Benefits of Using Graphic Organizers in the Classroom
 Using graphic organizers in the classroom aides teachers in making concepts
easier to grasp to students about topics they need to study. Education in the
21st century made learning even more fun with the integration of new study
techniques. Instead of traditional note-taking, students are now able to study
using visuals like diagrams or webs. With many students falling under the
category of visual learners, graphic organizers play an essential role in the
classroom. Considered as one of the most effective strategies for teaching and
learning, graphic organizers can be used in many different areas of the
curriculum. This is because it enables broad topics to be easily broken down
into specifics.
What is a graphic organizer?
Graphic organizers are tools used to show connections between concepts. A
spatial arrangement of ideas, it helps learners reduce broad topics into more
specific and easier concepts. Also known as concept maps or diagrams, it serves
as a visual aid to facilitate comprehension and connection between concepts. It
helps facilitate understanding by providing a semantic association between ideas
or thoughts, making the learner able to visualize ideas. Since these tools can
be used in many areas of study, it is helpful to students of all age groups.
Types of Graphic Organizers
Basically, graphic organizers used in the classroom organize ideas into
concepts, sequence, dates or groups. Since it is constructed mostly from ideas
contributed by the students, recalling information is simple. The most popular
types of these learning tools are the web, map, plots, and Venn diagram.
1. Web - This is
usually utilized to give definitions, examples or list of related ideas:
2. Map - This is generally used to show the sequence of events, relate
characteristics, classifications, similarities, and descriptions:
3. Chart - This is
commonly used to illustrate cause and effect, enumerate characteristics or
descriptions and identify parts of a broader topic:
4. Venn Diagram -
This is used to compare and contrast attributes of two things:
Benefits of Graphic Organizers
Here are the top five reasons graphic organizers are beneficial in the
classroom:
1. Engaging for
learners. According to recent studies, students learn more
when the stimulus is visual. With majority of students considered visual
learners, making use of graphic organizers help put together thoughts. Since
there are several types to choose from, students won’t get tired of learning a
variety of content.
In addition to attractive designs, graphic organizers offer
the chance to complete tasks hands-on. This enables them to break down abstract
concepts into simpler ones, making classifications and communication even less
challenging. As they get themselves familiar with this educational design, they
can function independently after several teacher-guided activities.
 2. Aid the thinking process. When students are in charge of organizing
information, they do not only develop skills in establishing relationships
between concepts but are also giving brains a stretch. When expose to different
types of graphic organizers, they devise ways to attack the demands of the task
at hand. As they deepen understanding of concepts, lessons are internalized,
making it a part of schema. As ideas are visually represented, brainstorming is
made easier. Additionally, as students take an active role in processing
information, it gives them the opportunity to learn from their mistakes and
discover their preferred learning style.
3. Improves comprehension. Truly, “a picture paints a thousand words” as even
the most complicated idea can be broken down into simpler ones by simple
illustrations. Textbooks used in the basic education level have a lot of
pictures because imagery enhances understanding. As effective study guides,
graphic organizers provide students with general overview of the topics they
study, their patterns, and the facts related to the concept being discussed in
the classroom.
This can enhance understanding and memorizing. In
reading
classes, comprehension can be out of reach as words may be too difficult, or
sentences are complex. With this, students find it hard to figure out how each
part completes the others and vice versa. This problem is, fortunately,
addressed by graphic organizers.
4. Foster retention. The human mind stores and organizes information learned.
When ideas are understood, it is easily retained in the mind, making it
accessible for use when needed. With graphic organizers providing the visuals
for a mental storage, remembering is supported and critical thinking skills are
developed as sets of retained information are assimilated. As they visualize
what was learned, manipulation of ideas that made up the schema is easy.
This in
turn will aid them in expressing thoughts into words. Spatial learning tools are
known to provide opportunities for extracting and remembering information.
Graphic organizers are considered a type of scaffolding for learners to
establish relationship between what was previously learned and the new materials
being studied.
5. Helps improve achievement. In 2007, a study by Anne Ford mentioned that
“learning disabilities cannot be cured, but they can be treated successfully” as
she saw the role played by graphic organizers in improving the achievement level
of students with learning disabilities. Further, other studies suggest that the
demand for students to master so much information about subject areas hinders
the achievements of even the average student. Because students, both regular and
those with learning difficulties, are participants in finding connections
between concepts,
facilitation of knowledge acquisition was improved.
In a study
conducted by Barron and Stone, it was presented that those learners with
exposure to graphic organizers as study aids were able to manipulate test on
vocabulary with ease. Additionally, it stated that graphic organizers are
facilitative when students trained to use them were to apply what was learned
from explicit instructions.
Conclusion
Lines, charts, maps, or webs that represent ideas may look elementary at
first glance, but graphic organizers provide frameworks for connecting new ideas
with schema. There are compelling reasons why using graphic organizers in the
classroom is beneficial. First, it makes materials easier to comprehend and
remembered than when lessons are just dictated or copied. It makes ideas more
specific, giving the students a chance to grasp concepts at their level of
understanding. When they are able to keep a clear mental picture of the topic
discussed, it aids them in explaining what they have mastered orally.
Second,
visual representations of topics are powerful ways to assist learners in
understanding. As the exposure to many types of graphic organizers continues,
students can exhibit the depth of their understating of a topic by the
complexity of relationships or connections illustrated on their versions of the
visual learning aid. Third, it trains students to make use of strategies that
fit their learning preferences. When they master patterns of breaking down ideas
and establishing connections, thinking is enhanced and learning is made possible
no matter how difficult a concept is. Additionally, the quality and creativity
of the student-made graphic organizers can indicate how well the student grasps
the ideas of learning, indicating how much potential is present.
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