Graphic Organizers: Graphic organizers are visual thinking tools that demonstrate relationships between facts, concepts, or ideas, and guide your thinking as you design the map or diagram. Graphic organizers can help to visualize and construct ideas, organize and/or sequence information, plan what to write, increase reading comprehension, brainstorm, organize problems and solutions, compare and contrast ideas, show cause and effect, and more. The ability to color-code thoughts in a picture can help significantly in understanding and remembering the information. Dr. Parrott uses graphic organizers in notes, assignments and they are required on all crib sheets in preparation for every test/exam. Graphic organizers aid students in developing critical thinking and other higher order thinking skills. (Brookbank, et.al., 1999; DeWispelaere & Kossack, 1996) Graphic organizers are a helpful tool for improving retention and recall of information for students at all age and skill levels. (Bos & Anders, 1992; Ritchie & Volkl, 2000) Graphic organizers may help students develop stronger problem-solving and general mathematical skills and knowledge. (Braselton & Decker, 1994; Monroe & Orme, 2002) Graphic organizers may help second language learners improve higher order thinking skills. (DeWispelaere & Kossack, 1996) Graphic organizers seem to be quite beneficial for use with learning disabled students, as they help students comprehend content area material, organize information, and retain and recall content. (Boyle & Weishaar, 1997; Gardill & Jitendra, 1999; Kim et al., 2004) |