
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Location: Ullungdo 37.5 N, 130.9 E, altitude : 223 m
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| Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 7:49 pm Post subject: |
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| moosehead wrote: |
| Shimokitazawa wrote: |
Mind Maps or Semantic Maps
Yeah, good for eliciting learners' knowledge of a topic prior to a reading or listening text. Also good to use them after.
Teachers should try to appeal to different learning styles and many students are visual learners who like to see how concepts or information relate.
As a guy, I'm visual too. but that's another topic! |
I think it's an interesting idea to use them before introducing the topic - I'll think some more about that.
as for you "being a guy" making you visual? huh? everyone is visual, it's one of the reasons we humans have color vision - so as to distinguish certain aspects of the world around us - |
I think he is referring to his dominant learning style.
Examples:
Visual Learners:
learn through seeing... .
These learners need to see the teacher's body language and facial expression to fully understand the content of a lesson. They tend to prefer sitting at the front of the classroom to avoid visual obstructions (e.g. people's heads). They may think in pictures and learn best from visual displays including: diagrams, illustrated text books, overhead transparencies, videos, flipcharts and hand-outs. During a lecture or classroom discussion, visual learners often prefer to take detailed notes to absorb the information.
Auditory Learners:
learn through listening...
They learn best through verbal lectures, discussions, talking things through and listening to what others have to say. Auditory learners interpret the underlying meanings of speech through listening to tone of voice, pitch, speed and other nuances. Written information may have little meaning until it is heard. These learners often benefit from reading text aloud and using a tape recorder.
Tactile/Kinesthetic Learners:
learn through , moving, doing and touching... Tactile/Kinesthic - Hand
Tactile/Kinesthetic persons learn best through a hands-on approach, actively exploring the physical world around them. They may find it hard to sit still for long periods and may become distracted by their need for activity and exploration. |
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marlow
Joined: 06 Feb 2005
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| Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 8:15 pm Post subject: |
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| ddeubel wrote: |
I collect in .jpg the mindmaps we make and then show them in a slideshow when reviewing that material. They come out in some pretty cool forms/colours. Here's a how to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UCXalYcoko
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Wow! That looks like a completely useless way of teaching how to write an essay. |
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moosehead
Joined: 05 May 2007
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| Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 5:00 am Post subject: |
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| marlow wrote: |
| ddeubel wrote: |
I collect in .jpg the mindmaps we make and then show them in a slideshow when reviewing that material. They come out in some pretty cool forms/colours. Here's a how to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UCXalYcoko
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Wow! That looks like a completely useless way of teaching how to write an essay. |
I totally agree - no wonder K students' writing is all over the place! OMG |
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moosehead
Joined: 05 May 2007
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| Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 5:03 am Post subject: |
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| The Hammer wrote: |
| moosehead wrote: |
| Shimokitazawa wrote: |
Mind Maps or Semantic Maps
Yeah, good for eliciting learners' knowledge of a topic prior to a reading or listening text. Also good to use them after.
Teachers should try to appeal to different learning styles and many students are visual learners who like to see how concepts or information relate.
As a guy, I'm visual too. but that's another topic! |
I think it's an interesting idea to use them before introducing the topic - I'll think some more about that.
as for you "being a guy" making you visual? huh? everyone is visual, it's one of the reasons we humans have color vision - so as to distinguish certain aspects of the world around us - |
I think he is referring to his dominant learning style.
Examples:
Visual Learners:
learn through seeing... .
These learners need to see the teacher's body language and facial expression to fully understand the content of a lesson. They tend to prefer sitting at the front of the classroom to avoid visual obstructions (e.g. people's heads). They may think in pictures and learn best from visual displays including: diagrams, illustrated text books, overhead transparencies, videos, flipcharts and hand-outs. During a lecture or classroom discussion, visual learners often prefer to take detailed notes to absorb the information.
Auditory Learners:
learn through listening...
They learn best through verbal lectures, discussions, talking things through and listening to what others have to say. Auditory learners interpret the underlying meanings of speech through listening to tone of voice, pitch, speed and other nuances. Written information may have little meaning until it is heard. These learners often benefit from reading text aloud and using a tape recorder.
Tactile/Kinesthetic Learners:
learn through , moving, doing and touching... Tactile/Kinesthic - Hand
Tactile/Kinesthetic persons learn best through a hands-on approach, actively exploring the physical world around them. They may find it hard to sit still for long periods and may become distracted by their need for activity and exploration. |
Hey Hammer - I really appreciate your comments - I think maybe you are right about the other poster - anyway I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.
I'm very much a visual person - if someone tries to explain something to me verbally my eyes just glaze over - even sometimes to read instructions can be just as difficult - have always said I'm a "learn by doing" kind of person and know there are others that are the same way -
thanks a lot for your post!  |
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The Hammer
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Location: Ullungdo 37.5 N, 130.9 E, altitude : 223 m
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