1. This presentation provides important information about… * How graphic organizers make information more learnable * Why they are a LOT better than outlines * Anatomy of a graphic organizer (how cues can be embedded into graphic organizers to make them even more effective * 14 REALLY Big Ideas about Graphic Organizers * Links to an extensive collection of examples of each type of graphic organizer

2. graphic organizers reduce Information-processing demands graphic organizers serve as Elaboration catalysts How graphic organizers make info more learnable

3. Learners must discern how new content is organized The most common ways to organize information More complex topics = harder to discern organization Hierarchic Cause/effect Comparison Sequence If the organization is revealed at the lesson beginning Then students don’t have to work as hard to understand it Because the info processing demands have been reduced You can teach at MORE sophisticated levels (as opposed to having to dumb-down the curriculum) Graphic organizers reduce Information-processing demands Click on pictures to view graphic organizer examples

4. graphic organizers serve as Elaboration catalysts Reduces information to the essential, relevant ideas Shows relationships between ideas Shows how information is organized Reduces amount of language to be processed Graphic organizers reduce Information-processing demands How graphic organizers make info more learnable

5. graphic organizers serve as Elaboration catalysts Reduces information to the essential, relevant ideas Shows relationships between ideas Shows how information is organized Reduces amount of language to be processed graphic organizers reduce Information-processing demands How graphic organizers make info more learnable

6. graphic organizers serve as Elaboration catalysts graphic organizers reduce Information-processing demands Elaboration is THE most powerful memory-enhancer of semantic info Spontaneous exploration interrelated topics grappling with the ideas may be ULTIMATELY MORE IMPORTANT than the information noted on the think-sheet itself Deciding which info is relevant & how to organize it Recognizing the “depends on” factors Grappling with ideas in unusual & varied ways Making connections to existing beliefs, knowledge, & experiences Realizing there are other ways to organize the info How graphic organizers make info more learnable

7. What about outlines? Aren’t they just as a good as graphic organizers? The key is to make the ORGANIZATION of the information self-evident to the learner

8. Is the Organization of Information Visually Apparent? Outline Graphic organizer Type of information Hierarchic Compare/contrast Cause/effect Linear sequence Cycle YES NOYES NOYES NOYES Can you look at the information and see how it is organized?

9. What about outlines? Aren’t they just as a good as graphic organizers? The key is to make the ORGANIZATION of the information self-evident to the learner Outlines have a LOT of merit – Whole LOT better than nothing! Just be selective about WHEN to use them - Effectiveness is limited to hierarchic & sequential information So DO use them

10. 6 Big Ideas about Graphic Organizers  Makes information easier to understand  Separates the important from the trivia  Focuses on big ideas  Organization of ideas is self-evident to students  Reduces information processing demands needed to understand new information  Greatly enhances student elaboration © 2002 Edwin S. Ellis graphicorganizers.com 1 2 3 4 5 6

11. Using graphic organizers when teaching content… …allow you to teach information at MORE COMPLEX levels instead of dumbing it down because kids didn’t get it” © 2002 Edwin S. Ellis graphicorganizers.com

12. The power of graphic organizers comes from the nature and types of cues they provide Anatomy of a Graphic Organizer

13. Phenomena cuesStrategy cues Semantic cues Organizational cues Anatomy of a Graphic Organizer

14. Semantic cues visually shows info structure Organizational cues Phenomena cuesStrategy cues Cause / Effect Hierarchic Sequence Compare / Contrast to view samples, click on each type of organization Anatomy of a Graphic Organizer

15. Semantic cues focuses on meaningvisually shows info structure Organizational cues Phenomena cuesStrategy cues Structural Cues Generative characteristics of an idea Generative “BIG” ideas Perspectives on an idea Topic-specific critical understandings Person Group Place Issue Event Policy War Theory Process Belief Problem Invention Thing to view samples, click on each type of semantic cue Anatomy of a Graphic Organizer

16. Semantic cues focuses on meaningvisually shows info structure Organizational cues Phenomena cuesStrategy cues visually shows patterns of phenomena Chaos/control Yin*Yang Problem solving Data bending Risk Taking Tension / Reaction to view samples, click on each type of phenomena Anatomy of a Graphic Organizer

17. Semantic cues focuses on meaningvisually shows info structure Organizational cues Phenomena cuesStrategy cues visually shows patterns of phenomenastrategic processes Project-based learning Strategic Reading Strategic Writing to view samples, click on each type of strategy cue Anatomy of a Graphic Organizer

18. Semantic cues focuses on meaning visually shows info structure Organizational cues Phenomena cues visually shows patterns of phenomena Strategy cues TM Cause / Effect HierarchicCompare / Contrast Sequence Chaos/controlData bending Tension / ReactionProblem solving ConflictEvolution strategic processes Strategic Writing Project-based learning Strategic Reading Structural Cues Generative characteristics of an idea Generative “BIG” ideas Perspectives on an idea Topic-specific critical understandings Anatomy of a Graphic Organizer

19. More Big Ideas about Graphic Organizers 7. Very strong research-basis for: ACADEMICS Vocabulary Reading Writing Content Math THINKING Critical Analytical Metacognition / Strategic INFORMATION PROCESSING Find relevant info Make sense of info Relational understanding and memory of info Communicate info EXAMPLE

20. 8. Fosters “watering-up” the curriculum – - content is more learnable, so info can be taught at more complex levels –Makes the organization of information self-evident to learner Provides an array of visual & semantic cues that help the learner focus on what is important –Focuses on relational understanding, big ideas, & real-world connections –Maximizes student-elaboration of essential-to- understand information EXAMPLE More Big Ideas about Graphic Organizers

21. 9. Requires scaffolding Scaffolded assistance I do it We do it Y’all do it You do it Scaffolding complexity of the graphic organizer simple  to  complex EXAMPLE More Big Ideas about Graphic Organizers

22. 10. Highly conducive to implementing critical teaching behaviors for student engagement Knowledge activation & anticipation Frequency of correct responses Explicit /Directive  Implicit/Constructive Quality student-directed learning experiences aligned with state curriculum standards Reflective reviews EXAMPLE More Big Ideas about Graphic Organizers

23. 11. Facilitates “standards-based” instruction & assessment Planning instruction around state curriculum content standards Assessing students relational understanding of content standards EXAMPLE More Big Ideas about Graphic Organizers

24. 12. Highly conducive to innovation Integrating curriculum Block-scheduling Project-based, Problem-based, and Service- oriented learning Differentiating instruction in ways that really count More Big Ideas about Graphic Organizers

25. 13. Impact is NOT a function of whether a student is a “visual learner” Notion of visual vs. auditory vs. kinesthetic learner is a GROSS over-simplification of the learning process Student success using GOs is more a function of: Previous exposure to GOs Quality of teacher-scaffolding Complexity of subject-matter vs. student’s background knowledge of subject-matter Teacher’s commitment to use GOs More Big Ideas about Graphic Organizers

26. 14. Implementation is not automatic GOs are initiative for some, not at all for others Requires … * Leader support Fosters faculty ownership & commitment paired with explicit expectation Creates time (and tenaciously protects) so teachers can collaboratively plan and peer-support Reinforcement (formal & informal) * Long-range view * Strategic implementation plans * Coaching * Data-based feedback on (1) student outcomes and (2) quality of implementation EXAMPLE More Big Ideas about Graphic Organizers

27. TM © 2007 www.MakesSenseStrategies.com P.O. Box 267 Lillian, Al 36549 (251) 961-2407 H ierarchic C ause / Effect C ompare / Contrast S equence P rimary I ntermediate M iddle school H igh School GRADE-LEVEL Samples organized by… S ocial studies S cience M ath SUBJECT-AREA Samples organized by… S MARTsheets G Osheets TYPES of Makes Sense tools Samples organized by… S TRATEGYsheets P rocess Writing Samples by teachers & students