How does this traditional reading tool help develop
strong readers?
Once students are familiar with how to create and interpret graphic
organizers, they can use them to speed up communication because
visual symbols are quickly and easily recognized. The visual aids used
in graphic organizers help people organize, remember and recall information.
They explain complex relationships among elements with a minimum
use of text and they can help clarify concepts that cannot be communicated
through words. Having students create their own concept maps fosters a
meta-cognitive awareness of how they are making meaning and
encourages them to be more aware of how their understanding of a concept
changes as new ideas are added and reviewed by reading more text or participating
in discussion. (Read more at Julie's Suite101
article)
Some traditional examples of graphic organizer formats: SCORE's
Resources |
How does technology
enhance this traditional reading tool?
By designing graphic organizers and concept maps using computers, students
can
-
build concrete connections between new concepts and revise/enhance at various
stages in the reading process
-
draw connections between fictional characters and themselves and revise
for different purposes with different electronic versions
-
Fiction: Connecting with Maniac Magee (my home, compare/contrast with home
for Maniac Magee)
-
enhance background knowledge by exploring visual connections to new vocabulary
concepts (convert to outline, web, essay, powerpoint)
-
use age-appropriate tools to enable young readers to creatively construct
connections
-
construct better understandings of cause-effect relationships
Additional Resources at Inspiration,
Kidspiration,
the Graphic Organizer Index,
NRCEL's
Organizers, and templates from TeacherVision
and Eduplace |